Peter Dunleavy

“	It was crazy back then, right? We were working under Article 8. We were out of control.	”
	— Pete talks to Zeke and William about Article 8

Peter Dunleavy
Biographical Information
Appearances	Spiral
Also Known As	Pete
Status	Deceased
Died In	Spiral
Cause of Death	Lacerated by many pieces of glass from the Glass Grinder
Profession	Police Officer (formerly) Group Counselor
Role	Antagonist
Reason Tested	Killing Charlie Emmerson to prevent him from testifying against a fellow officer
Relationships	Ezekiel Banks (ex-partner) Tim O'Brien (former colleague and friend)† William Schenk (abductor) Charlie Emmerson (victim)† Unnamed drunk man (enemy)
Portrayed by	Patrick McManus

Peter Dunleavy, also known as Pete, is a fictional character from the Saw franchise, he serves as the overarching antagonist in Spiral.

He was portrayed by Patrick McManus.

Quick Answers

What role does Peter Dunleavy play in the Saw franchise?

In the Saw franchise, Peter Dunleavy, played by Patrick McManus, is a corrupt officer who shields his colleagues from repercussions. His actions instigate the events of 'Spiral', positioning him as the primary antagonist. Dunleavy is notably responsible for the death of Charlie Emmerson, whom he kills to prevent testimony against another officer. His character meets a fatal end, chained before a machine that propels glass shards at him.

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Who portrayed Peter Dunleavy in the Saw franchise?

The character Peter Dunleavy in the Saw franchise was brought to life by actor Patrick McManus.

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What was Peter Dunleavy's profession in the Saw series?

In the Saw franchise, Peter Dunleavy, often referred to as Pete, was initially a police officer for the Metropolitan Police Department. Post the Jigsaw murders, he transitioned to the role of a Group Counselor. His character is the primary antagonist in the film Spiral.

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How did Peter Dunleavy contribute to the corruption in the Metropolitan Police Department?

Peter Dunleavy's contribution to corruption in the Metropolitan Police Department involved misuse of his position. He was implicated in a murder, leading to an Internal Affairs investigation initiated by a complaint. Consequently, Dunleavy lost his badge and was compelled to live as a civilian. His probation status didn't deter him from violent behavior, which went unpunished due to Detective O’Brien's loyalty.

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What is Article 8 in the Saw series and how did it affect Peter Dunleavy's actions?

In the Saw series, Article 8 is a law that broadened law enforcement powers to combat crime. Passed after the Jigsaw murders, it was exploited by corrupt officers, including Peter Dunleavy, to commit acts of brutality and murder. These actions were covered up by Police Chief Marcus Banks and homicide head Angie Garza. Officer Ezekiel Banks ultimately exposed Dunleavy's misuse of Article 8.

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Biography

Murder of Charlie Emmerson

Pete in uniform

Peter Dunleavy was a former officer who worked for the Metropolitan Police Department, sometime after the Jigsaw murders, The Metropolitan PD were under a list of policies called Article 8, which gave them the legal means to do whatever was needed to stop crime. This allowed for corruption, which Dunleavy was aware of and participated in. He learned that civilian Charlie Emmerson had witnessed an officer push someone off a roof, and sought the man out under the guise of investigating the crime. He brought along his than-partner Ezekiel Banks. They visited Charlie at his home, and questioned him about what he witnessed. When it became clear that the man was willing to testify, Dunleavy took action and murdered Charlie by shooting him. Banks was shocked by the act but stayed quiet. Unbeknownst to Dunleavy at the time, Charlie's son William was hidden in a cabinet and witnessed the event. (Spiral)

Internal Affairs Investigation

Banks was unable to stand by while Dunleavy was guilty of murder, and took action by filing a complaint against him. The complaint opened up an IA investigation that found Dunleavy guilty. He was stripped of his badge and sent to prison for nine years. He was bitter and angry at Banks for turning him in, and the ramifications of Banks's actions made him an outcast amongst his fellow officers. (Spiral)

Copycat Murders

Zeke talks to Pete about the murders

Years later, in the height of the grisly Jigsaw Killer copycat murder spree, Peter Dunleavy reunited with his former partner Ezekiel Banks, who investigated the crimes. He made snide remarks on how Banks' career had unfolded, and was introduced to Banks's new partner William Schenk. Dunleavy warned Schenk that Banks would stab him in the back if given the chance. Dunleavy states he was mad at Zeke for a long time but took full responsibility, He also told him that cops were out of control because they were working under Article 8, Zeke asked Dunleavy where he was during July 4th, Dunleavy said A drunk man came and wanted to fight so he knocked him out, then later the cops came because he was still on probation, but Detective O’Brien let the whole thing slide because of his loyalty to Pete. (Spiral)

Abduction

Pete eventually is abducted by William, Pete's hands restrained above his body with his back facing a Glass Grinder at a old Soap factory. Zeke desperately races to the church to confront Dunleavy of suspicious of being the killer but was nowhere to be found. (Unbeknownst to him, Schenk, wearing a pig mast, mostly after abducting Dunleavy, was waiting for him.) He then called his father for the third time, which then went straight to voice mail again, which upsets him. Frustrated over it, he tells him that he had to cover for him because the officers, as well as O'Brien, were asking him questions & was tired of making excuses for him. Then asks & demands to know where he is & if he has something that he's not telling him. Zeke was then ultimately abducted by the copycat killer and awakens in a warehouse handcuffed to a pipe. He sees a hacksaw nearby and considers the option of sawing off his arm, per his "test", but doesn't have to when he discovers a loose bobby pin on the floor nearby. (Spiral)

Test

Pete in his trap

As Zeke navigates his escape, he encounters Peter Dunleavy, his former partner who Banks reported for murder, chained in place. Ezekiel Banks's second test is to save Pete, the victim of the Glass Grinder trap, a machine hurls crushed shards of glass at him. Banks is horrified to find a tape recorder that give him a choice to either save Dunleavy or let him die for his crimes. If Ezekiel seeks to release him, he must find the key to the chain. However, Ezekiel is supposed to not save him, in order for justice to be enacted. If he does not find the key, his ex-partner will die.

Death

Pete's corpse

After Ezekiel played the tape, the machine began to start Zeke realizing what was going to happen to Pete ran over to grab the bobby pin he had used earlier to escape. Zeke then tried to pick the lock but failed, the machine had then started shooting glass shards Zeke quickly got out of the way while Pete turned around and had shards of glass lacerate his back. The motor to the machine then stopped Zeke tried picking the lock again but was unsuccessful then the motor to the machine started back up. Zeke thought back to the tape about the clue he then realized what the clue meant and found the key, meanwhile Pete was being lacerated by shards of glass. Zeke shielding himself with a trash can attempted to save Pete but failed because Pete had already died from being lacerated by shards of glass. (Spiral)

Personality

Peter was a corrupt man who tried to defend his fellow officers from getting in trouble.

Trivia

• Patrick McManus originally auditioned to play Marv Bozwick, but was called back to play Peter Dunleavy instead.
• Peter Dunleavy’s actions caused the events of the film, making him the Overarching antagonist.

Appearances and References

Films
Saw	Saw II	Saw III	Saw IV	Saw V	Saw VI	Saw 3D	Jigsaw	Spiral	Saw X
Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Appears	Absent