Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid 1984) is a special guest. Throughout the episode, Shawn spits out various nods to The Karate Kid.
When Nick (Ralph Macchio) explains the cadet equipment must be taken care of to Shawn and Gus, Shawn says, "Yes, sensei" over his radio. Later in the field, Nick states he is twice the cop Lassiter is, and Shawn says, "Well, don't just stand there and wax on about it." These are both references to one of Macchio's most famous roles as Daniel in "The Karate Kid" franchise.
The musical score to this episode is near identical to that of the Police Academy film series; one of the movies to which this episode pays tribute.
This episode is riddled with 80's and 90's pop culture references. Examples are Police Academy (uniforms and noises Gus makes) and Top Gun (Juliet teaching and Shawn/Gus' banter/dialogue during the same scene).
Spot the Pineapple: one can be seen on the hotel door, another behind Juliet when she assigns Buzz to the guys, and a final pineapple (many of them, actually) are located in the grocery store during the shoot out.