The entertainment industry has long capitalized on the public’s fascination with police work. From gritty dramas to lighthearted comedies, television and film have consistently portrayed the lives of law enforcement officers, creating a world of make-believe precincts and roll call rooms that captivate audiences. These fictional portrayals, while often exaggerated, reflect a deep-seated interest in the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect.
Shows like Southland, Chicago P.D., and NYPD Blue have offered viewers a glimpse into the intense realities of policing in major cities. Crime was solved on The Streets of San Francisco, with Miami Vice, and by Walker, Texas Ranger. Jack Webb’s portrayal of LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday in Dragnet (1967-1970) remains an iconic representation of the no-nonsense police officer.
While some shows may stray from reality, others, like COPS, offer a more authentic look at law enforcement on the beat, such as the Alaska State Troopers. Whether it’s the ensemble cast of Hill Street Blues or the psychological profiling in The Profiler, the uncovering of criminal conduct in Dragnet and the pursuit of justice in Justified continue to resonate with viewers.
Many are inspired by these portrayals. As a youngster, some wanted to Get Smart as Adam 12 inspired them. Eventually becoming one of The Rookies, hoping in time to make S.W.A.T. As careers progressed, donning a suit and becoming Dick Tracy. Yet even interrogating crooks much like The Closer, often lamenting that we could not solve crime with the speed of CSI regardless of which city we were in. Smiling with Andy Griffith, laughing at Barney Miller and waiting for T.J. Hooker to say, “Beam me up, Scotty.” Having difficulty taking Barnaby Jones serious as waiting for Jethro from another show to drop in and call him “Uncle Jed.”
The fascination extends beyond traditional police dramas to include telecasts involving private investigators. Charlie’s Angels captivated the attention of many, perhaps inspiring young women to pursue careers as a Police Woman, Cagney and Lacey, or something called The Unusuals. Magnum P.I. promoted from civilian investigative work to become The Commish in Blue Bloods. Didn’t we also see his alter ego as Jesse Stone, chief of police in the fictional town of Paradise, Massachusetts?
A good Crime Story solved by The FBI will make a True Detective tune in, while Diagnoses Murder never caught my Eyes. A few other shows gave me a desire to take a Sledge Hammer to the TV. Murder, She Wrote was one in particular, my apologies to those who enjoyed it. Some who carried The Shield on camera defined what it meant to be cool, not corrupt. Without a Trace of timidity, Baretta, Kojak, and The Mod Squad displayed confidence in ways that made any Police Story entertaining. McLoud along with McMillan and Wife were on a carousel of truth each Sunday night, but Columbo always had one more question before Law and Order was restored. Car 54, Where Are You? They were found in the Bronx, while Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a different show altogether. Geographically, Vegas is south of Reno 911, yet northeast of the highways patrolled by CHiPs. Eclectically, Starsky and Hutch are as polar opposite as NCIS and 21 Jump Street, yet they all succeeded as True Blue thrillers. Hawaii Five-0 caught a wave in the late 60’s and hit the surf again more then forty years later.
In real life, Moonlighting as Simon and Simon has been a strategy used by some in police work to transition from sworn law enforcement to private investigative work. Others attend law school and JAG becomes reality. Indeed, television has taken us from LAPD: Life on the Beat to Ironside solving Major Crimes. What’s not to like about Mannix entertainment? It’s all In the Line of Duty. I’m not Matlock or Perry Mason, so I can’t defend what I’m writing, although I’m on The Mentalist for trying. But if I’ve been as smooth as Matt Houston, perhaps you’ll find a place for this story next to The Rockford Files.
Author’s Note: This story is an excerpt from my book, Justice Revealed. There are 68 television shows related to police work named in this feature. How many do you remember? Did I include or omit your favorite?
(Adam 12 and Dragnet images courtesy Ray Serna)