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Homicide: Life on the Street (USA, 1993-1999) -
Homicide: Life on the Street is an American television
police procedural series chronicling the work of a fictional
Baltimore Police Department homicide unit. It ran for
seven seasons on the NBC network from 1993 to 1999 and
then was followed by a 2000 TV-movie that served as a de
facto series finale. The series was based on David Simon's
nonfiction book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,
and many characters and stories used throughout the
show's seven seasons were based on individuals and events
depicted in the book (Simon would also use them in his own
series for HBO, The Wire). Read more...
Homicide: Life on the Street is an American television
police procedural series chronicling the work of a fictional
Baltimore Police Department homicide unit. It ran for
seven seasons on the NBC network from 1993 to 1999 and
then was followed by a 2000 TV-movie that served as a de
facto series finale. The series was based on David Simon's
nonfiction book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,
and many characters and stories used throughout the
show's seven seasons were based on individuals and events
depicted in the book (Simon would also use them in his own
series for HBO, The Wire). Read more...
Hot Pursuit (reality) (USA, 2006-present) - Hot
Pursuit is an American reality television series running
on Court TV. The show is also part of Court TV's RED
lineup, that features police chases, and other
driver-related footage. Read more...
Pursuit is an American reality television series running
on Court TV. The show is also part of Court TV's RED
lineup, that features police chases, and other
driver-related footage. Read more...
Hunter (TV series) (USA, 1984-1991) - Hunter is a police drama
television series starring Fred Dryer which ran on NBC from 1984 to
1991. The titular character, Sgt. Rick Hunter, was a wily, physically
imposing, and often rule-breaking homicide detective (badge# 089) with
the Los Angeles Police Department. Stepfanie Kramer co-starred in the
first six of the series' seven seasons as Hunter's female partner Sgt.
Dee Dee McCall. Read more...
television series starring Fred Dryer which ran on NBC from 1984 to
1991. The titular character, Sgt. Rick Hunter, was a wily, physically
imposing, and often rule-breaking homicide detective (badge# 089) with
the Los Angeles Police Department. Stepfanie Kramer co-starred in the
first six of the series' seven seasons as Hunter's female partner Sgt.
Dee Dee McCall. Read more...
In the Heat of the Night (USA, 1988-1994) - In the Heat of the
Night is a television series based on the motion picture, In the Heat of
the Night, that ran from 1988 to 1995. It starred Carroll O'Connor as
William Gillespie and Howard Rollins as Virgil Tibbs. Tibbs had traveled
to the Sparta area for his mother's funeral. He was persuaded to remain
by the city government, who had felt the need to make the city's police
department more diverse. Read more...
Night is a television series based on the motion picture, In the Heat of
the Night, that ran from 1988 to 1995. It starred Carroll O'Connor as
William Gillespie and Howard Rollins as Virgil Tibbs. Tibbs had traveled
to the Sparta area for his mother's funeral. He was persuaded to remain
by the city government, who had felt the need to make the city's police
department more diverse. Read more...
In Justice (USA, 2006) - In Justice is a short-lived American
television police procedural created by Michelle King and Robert King.
The series began airing on January 1, 2006 on ABC as a midseason
replacement, and resumed airing on its regular night and time on
Fridays at 9 p.m. EST. It was cancelled after its 13-episode run on March
31, 2006. The series aired in Canada on CTV and in the UK on UKTV
Gold beginning in September 17, 2006 and will be repeated on ABC1 in
2007. Read more...
television police procedural created by Michelle King and Robert King.
The series began airing on January 1, 2006 on ABC as a midseason
replacement, and resumed airing on its regular night and time on
Fridays at 9 p.m. EST. It was cancelled after its 13-episode run on March
31, 2006. The series aired in Canada on CTV and in the UK on UKTV
Gold beginning in September 17, 2006 and will be repeated on ABC1 in
2007. Read more...
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (UK,
2001-2007) - The Inspector Lynley Mysteries is a series of
BBC television programmes about Detective Inspector
Thomas "Tommy" Lynley, 8th Earl of Asherton
(Nathaniel Parker) of Scotland Yard and Detective
Sergeant Barbara Havers (Sharon Small). In addition to
the tensions involved in solving murder cases, the series
thrives on the characters' clashes regarding personality,
gender, and class, since Lynley is an earl (a peer of the
realm), while Havers comes from a working-class
background. Read more...
