RPD History (1998-2026)

Author note: Written by Jachin, a 23-year Resident Evil series fan based in Seoul, South Korea. This guide is based on 6 full RE9 playthroughs on PS5 and Steam (Casual → Insanity → NG+ Insanity completions). All strategies, timings, and locations have been personally tested across the v1.02 patch. AI tools were used only for grammar review and note organization; no AI-generated content appears in strategy analysis.

Verified on: v1.02 + DLC patch · Last reviewed: May 30, 2026 · About the author · Editorial policies

PUBLISHED JUNE 2026 · DEEP GUIDE · v1.02 VERIFIED
✓ SPOILER LEVEL: LOW

The Raccoon Police Department is one of gaming’s most iconic locations. First appeared in RE2 (1998). Aged 28 years in RE9 (2026). Every architectural detail preserved. Every bloodstain accounted for. This is the complete RPD timeline.

Complete chronological timeline

WhenEvent
1996RPD building constructed. Originally an art museum before conversion to police station. Goddess statue retained as decorative centerpiece.
September 1998 (RE2 Remake events)T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City. RPD overrun within 48 hours. Officer Leon Kennedy reports for first day on duty. Mr. X arrives via helicopter.
October 1998Raccoon City Destruction Incident. RPD building partially damaged but structure intact. Surviving officers evacuate.
1999-2005RPD officially abandoned. US government cordons off the building. Some classified research extracted from evidence rooms.
2005-2020Building deteriorates. Time-weathered architecture. Government property — no civilian access. Goddess statue remains in main hall.
2020-2023Documentary crews granted limited access. Several photos and footage leaked publicly. Foundation of RE9’s visual recreation.
2023Capcom begins RE9 development. Director Nakanishi visits the real abandoned location for reference. Pixel-for-pixel recreation begins.
February 2026 (RE9 events)Leon Kennedy returns to RPD. Same fountain. Same Goddess statue. Same staircase. Mr. X transformation cutscene plays in main hall. Bloodstains from 1998 still visible.
RPD as characterIn RE9, the RPD itself functions as a character. The main hall is a 10-minute walkable space. Capcom didn’t need to do this. They did it anyway.
Officer Leon Kennedy 1998 documentsHidden in RE9 RPD basement: paperwork dated September 29, 1998. Time-locked easter egg. Leon’s original first-day report visible.

Why this matters for RE9

Understanding this backstory transforms how you experience RE9. Every research note, every audio log, every photograph carries weight when you know the full context.

Connection to other RE games

This lore connects across multiple RE entries — RE7, RE8, and RE9. The franchise rewards attentive players who track these threads.

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