Detective Jake Peralta is known as the precinct's resident goofball on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. His high energy and childish antics have a way of charming his colleagues and the audience alike. But sometimes, his immature actions lead to disastrous results. His need to have a good time often outweighs his common sense.
Jake also has a habit of butting into other people's business. His heart is usually in the right place, but good intentions don't always mean the right choices. Whether he means to or not, Jake makes some major mess-ups. Still, he does always try to fix his mistakes.
Meddled in Charles and Nikolaj's Relationship
When Nikolaj's biological father Gintars shows up out of the blue, Charles panics thinking that he'll take Nikolaj away. Jake wants to help his best friend and intervenes, trying to set up situations that show Charles Gintars isn't there to steal back Nikolaj.
But that backfires and Charles wants Gintars gone. Jake takes the comment to heart and devises a plan to have him arrested for counterfeit products. But Charles has a change of heart and wants Nikolaj to know his birth father so he doesn't feel abandoned.
Arrested a Suspect Without Sufficient Evidence
While Jake's gut instincts are often spot on, the justice system doesn't work on feelings alone. He jumps the gun on an arrest and puts the team on a 48-hour time crunch to gather sufficient evidence to make sure his perp doesn't walk free.
His eagerness to catch the bad guy costs the team their precious weekend, and they're rightfully not pleased with it. Jake wants desperately to play an action hero cop all the time without ever thinking of the consequences of his actions.
Gets Mad at Gina for Offering to Buy His Apartment
As Jake deals with his eviction, Gina offers a solution that works for both of them. She suggests buying his apartment, which he inherited from his Nana, and renting it to him for a price he can afford, earning her credit in the process.
Jake is offended that his childhood friend grew up and sured him in maturity, so he lashes out when she makes the offer. His treatment of Gina in the situation makes him immature and a bad friend, especially as she tries helping him.
Avoided Meeting Nikolaj
When Jake finally makes it back to the Nine-Nine after his stint in Coral Palms, Florida, he wants to return to normalcy. It's especially hard because the precinct is working the night shift as punishment for the gang disobeying Captain CJ's orders not to rescue Holt and Jake.
But in his attempts to return to a normal life, Jake disregards Boyle's responsibilities as a new parent with an adopted son. He avoids meeting Nikolaj at first and gets mad when Charles prioritizes his son. It's incredibly selfish and immature behavior.
Complains About Captain Holt to Jimmy Brogan
Early in Brooklyn Nine-Nine history, Jake and Captain Holt clashed a great deal as the silly detective scoffed at authority. But he overstepped when he went on the record on a drunken rant and complained about his captain to Jimmy Brogan, a former crime thriller novelist and detective turned journalist.
Jimmy took advantage of Jake's inebriated state and wrote all the complaints in an article that demeaned Captain Holt. Jake should have known better than to disrespect his superior, even if he was fed up with Holt's seemingly inane rules.
Disobeyed Amy's Plan in the Puzzler Case
For Jake and Amy's final case together as detectives, Jake brings her a case related to the New York Times crossword puzzle involving her favorite puzzle maker. But Jake becomes jealous of the puzzle master and wants to solve the case his way to prove he's just as smart.
His insecurity leads him to disregard Amy's plan and lets the perpetrator get away with another arson. Not only is he a bad fiance at that moment, he's a bad detective. Amy is rightfully upset when she finds out Jake left his post.
Invited Teddy to the B and B Assignment
Jake and Amy are sent on a transfer assignment and put up in a fancy bed and breakfast. Jake takes the opportunity to invite his girlfriend Sophia for a romantic getaway. Amy laments that Teddy would never do anything so spontaneous, so Jake takes it upon himself to invite Teddy.
But he doesn't know that Amy is ready to break up with Teddy and mucks up everything. Teddy confronts Jake stating he's the reason his relationship with Amy broke down. Sophia sees the feelings he has for Amy and is upset.
Reveals Holt Kept a Secret From His Husband
When Captain Holt is in a foul mood, everyone thinks it's Jake's fault. He is adamant it's not his fault and sets out to find why Holt is in a bad mood. Along the way, Kevin finds out his husband has been lying about his fencing lessons every week.
In his attempt to clear his name, Jake meddled in the captain's marriage and broke Kevin and Holt's trust in one another. His selfish actions led to disastrous consequences. Thankfully, Kevin and Raymond made up. But it taught Jake a valuable lesson.
Rejected Rosa's 1,000 Pushups
At the police academy, Jake and Rosa created a shorthand of "1,000 pushups" to mean, "I trust you and have your back." When Jake employs the code during the case with Doug Judy, Rosa backs him up. But when she initiates her own 1,000 pushups, Jake refuses to acknowledge the code.
He was completely blinded by Doug Judy's charm and didn't trust Rosa's gut. He was both a bad detective and a bad friend in this situation. It led to his deception and more than one criminal running free.
Drove Captain Kim Out of the Precinct
In the most recent season, the Nine-Nine finds themselves in need of a new captain. The commissioner's office assigns Captain Kim to take over for Holt while he completes his demotion assignment. But Jake is suspicious and refuses to offer her courtesy and respect.
Captain Kim proves nothing but affable, but it's not enough. She invites the crew to a party at her house where Jake goes snooping and releases her dog on the partygoers. Captain Kim realizes she'll never have everyone's respect and leaves the precinct.