2001-2007) - The Inspector Lynley Mysteries is a series of
BBC television programmes about Detective Inspector
Thomas "Tommy" Lynley, 8th Earl of Asherton
(Nathaniel Parker) of Scotland Yard and Detective
Sergeant Barbara Havers (Sharon Small). In addition to
the tensions involved in solving murder cases, the series
thrives on the characters' clashes regarding personality,
gender, and class, since Lynley is an earl (a peer of the
realm), while Havers comes from a working-class
background. Read more...
Inspector Morse (UK/USA, 1987-2000) - Detective
Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse is a fictional character
in a series of thirteen detective novels by British author
Colin Dexter, as well as the 33 episode television series
produced by Central Independent Television from 1987–
2000, in which he was portrayed by John Thaw. Morse is a
senior CID (Criminal Investigation Department) officer
with the Thames Valley Police in Oxford, England.
Read more...
Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse is a fictional character
in a series of thirteen detective novels by British author
Colin Dexter, as well as the 33 episode television series
produced by Central Independent Television from 1987–
2000, in which he was portrayed by John Thaw. Morse is a
senior CID (Criminal Investigation Department) officer
with the Thames Valley Police in Oxford, England.
Read more...
Inspector Rex (Austria/Germany, 1994-2004) - Kommissar Rex (English title:
Inspector Rex) is a popular Austrian-made police television drama, aired from 1994 to 2004.
In 2008 a new series was released, under Austrian-Italian production, and a 12th season is
planned. The original series is set in Vienna and focuses on the three-man staff of an office
of the Kriminalpolizei - the Austrian Crime Squad - specifically a Mordkommission, or
Homicide Commission. In addition to the three policemen, the office is staffed by a German
Shepherd called Rex who functions variously as a cadaver dog, a sniffer dog (for both
contraband and narcotics) and as another pair of eyes and ears for his team. Read more...
Inspector Rex) is a popular Austrian-made police television drama, aired from 1994 to 2004.
In 2008 a new series was released, under Austrian-Italian production, and a 12th season is
planned. The original series is set in Vienna and focuses on the three-man staff of an office
of the Kriminalpolizei - the Austrian Crime Squad - specifically a Mordkommission, or
Homicide Commission. In addition to the three policemen, the office is staffed by a German
Shepherd called Rex who functions variously as a cadaver dog, a sniffer dog (for both
contraband and narcotics) and as another pair of eyes and ears for his team. Read more...
Ironside (USA, 1967-1975) - Ironside (originally broadcast under the name A Man Called
Ironside in the United Kingdom) is a Universal television series which ran on NBC from
September 14, 1967 to February 6, 1975. The character's debut was in a TV-movie on March
28, 1967. The show revolved around former San Francisco Police Department Chief of
Detectives Robert T. Ironside (Raymond Burr), a thirty-five year police veteran who was
forced to retire from the department after a sniper's bullet paralyzed him from the waist
down and forced him to use a wheelchair. Read more...
Ironside in the United Kingdom) is a Universal television series which ran on NBC from
September 14, 1967 to February 6, 1975. The character's debut was in a TV-movie on March
28, 1967. The show revolved around former San Francisco Police Department Chief of
Detectives Robert T. Ironside (Raymond Burr), a thirty-five year police veteran who was
forced to retire from the department after a sniper's bullet paralyzed him from the waist
down and forced him to use a wheelchair. Read more...
JAG (USA, 1995-2005) - JAG (the American Military acronym for Judge
Advocate General) is an American adventure/legal drama television show
that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount
Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions.
