# The best cop shows of all time

From Hill Street Blues to The Wire: the police series critics and fans rank highest (Paste, Screen Rant, Ranker).

- 228 votes · 12 items
- May 27, 2024 · bingewatcher_philly
- https://even.best/en/l/1990/the-best-cop-shows-of-all-time

## Top 12

1. **NYPD Blue (1993–2005)** (23 · ▲24 ▼1) — Realism that redefined the genre.
2. **Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)** (21 · ▲23 ▼2) — The groundbreaking series that paved the way for modern police dramas.
3. **The Wire (2002–2008)** (19 · ▲23 ▼4) — Baltimore's drug trade, police and institutions, unflinching.
4. **Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999)** (19 · ▲19 ▼0) — Baltimore homicide detectives, from David Simon's book.
5. **Happy Valley (2014–2023)** (15 · ▲16 ▼1) — Sarah Lancashire's sergeant in West Yorkshire.
6. **Columbo (1968–2003)** (14 · ▲16 ▼2) — Peter Falk's raincoat and «just one more thing».
7. **The Shield (2002–2008)** (14 · ▲16 ▼2) — Vic Mackey's corrupt strike team.
8. **Prime Suspect (1991–2006)** (13 · ▲15 ▼2) — Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison.
9. **Line of Duty (2012–2021)** (12 · ▲17 ▼5) — Anti-corruption unit AC-12 and its famous interrogations.
10. **True Detective (season 1, 2014)** (8 · ▲9 ▼1) — Rust Cohle and Marty Hart in Louisiana.
11. **Starsky & Hutch (1975–1979)** (5 · ▲9 ▼4) — The quintessential 70s buddy cop show.
12. **Dragnet (1967–1970)** (3 · ▲10 ▼7) — Sergeant Joe Friday and «just the facts».

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.