An unmarried, middle-aged and overweight Los Angeles beat cop (Frank) is forced to adopt a street-smart young black orphan (Lucas) after the cop catches the boy shoplifting. During the chase, Frank had an asthma attack which could get him taken off the street and behind a desk if his bosses were to find out about it, so Lucas blackmails Frank into putting in a good word for him at his trial. The judge then forces Lucas into Frank's custody. Their differences in ages and culture is the object of most of the comedy.