Originally conceived as Top Gun meets A Few Good Men, JAG was first aired
on NBC on September 23, 1995, but was later cancelled on May 22, 1996 after
finishing 77th in the ratings. With a network change, rival network CBS
picked up the series for a midseason replacement, beginning on January 3,
1997. CBS's decision to give JAG another chance would prove very profitable,
as they aired it for nine additional seasons until April 29, 2005, for a total of
ten seasons. Read more...
Advocate General) is an American adventure/legal drama television show
that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount
Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions.
Originally conceived as Top Gun meets A Few Good Men, JAG was first aired
on NBC on September 23, 1995, but was later cancelled on May 22, 1996 after
finishing 77th in the ratings. With a network change, rival network CBS
picked up the series for a midseason replacement, beginning on January 3,
1997. CBS's decision to give JAG another chance would prove very profitable,
as they aired it for nine additional seasons until April 29, 2005, for a total of
ten seasons. Read more...
Jake and the Fatman (USA, 1987-1992) - Jake and the Fatman is a television crime drama starring
William Conrad as prosecutor J. L.(Jason Lochinvar) "Fatman" McCabe and Joe Penny as investigator Jake
Styles. The series ran on CBS for five seasons from 1987 to 1992. Diagnosis Murder is a spin-off of this series.
Read more...
William Conrad as prosecutor J. L.(Jason Lochinvar) "Fatman" McCabe and Joe Penny as investigator Jake
Styles. The series ran on CBS for five seasons from 1987 to 1992. Diagnosis Murder is a spin-off of this series.
Read more...
Judd, for the Defense (USA, 1967-1969) - Judd, for the Defense is a 53-episode American legal drama
originally broadcast on the ABC network on Friday nights from September 8, 1967, to September 19, 1969. The
show starred Carl Betz, who had previously spent eight years in the role of the bland Dr. Alex Stone, husband of
Donna Reed in ABC's The Donna Reed Show. In his new role, reportedly based on high-profile lawyers such as F.
Lee Bailey and Percy Foreman, Betz played Clinton Judd, a flamboyant attorney based in Houston, who often
took on controversial cases across the country. Playing his top assistant, Ben Caldwell, was Stephen Young.
Read more...
originally broadcast on the ABC network on Friday nights from September 8, 1967, to September 19, 1969. The
show starred Carl Betz, who had previously spent eight years in the role of the bland Dr. Alex Stone, husband of
Donna Reed in ABC's The Donna Reed Show. In his new role, reportedly based on high-profile lawyers such as F.
Lee Bailey and Percy Foreman, Betz played Clinton Judd, a flamboyant attorney based in Houston, who often
took on controversial cases across the country. Playing his top assistant, Ben Caldwell, was Stephen Young.
Read more...
Judge Judy (reality) (USA, 1996-present) - Judge Judy is an American reality-based court
show, featuring former family court judge, Judith Sheindlin, arbitrating over small claims cases.
The series is in first-run syndication and distributed by CBS Television Distribution, the successor
company to its previous distributors Worldvision Enterprises, Paramount Domestic Television, and
CBS Paramount Domestic Television. Read more...
show, featuring former family court judge, Judith Sheindlin, arbitrating over small claims cases.
The series is in first-run syndication and distributed by CBS Television Distribution, the successor
company to its previous distributors Worldvision Enterprises, Paramount Domestic Television, and
CBS Paramount Domestic Television. Read more...
Juliet Bravo (UK, 1980-1985) - Juliet Bravo was a British television series which ran between 1980 and 1985.
The theme of the series concerned a female police inspector who took over control of a police station in a fictional
town of Hartley in Lancashire. The name of the show is the inspector's radio call sign. Read more...
The theme of the series concerned a female police inspector who took over control of a police station in a fictional
town of Hartley in Lancashire. The name of the show is the inspector's radio call sign. Read more...
