There has never been more creativity and ambition present in the television industry. It’s incredible to see the quality of content that now dominates the medium. There are more places to consume television than ever before, thanks to streaming services and additional networks.
Police procedurals have always been a popular staple of the medium and that remains true even with modern television. Plenty of police procedurals and cop shows are available to watch, but there are some that are just so much better than the rest, they should have mandatory viewing. Luckily, IMDb has rated these shows, helping fans narrow down the best of the best.
10 Blue Bloods Presents A Family Of Police Who Are Driven By The Badge (Score: 7.6)
Blue Bloods has grown into one of CBS' most reliable programs. For more than a decade, it's provided reliable police storytelling on television. There are nearly 250 episodes of Blue Bloods, it'd be very easy for Blue Bloods to function on auto-pilot. Reception for Blue Bloods remains high - a testament to how the personal drama that attacks the Reagan family is just as important to the series as the crimes that they take on. The multiple generations of characters also make Blue Bloods accessible to a wide demographic.
9 CSI: Vegas Goes Back To Its Forensic Roots (Score: 7.7)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was one of the most popular police programs of the 2000s and it helped put forensics science in the spotlight for mainstream audiences. CSI has more than 300 episodes with several spin-offs.
Television has become so cyclical that it’s now returned as CSI: Vegas. Admittedly, CSI: Vegas only has one season under its belt, but its 7.7 IMDb rating is comparable to the original series’ 7.6. William Peterson returns to lead the team of intrepid investigators.
8 NCIS Has Been Keeping The Peace For Nearly Two Decades (Score: 7.7)
Fans may not think the Navy and Marine Corps experience so many crimes and murders. With more than 400 episodes, NCIS is certainly proof of the contrary. For nearly 20 seasons, NCIS has been the leading series when it comes to this niche division of crime, yet its success and effective structure has also led to several popular spin-offs.
NCIS is comfort food for most of its audience and perfectly understands its formula at this point. It's maintained a base level of consistency for the majority of its lengthy run.
7 9-1-1 Turns To The Wilder Side Of Rescue Missions To Find Its Heroes (Score: 7.8)
The popular producing team of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear apply their heightened energy to 9-1-1. An extreme police procedural series, 9-1-1 follows first responders who tackle some very unusual emergencies. 9-1-1 benefits from how its perspective extends beyond the police and also looks at firefighters and other crucial dispatchers. The unbelievable scenarios continue to deliver and the characters have real heart behind them - even if the cast frequently changes. The successful formula that 9-1-1 builds upon works so well that a spin-off, 9-1-1: Lone Star, has also come together.
6 The Blacklist Combines Good Acting With Compelling Criminals (Score: 8.0)
The Blacklist has faced some bumps across its eight seasons. Blacklist continues to tell powerful, well-acted stories that still hit hard after nearly 200 episodes. The core story that initially drove Red Reddington's actions forward has gone past its expiration point. But, the caliber of criminals that he chases remains compelling. The Blacklist has been able to last because of James Spader's charisma and what he brings to the lead role. Even when the writing takes a dip in quality, it's held up by Spader's commitment to the part.
5 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Has Become TV Police’s Longest Tradition (Score: 8.0)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has more than 500 episodes. It has surpassed its progenitor, and some of the younger generation have never been alive in a world that doesn't feature Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson leading the NYPD's Special Victims Unit forward.
SVU may occasionally feel like a parody of itself, but it's always satisfying. SVU learned how to make its police procedural formula work as effectively as possible with these exaggerated stories that rip from the headlines. There can often be a fine line between good and bad, but Law & Order: Special Victims Unit lives in that place.
4 The Rookie Reflects The Awe Of Police Work Through Fresh Eyes (Score: 8.1)
Audiences love second chances, stories of redemption, and when someone who thinks that they're out of the game is actually just getting into it. The Rookie has all of those things. The Rookie centers around John Nolan, a man who becomes inspired to join the LAPD after he inadvertently helps the police during a bank robbery.
Nolan's outside perspective is enough to keep The Rookie feeling fresh, but a lot of its success has to do with Fillion's magnetism. He's an actor that people will follow over to new shows, regardless of their premise.
3 Chicago P.D. Emphasizes The City’s Support System (Score: 8.1)
Dick Wolf's modern "Chicago-verse" has found tremendous success by narrowing in on the different utilities that handle problems in the city. Chicago P.D. is the most established of the Chicago series and is almost in its tenth season.
Chicago P.D. has an eclectic mix of crimes to pull from. All of the crimes accentuate the city's dangers and the levels of heroism and intelligence required to overcome them. Sgt. Hank Voight has grown into a fearless leader and it’s always captivating to watch him throw everything into his work. He values the survival of Chicago over his own life.
2 Mayor Of Kingstown Dissects Crime From A Unique Perspective (Score: 8.2)
Every streaming service wants to have their own original prestige drama that's led by an A-list celebrity. Paramount+ recently debuted Mayor Of Kingstown with the in-demand Jeremy Renner. Mayor Of Kingstown specifically focuses on abuses of power and the corruption of Michigan's prison system.
It shines a light on a different aspect of police procedure. Mayor Of Kingstown is still only in its first season, so it's possible that this early goodwill will be lost over time. Hopefully Mayors Of Kingstown maintains this momentum.
1 Fargo Is An Elegant Tale Of Corruption Told Through Anthology Storytelling (Score: 8.9)
There’s been a popular trend in the past decade where popular movies are turned to for the inspiration of new television shows. One of the most successful examples of this is Noah Hawley’s Fargo. Tonally and stylistically paying service to the Coen Brothers, Fargo forges its own interconnected narrative through anthology storytelling.
Each season of Fargo examines a different time period of corruption. Admittedly, seasons three and four aren’t received as well as the first two. However, there’s still such love for the Fargo’s high points that the show’s score remains impressive despite its faults.