There's no denying that police procedurals are popular in the world of television. These shows manage to showcase the intensity of crime scenes without becoming stale or boring. Not to mention, a lot of these shows manage to find a particular niche, providing fans with a ton of diversity and nuance.
While fans don't necessarily want these shows to be realistic, a few hiccups can cause a procedural to seem more like a sitcom than a gripping drama. It's evident that fans want to enjoy a fast-paced show without too much exposition, but a lot of police procedurals have the habit of including a lot of odd details to keep the plot flowing. As such, these details often keep audiences from fully immersing themselves in the story.
An Over-Reliance on Forensics
CSI
CSI first premiered in 2000 and swiftly introduced fans to the alluring and complex world of forensics. The investigators would commonly rely on DNA testing, fingerprints, and other biological factors to help them solve a wealth of bizarre cases. While this show transformed the way audiences consume police shows, it led to a strange phenomenon called The CSI Effect.
Where to Stream CSI | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Paramount+ | 7.7/10 | 80% |
This theory states that because of this franchise, jurors now demand more forensic evidence and tend to disregard circumstantial evidence. In reality, forensics only tells one part of the story, and law enforcement would have a very difficult time uncovering a case just from DNA evidence. As such, while this side of police procedurals is exciting, they aren't as influential as fans would believe.
All of the Cases Are Exciting
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Image by Morena Perez Vitale
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has stood at the forefront of this genre since 1999 and continues to appease its vast fan base. The show centers around a specialist unit of the NYPD, which aims to get to the bottom of sexually deviant crimes. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Olivia Benson and her peers deal with some pretty sinister stuff.
Where to Stream Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Netflix | 8.1/10 | 78% |
Yet, shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit promote the idea that detectives only handle riveting cases. Of course, fans know that deep down, this isn't the case, and even the best in the business often have to deal with minor issues like getting cats out of trees. However, fans can often overlook this weird detail because they're fully aware that without these unusual cases, police procedurals wouldn't be as addictive.
The Detectives Only Talk to One Another
Line of Duty
Image via BBC
It makes perfect sense that certain police departments have built good relationships over the years. These detectives often spend all day together, so it's assumed that they would occasionally share personal anecdotes or a bit of banter. However, the British drama Line of Duty takes the AC-12's loyalty too far and rarely shows the characters talking to anyone else.
Where to Stream Line of Duty | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Amazon Prime Video | 8.7/10 | 96% |
Keep in mind that this show is set in a vast subsection of the East Midlands Constabulary, so it's likely that the team are squashed into a large office building like any other department. Thus, it seems strange that the cast never rubs shoulders with other colleagues or grabs a cup of coffee with a member of another team. Perhaps the writer wanted to make the AC-12 as tight-knit as possible so that its secrets didn't seep out.
No One Has to Do Any Admin
Criminal Minds
Image via CBS
While a lot of fans might not realize it, working in law enforcement requires a ton of admin. These workers are required to keep track of all of the evidence as well as everything they do. Yet, this is rarely shown on TV, even in police procedurals where a lot of investigations occur.
Where to Stream Criminal Minds | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Paramount+ | 8.7/10 | 96% |
Criminal Minds focuses on the Behavioral Investigations Unit (BAU) as they try to tap into the minds of various killers to try and understand why they committed their crimes. This is a remarkably tough job, but the team rarely even takes notes, let alone file any essential documents. Although endless amounts of paperwork would make this show a lot less riveting, fans would like to see a tiny spot of realism in this beloved series.
People Confess Too Easily
Criminal Record
Image via Apple TV
Starring Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo, Criminal Record sees two detectives clashing over an old murder case. But when new evidence starts to emerge, the characters must work together to find peace in a divided community. This series tackles the theme of gang violence in London, showcasing a lot of young men who would rather remain loyal to their peers than be on the right side of justice.