Kojak (USA, 1973-1978 and 2005) - Kojak refers to two separate but related American Crime drama television
series, with the original airing on CBS and the second series airing on USA Network. Kojak (1973 series) is an
American television series starring Telly Savalas as the eponymous New York City Police Department Detective
Lieutenant Theo Kojak. It aired from October 24, 1973 to March 18, 1978 on CBS. It took the time slot of the
popular Cannon series, which was moved one hour earlier. Kojak's Greek heritage, shared by actor Savalas, was
prominently featured in the series. In March 2005, a new Kojak series debuted on the USA Network cable
channel and on ITV4 in the UK. In this "reimagined" version, Ving Rhames, an African-American actor, portrays
the character. The bald head, lollipops, and "Who loves ya, baby?" catchphrase remained intact, but little else
remained from the 1973 original. The series lasted one season. Read more...
series, with the original airing on CBS and the second series airing on USA Network. Kojak (1973 series) is an
American television series starring Telly Savalas as the eponymous New York City Police Department Detective
Lieutenant Theo Kojak. It aired from October 24, 1973 to March 18, 1978 on CBS. It took the time slot of the
popular Cannon series, which was moved one hour earlier. Kojak's Greek heritage, shared by actor Savalas, was
prominently featured in the series. In March 2005, a new Kojak series debuted on the USA Network cable
channel and on ITV4 in the UK. In this "reimagined" version, Ving Rhames, an African-American actor, portrays
the character. The bald head, lollipops, and "Who loves ya, baby?" catchphrase remained intact, but little else
remained from the 1973 original. The series lasted one season. Read more...
Der Kommissar (West Germany, 1969-1975) - Der Kommissar (English The Commissioner) is a German
television series about a group of detectives of the Munich homicide squad (Mordkommission). All 97 episodes (55
minutes each), which were shot in black-and-white and first broadcast between 1969 and 1976, were written by
Herbert Reinecker and starred Erik Ode as Kommissar Herbert Keller. Keller's assistants were Walter Grabert
(Günther Schramm), Robert Heines (Reinhard Glemnitz), and Harry Klein (Fritz Wepper) who, in 1974, was
replaced by his younger brother (also in real life) Erwin Klein (Elmar Wepper). Read more...
television series about a group of detectives of the Munich homicide squad (Mordkommission). All 97 episodes (55
minutes each), which were shot in black-and-white and first broadcast between 1969 and 1976, were written by
Herbert Reinecker and starred Erik Ode as Kommissar Herbert Keller. Keller's assistants were Walter Grabert
(Günther Schramm), Robert Heines (Reinhard Glemnitz), and Harry Klein (Fritz Wepper) who, in 1974, was
replaced by his younger brother (also in real life) Erwin Klein (Elmar Wepper). Read more...
Die Kommissarin (Germany, 1994-present) - Die Kommissarin (German for "the inspectoress") is a
German police TV series started in 1994. The series, which takes place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is
notable as being the first, and as of yet, one of the few commercially successful German detective series to have a
female lead character (others include Bella Block and Rosa Roth). Read more...
German police TV series started in 1994. The series, which takes place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is
notable as being the first, and as of yet, one of the few commercially successful German detective series to have a
female lead character (others include Bella Block and Rosa Roth). Read more...
K-Ville (USA, 2007-present) - K-Ville (an abbreviation of Katrinaville) was an American television drama
created and executive produced by Jonathan Lisco, centered on policing New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Deran Sarafian directed the pilot. Read more...
created and executive produced by Jonathan Lisco, centered on policing New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Deran Sarafian directed the pilot. Read more...
LAPD: Life On the Beat (reality; USA, 1995-1999) - LAPD: Life on the Beat (sometimes referred to as
LAPD or Life on the Beat), was an American reality television series which aired on FOX, about the Los Angeles
Police Department that aired from 1995-1999, (premiered in 1997 in Portugal). Like its still-running
contemporary, COPS, LAPD followed police officers on patrol and during investigations, however unlike COPS,
Life on the Beat only featured police officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Originally the
series aired as just LAPD in 1995, it wasn't till 1996 when the show really took off and had better graphics and so
forth that the name was changed to LAPD: Life on the Beat. Read more...
