Well, historically, the best cop shows I ever watched were NYPD Blue and Hill Street Blues. Both were cutting edge, and probably stand up to scrutiny now. NYPD Blue had an ex homicide detective on board as a producer, and he provided a lot of the, true, storylines, Bill Clark was his name if my memory serves me well. Dennis Franz, now retired, starred in both shows and brought NYPD Blue to life, if you’ve never seen It, you really ought to. The great Steven Bochco wrote and produced on both shows, sadly passed away in 2018…
I find a lot of Italian & Scandinavian crime box sets & series knock UK PC corrected stuff into the weeds.
The Bridge, Ice Cold Murders etc. Dark, cerebral, sometimes brutal, and lots of bodies on slabs. Lovely.
Currently on BBC IPlayer " Those who Kill" has my current attention. Ch4 is a good source but youneed to give the robbing swines 4 quid a month to dodge the ads. But it’s worth it if you can abide sub titles.
Just make sure you have had dinner.
I would agree with sdg111 regarding NYPD. It was noted for it realistic portrayal of police life, at the time, in the Big Apple. Although it would seem tame by today’s standards at the time the first series was aired in the states it was broadcast with a warning about the contents. Denis Franz was the lead, with David Carruso having left at the end of the first season. Franz went on to win four Emmys, the show won twenty prime time Emmys. It is considered by most critics to have set the standard which has lead to shows like the Wire and many others. If you can watch it I would certainly recommend it.
‘No Activity’ for me, the original’Stan’ Aussie cop comedy!
Aired on BBC 2 couple of years ago, then on I player. Vanished for a while, then I paid for download on Amazon Prime series 1 and 2
It’s probably cult viewing but I find it hilarious!
Search for ‘million buses sketch’ on tinterweb
Thin blue line was brilliant! Funny you mention that as we’ve just re-watched Blake’s 7 from back in the 70’s and detective Grim from thin blue line was in it (obviously considerably younger!)
The Thin Blue Line is great, we liked ‘No Offence’ a mix of drama with some comedy inserted here and there. More serious stuff ‘Endeavour’ or ‘George Gently’ are the more recent one’s we like.