(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Lucy Liu wore a bulletproof vest and travelled through some of the roughest areas in Los Angeles to prepare for a new role.

The actress recently landed a part as a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer in US television crime drama Southland. Lucy wanted to get some real-life experience of being a cop and decided to spend some time with the police force.

On Friday evening, the star wore protective body armour for a ride-along with the LAPD.

"Liu donned a bullet-proof vest and sat shotgun with an LAPD officer Friday evening... as they toured some of the most gang-infested parts of Watts in a squad car," a source told TMZ.

The 42-year-old actress was not involved in any police activity during the tour.

It has been claimed that Lucy has arranged to accompany officers on another ride-along again soon.

The star isn't the only famous face from Southland who has chosen to see how the police really operate in Los Angeles.

Lucy's co-star Michael Cudlitz also spent time with the LAPD recently. During his tour, officers had to respond to a call about a "man with a gun". (C) Cover Media