When was the Wave Cops released?

Wave Cops was released in 1996.

🏛 Boat

Set #4012

Wave Cops

Wave Cops is a charming throwback to classic LEGO boats.

Before you buy

Who it's for: Ages 6+ · Beginner build Ideal for younger builders or collectors who enjoy vintage LEGO sets
Build: 99 pieces · about 1.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Price: $19.99 list price · 20.2¢ per piece
Availability: Likely retired

★★★☆☆ 3.8 community rating from 41 ratings

Fans appreciate the nostalgic charm and simplicity of Wave Cops, praising its classic LEGO design and play features. However, some find the set overpriced for its piece count and limited building complexity, especially compared to modern LEGO sets.

$19.99

Best Price

$17.99

You Save

10% OFF

📝 Our Take

AI-assisted editorial summary, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

Wave Cops is a charming throwback to classic LEGO boats. Released in 1996, this set captures the essence of LEGO's simpler, yet engaging designs from that era, offering a nostalgic building experience with a focus on playability.

This set is perfect for LEGO enthusiasts who appreciate vintage sets and maritime themes. The build is relatively straightforward, making it accessible for younger builders, while the set's rarity and rising value make it an attractive addition to any serious collection.

Skip this if you're exclusively interested in highly detailed, modern LEGO sets. Those seeking complex building techniques or large-scale models may find this set lacking. Consider instead modern City Coast Guard sets for a more contemporary building experience.

✨ New

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🧱 Building Experience

AI-assisted build estimate, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

🧩

Pieces

⏱

1.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Beginner

Difficulty

Build Highlights:

Simple, yet effective boat design
Functional winch adds playability
Classic LEGO building techniques
Easy to modify and customize

📈 Investment Analysis

AI-assisted investment analysis, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

↑ Trending up since release

B+

Investment Grade

⏳ Retired

Wave Cops presents a solid investment opportunity due to its age, rising price trend, and the enduring appeal of LEGO boats. While the piece count is relatively low, its status as a retired set from the 1990s contributes to its increasing value. Collectors seeking to diversify their LEGO portfolio with vintage sets may find this to be a worthwhile addition. However, potential investors should be aware that the appreciation rate may fluctuate based on market demand and condition of the set.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

📖 About This Set

You’re in command of the seas when you build and drive this awesome police boat. Walkie talkies and megaphones put the power of communication in your hands. Then use the working winch to reel in those who break the law!

• Approximately 8 1/2" long

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Compared to modern LEGO City Coast Guard sets, Wave Cops offers a simpler, more nostalgic building experience. While newer sets boast higher piece counts and more intricate designs, Wave Cops stands out for its classic charm and vintage appeal. Collectors seeking a taste of LEGO's past may prefer this set over its contemporary counterparts.

2 Minifigures Included

Policeman with Life Jacket

2x included

The set includes two identical Policeman minifigures with life jackets, which are typical for LEGO Town sets of this era. While not particularly rare, they add to the set's playability and collectibility.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count: 99
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 53 unique parts, 90 pieces
Minifigures: 2

LEGO counts 99 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 100, including the 10 parts inside the minifigures; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

Missing a piece? Check this set piece by piece, with look-alike colors flagged and element IDs for replacements.

String Cord Mediu...

Part #: 14728c30 1× Black

Sticker Sheet for...

Part #: 170903 1× [No Color/Any Color]

Wing, Tail 4 x 1 x 3

Part #: 2340 2× White

Glass 2 x 3 for H...

Part #: 2348b 1× Trans-Dark Blue

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 2349b 1× White

Boat 25 x 10 x 4 ...

Part #: 2372c01 1× Black

Part #: 2445 1× White

Wedge Plate 3 x 3...

Part #: 2450 4× White

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 2540 1× Light Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 2540 1× Red

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2555 1× Light Gray

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2555 1× White

Part #: 2585 1× Black

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 6× Black

Brick 1 x 1

Part #: 3005 2× Black

Brick 1 x 6

Part #: 3009 3× Black

Brick 1 x 4

Part #: 3010 1× Light Gray

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 1× Red

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 1× Black

Part #: 3039pr0005 1× White

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3039pr9958 1× White

Tile 2 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3068bpr0076 1× White

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 2× Trans-Dark Blue

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 1× Trans-Red

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 1× Trans-Green

Plate 1 x 8

Part #: 3460 1× Red

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3660 2× Black

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3679 1× Light Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3680 1× White

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 1× White

Steering Stand 1 ...

Part #: 3829c01 1× Blue

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3839b 1× Light Gray

Brick Sloped 33° ...

Part #: 3939 1× White

Brick Sloped 33° ...

Part #: 3939 2× Trans-Light Blue

Equipment Radio [...

Part #: 3962b 1× Black

Part #: 4289 1× White

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 4315 1× White

Equipment Weapon,...

Part #: 4349 1× Light Gray

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 2× Light Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4595 1× Light Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4623 1× White

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 1× Light Gray

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 1× White

Panel 1 x 2 x 1 [...

Part #: 4865a 4× Trans-Light Blue

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 6019 1× White

Brick 1 x 10

Part #: 6111 2× Light Gray

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Trans-Yellow

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Red

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 1× Light Gray

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 1× Trans-Red

Brick Wedged, Ang...

Part #: 6564 1× Black

Brick Wedged, Ang...

Part #: 6565 1× Black

Tile 1 x 6 with G...

Part #: 6636 2× White

Brick Special 2 x...

Part #: 73090b 1× Black

The parts inventory consists mainly of basic bricks and plates in white, black, and red, providing a good foundation for MOCs. The trans-light blue panels add a touch of color and are useful for creating windows or other transparent elements.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay

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Target

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💎 Notable Parts

Black Brick 1 x 2 (6x) $0.30

White Wedge Plate 3 x 3 Cut Corner (4x) $0.40

Trans-Light Blue Panel 1 x 2 x 1 [Square Corners] (4x) $0.60

Black Brick 1 x 6 (3x) $0.45

White Wing, Tail 4 x 1 x 3 (2x) $0.50

Est. BrickLink Part Value

$2.25

💡 MOC Potential

🚢 Create a larger coast guard vessel with expanded deck features

🏙 Design a harbor scene with a pier and additional boats

🚗 Build a small rescue helicopter to complement the boat

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

No Reddit discussions found for this set.

What YouTubers Say

Based on 4 videos

3.0 /5

Mixed

0% positive

BlockTalk AI

LEGO YouTubers generally view the LEGO City Police subtheme with mixed feelings, with some finding it unoriginal. JANG's LEGO Reviews offers independent reviews of related sets, while BrickQueen provides reviews of police-themed sets like Prison Island. BRICKLOVER BRAD reviews older sets like the RipTide Racer Boat.

🔄 LEGO City 2014 Swamp Police Station review! 60069 re upload

JANG's LEGO Reviews • 1.7K views Review

Community Sentiment

Based on 4 YouTube reviews

Not enough Reddit data

YouTube

3.0 /5

Mixed

0% positive

Positive

Mixed

Critical

BlockTalk AI Analysis

What the Community Says

1 YouTube reviews

BlockTalk AI Summary

OurToyWorld notes the common criticism that LEGO City Police lacks originality, a sentiment echoed across the community. JANG's LEGO Reviews focuses on providing unbiased reviews of sets within the broader LEGO City theme, including police and non-police sets.