Where to Stream Criminal Record | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Apple TV | 7.1/10 | 90% |
Although these actors give very convincing performances, a lot of fans find it hard to believe that these gang members would confess to their crimes so easily. Not only does it make the perpetrators seem fickle, but it suggests that the detectives are relatable to these types of criminals. Though this show is completely riveting, audiences don't buy that the detectives are that good at integration.
Police Chases Can Go On for Miles
FBI
FBI and its associated spin-offs showcase what's so great about police procedurals. These shows are packed with action and use an array of three-dimensional characters to give each storyline a personal touch. As such, it's evident that this team is always on the go and never has the chance to put their feet up.
Where to Stream FBI | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Paramount+ | 7.1/10 | 63% |
However, an odd thing about this franchise is that the police chases go on far too long. In almost every circumstance, the suspect darts off, and the crew is forced to chase them from a wealth of streets. In reality, this would rarely happen because the FBI would rather keep its staff safe than have them aimlessly chase after criminals all day.
Working Hours Go Out of the Window
Strike
Image via HBO
Based on J.K. Rowling's lesser-known book series, Cormoran Strike, this police procedural is a bit different from the others on this list. Strike follows the titular character as he runs a small private detective agency with his assistant, Robin Ellacott. Together, the pair work to uncover some of the seediest crimes in London, particularly those that the Met no longer want to deal with.
Where to Stream Strike | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Max | 7.9/10 | 77% |
Even though these detectives work for themselves, they seem to have pretty unusual schedules. Strike and Ellacott seem to work way into the night or get up at the crack of dawn to start solving crimes. It often makes fans wonder if Tin Pan Alley follows any type of employment laws at all or whether it expects its employees to work around the clock.
The Detectives Have Too Much Faith in DNA
Scott & Bailey
Image via ITV
When it comes to police procedurals, Scott & Bailey is the ultimate hidden gem. The show focuses on two female detectives as they learn to throw whatever the Manchester Police Department throws at them. Since they deal with a lot of murder cases, the women are well aware of how DNA testing can impact the chance of convicting a suspect.
Where to Stream Scott & Bailey | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
BritBox | 8.0/10 | 98% |
However, it could be argued that this show relies too much on DNA matches and refuses to look at the bigger picture. DNA can be transferred by a simple touch and can remain on certain garments for hours after a crime. Thus, Scott & Bailey has a tendency to place all of its eggs in one basket and uses a simple DNA sample to build an entire profile.
Crime Scenes Are Processed Super Quickly
S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T. has a long history on primetime TV and even after two brutal cancelations, the show still managed to captivate a wealth of engaged fans. While its explosive scenes and high-adrenaline storylines can be forgiven for being a bit unrealistic, a lot of fans take issue with the crime scenes. As soon as Hondo and his team witness an event, the LAPD is already working on building a full profile and analyzing evidence.
Where to Stream S.W.A.T. | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Netflix | 7.2/10 | 68% |
Unfortunately, crime scenes can take weeks to process and even then, it's unlikely that the staff will get their hands on the evidence until everything is logged. Yet, it's understandable why writers rely on this faux pas. Writers are keen to grab the audience's attention straight away, so it seems a bit pointless if the entire episode is focused on processing a single crime scene.
The Detectives Don’t Have Personal Lives
The Closer
Although Brenda Leigh Johnson has the ability to close just about any case, she doesn't seem to have much of a personal life. Like a lot of other female detectives, she refuses to engage in a committed relationship and would rather have a scandalous dalliance with her boss, Will Pope. Thus, all of these things make fans wonder why none of these detectives have normal lives.
Where to Stream The Closer | IMDb Score | RT Score |
|---|---|---|
Peacock | 7.8/10 | 83% |
Thousands of people work for the police across America, the majority of whom live deeply mundane lives like everyone else. Plus, The Closer refuses to let Johnson be happy and consistently forces her to undergo a series of emotional traumas. As such, it seems that TV detectives can't help but take the job home with them.