LAPD or Life on the Beat), was an American reality television series which aired on FOX, about the Los Angeles
Police Department that aired from 1995-1999, (premiered in 1997 in Portugal). Like its still-running
contemporary, COPS, LAPD followed police officers on patrol and during investigations, however unlike COPS,
Life on the Beat only featured police officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Originally the
series aired as just LAPD in 1995, it wasn't till 1996 when the show really took off and had better graphics and so
forth that the name was changed to LAPD: Life on the Beat. Read more...
| Page 5 |
| Police Shows |
| Descriptions of Police Drama and Comedy Television Shows Past and Present |
| Television History The First 75 Years |
Custom Search
| Breaking the Rules |
When you become a police
officer, you’re going to work with
other cops who spend a lot of
time trying to work around rules
or ignoring rules all together.
While the vast majority of police
officers will do their best to work
within your police department’s
framework of rules, there will be
two groups that will avoid rules
on a frequent basis. The first
group will be lazy and
incompetent people who would be
lazy and incompetent in any line
of work they might find
themselves. The second group is
anything but lazy; however, their
idea of competence is predicated
on what situations,
circumstances, or rules they
believe to be worthy of their time
and attention. Taken to the
extreme, this group typifies the
statement, “The end justifies the
means.”
Police television shows and
movies frequently embrace the
theme of the crusading “rules be
damned” cop who sneers at
stupid rules while he or she
pursues truth and justice. In
movie land, all the
insubordination and carnage left
in the wake of Super Cop fades
away from scene to scene. In the
end, justice prevails and Super
Cop is vindicated.
In the real world of police work,
the super cop who routinely
ignores rules has a shelf life.
The length of that shelf life will
vary due to a lot of factors
including just being lucky. In
the real world, the tolerance for
Super Cop’s insubordination will
be limited. As for any
carnage…well, that’s the real
career killer.
You’re definitely going to work
with a few of these super cops.
You’re going to be disappointed
when you realize that your super
cops aren’t as sincere as the
television versions. The pursuit
of truth and justice will be
secondary to the pursuit of
recognition. While everybody
likes recognition from time to
time for a job well done, Super
Cop’s need for recognition can be
described as an addiction.
Addiction to recognition is
dangerous simply because of the
fleeting nature of recognition.
When a police officer becomes a
recognition junkie, that officer’s
career will be in jeopardy in
direct proportion to the level of
the addiction.
officer, you’re going to work with
other cops who spend a lot of
time trying to work around rules
or ignoring rules all together.
While the vast majority of police
officers will do their best to work
within your police department’s
framework of rules, there will be
two groups that will avoid rules
on a frequent basis. The first
group will be lazy and
incompetent people who would be
lazy and incompetent in any line
of work they might find
themselves. The second group is
anything but lazy; however, their
idea of competence is predicated
on what situations,
circumstances, or rules they
believe to be worthy of their time
and attention. Taken to the
extreme, this group typifies the
statement, “The end justifies the
means.”
Police television shows and
movies frequently embrace the
theme of the crusading “rules be
damned” cop who sneers at
stupid rules while he or she
pursues truth and justice. In
movie land, all the
insubordination and carnage left
in the wake of Super Cop fades
away from scene to scene. In the
end, justice prevails and Super
Cop is vindicated.
In the real world of police work,
the super cop who routinely
ignores rules has a shelf life.
The length of that shelf life will
vary due to a lot of factors
including just being lucky. In
the real world, the tolerance for
Super Cop’s insubordination will
be limited. As for any
carnage…well, that’s the real
career killer.
You’re definitely going to work
with a few of these super cops.
You’re going to be disappointed
when you realize that your super
cops aren’t as sincere as the
television versions. The pursuit
of truth and justice will be
secondary to the pursuit of
recognition. While everybody
likes recognition from time to
time for a job well done, Super
Cop’s need for recognition can be
described as an addiction.
Addiction to recognition is
dangerous simply because of the
fleeting nature of recognition.
When a police officer becomes a
recognition junkie, that officer’s
career will be in jeopardy in
direct proportion to the level of
the addiction.