The ‘80s was a great decade for procedurals since its during this period that hits such as Magnum P.I. and MacGyver were made. By featuring ordinary citizens, private investigators, or secret agents as crime busters, these TV projects somehow overshadowed those strictly focused on law enforcement officers.
However, it wasn’t a totally dull affair for cop shows. Though the offerings that came out in the decade weren’t as iconic as those of the ‘80s, they still established a couple of new plot formulas that are frequently used in the current era. Additionally, these small-screen projects covered the era’s trending topics and cultures much better.
10 21 Jump Street (1987 – 1991)
Stream On Peacock
To casual fans, 21 Jump Street is better known as the project that launched Johnny Depp’s career, but to loyalists, it's way more than that. When it aired, the procedural came off as peculiar because it strictly focused on young undercover officers instead of uniformed department-based officers, as was the norm.
By frequently covering homophobia, HIV/AIDs, and race-related crimes, 21 Jump Street plays a key role in bringing awareness to prejudices and stigmas. An effort is also made to include a moral lesson in each episode since bad behavior gets condemned, and the consequences are clearly shown. Given how engrossing the events were, it was not a shocker when the FOX series became one of the classic shows to be rebooted as movies.
9 Hawaiian Heat (1984)
Buy On Amazon Instant Video
Hawaii is always an ideal setting for producers hoping to have stunning visuals in their TV shows, so Hawaiian Heat is quite the visual treat. Stunning landscapes and colorful costumes keep the viewer jovial as plots surrounding criminal gangs, international spies, and family drama play out.
At the center of proceedings are the former Chicago cops, Jeff McCracken and Robert Ginty, who felt a change of climate was appropriate, so they migrated. However, it isn’t all sunshine and roses for them in the coastal city since they are forced to deal with numerous bureaucratic obstacles at the Honolulu P.D., most of which their lackadaisical boss is never keen on eliminating.
8 In The Heat Of The Night (1986 - 1991)
Stream On fuboTV
In The Heat of the Night is based on John Ball’s 1965 novel of the same name, and even though it isn’t exactly one of the best book-to-tv adaptations, it covers complex and intellectually absorbing cases. Additionally, the show covers multiple sensitive societal issues, with the most notable ones being racism and greed, since the major reason Tibbs is made Chief of the Sparta PD is to make the department seem less prejudiced.
Politics also intertwine sensibly with police work, with Mayor Findlay using Tibbs to boost his reputation so that he can run for a higher officer. In addition, the series often goes for the jugular by covering daring crimes revolving around anti-Semitism, corruption, mental health, and poverty. Consequently, each episode leaves viewers with something deep to ponder over.
7 Miami Vice (1984 – 1990)
Stream On Tubi TV
Miami Vice is as much a show for rock and contemporary pop fans as it is for lovers of procedurals. Instead of using made-for-TV songs like most of the ‘80s offerings did, singles from popular singers get to play each time Metro-Dade PD’s Sonny and Rico pursue mobsters or cartel enforcers.
An effort is also made to feature stylish costumes and opulence. Everything from flashy watches to supercars and yachts is included, which all makes sense considering that the procedural is produced by the creator of some of the greatest crime movies, Michael Mann. Sonny’s 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 is especially stunning and helps paint him as a true supercop.
6 MacGruder And Loud (1985)
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Anti-fraternization policies are still common in workplaces, and back in the ‘80s, some showrunners felt the need to condemn them via their projects. In MacGruder and Loud, for example, the couple of Kathryn Harrold and John Getz tries to exist in a fictional version of the LAPD where romantic relationships are highly prohibited.
Since the two keep their relationship a secret, fans get to cross their fingers multiple times, hoping they don’t get caught. Despite the restrictions, the protagonists keep their focus at work and help easily crack the most complex of cases. Sadly, MacGruder and Loud is one of the shortest procedurals as it only has one season.
5 T. J. Hooker (1982)
Stream On Tubi TV
Being a plainclothes Sergeant is more ideal, but Thomas Jefferson "T. J." Hooker doesn’t see it that way. For the T.J. Hooker titular character, vengeance is better than the perks, so he chooses to return to his former position as a uniformed officer in order to clean the streets and avenge his former partner’s death.
Though an elderly officer, Hooker is more resolute than most of the toughest action movie cops. Pardoning anyone is never an option for him, and whenever the justice system fails to work, he still finds a way to give victims justice. On top of that, Hooker gets included in a couple of wholesome student-mentor arcs with rookie officers.
4 McClain’s Law (1981 – 1982)
Rent On Apple TV+
Having also played a lawman in Gunsmoke, actor James Arness was more than capable of portraying McClain’s Law’s detective hero Jim McClain. This time, his character has a great redemption arc, going from being sidelined for 13 years because of an injury, to once again becoming the department’s star officer.
Overall, there is a high level of violence and gore in the series, something modern viewers might find appalling but was considered normal at the time. Besides that, the supporting characters are all intriguing, thanks to the decision to grant them numerous storylines involving courtships, backgrounds, and friendships.
3 True Blue (1989 – 1990)
Rent On Apple TV+
Police procedurals often ignore a number of departments in favor of those tasked with conducting investigations, but True Blue doesn’t take the same route. Instead, the series puts the spotlight on the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit (ESU), which usually handles rescues and time-sensitive cases.
The episodes, therefore, feel like mini-movies, with each having incredible stunts, extended driving sequences, and badass villains. Victims are also accorded plenty of screen time, with some even emerging as the true heroes instead of the officers. Unfortunately, True Blue is yet another short-lived procedural from the ‘80s.
2 Cagney & Lacey (1982 – 1988)
Stream On The Roku Channel
Female-led procedurals weren’t common in the ‘80s, but Cagney & Lacey did a great job of turning the tide. The series perfectly analyzes the two major challenges that many women faced at the time, whether to focus on getting to the corner office or putting more time and effort into family life.
Detective Christine Cagney is a career-minded woman who sees no benefit in marriage, while Detective Mary Beth Lacey enjoys being a mother. Despite their differing priorities, the officers form a beautiful friendship that enables them to deal with many of the frustrations of being female officers in a male-dominated department.
1 Hill Street Blues (1981 – 1987)
Stream On Hulu
Hill Street Blues is different because fans never really know the city in which events are based. All that is stated is that the officers are based in a specific location inside the mysterious metropolis. Thankfully, the ambiguity doesn’t affect the quality. The NBC offering is so outstanding that it won 26 Emmys out of a whopping 98 nominations.
The accolades are deserved since Hill Street Blues does many things differently from other procedurals. Apart from close-up shots and rapid camera cuts, the series also features plenty of interracial partnerships. Law enforcement officers aren’t always portrayed as heroes, either. A good number of them face moral quandaries revolving around corruption and favoritism.