 Creator Shawn Ryan (I) (qv)s original title of the show was "The  Barn". The FX network feared that potential audiences might be  turned away by that, because they might think it was a gardening  show or something similar. "Rampart" was also considered, after the  controversial corruption charges against the Rampart division of the  Los Angeles Police Department. This title was used in early  promotional materials, including several TV spots. Upon opposition  from the LAPD, as well as the fact that people not familiar with the  Rampart scandal might not understand the name, the title was changed  at the last minute to "The Shield".