From the dark underbelly of crime-infested cities to the personal dramas of those who serve and protect, there's a wealth of series that echo the compelling vibe of Chicago PD.
So, whether you're craving the heart-pumping action of street chases, the psychological depth of complex characters, or the tangled web of law enforcement and politics, these 22 shows are primed to fill that Chicago PD-shaped void.
22. "19-2" (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 0%
A Canadian series centering on two Montreal police officers, a rookie and a veteran, dealing with personal and professional challenges in their patrol car, Sector 19-2.
21. "Memphis Beat" (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%
A police drama centered around a Memphis detective who is passionate about his city and moonlights as a blues musician, solving crimes in his uniquely soulful style.
20. "The District" (2000)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Based on the real-life experiences of a former New York deputy police commissioner, the series follows the efforts to reform the Washington D.C. police department and reduce crime in the city.
19. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%
This long-running series focuses on the detectives of the Special Victims Unit in New York City, investigating sexually related crimes and dealing with the effects of their demanding jobs on their personal lives.
18. "Major Crimes" (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%
A spin-off of "The Closer," this series follows Captain Sharon Raydor as she leads the LAPD's Major Crimes division, tackling high-profile cases and team dynamics.
17. "Detroit 1-8-7" (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
Set in Detroit, Michigan, this series follows the lives and cases of homicide detectives in the Detroit Police Department, exploring the challenges of working in a high-crime city.
16. "Third Watch" (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
The series focuses on the lives of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics in New York City, working the 3 PM to 11 PM "third watch" shift, dealing with the challenges and dangers of their jobs.
15. "Blue Bloods" (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
A drama about a multi-generational family of cops in New York City, led by Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, exploring the professional and personal dynamics among the family members.
14. "NYPD Blue" (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
An intense, gritty portrayal of life for the detectives of New York's 15th precinct, tackling personal demons and complex cases with a mix of realism and emotional depth.
13. "The Closer" (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson leads an LAPD division specializing in high-profile murder cases, using her unique ability to close cases and deal with internal politics.
12. "Rookie Blue" (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
A group of young, ambitious rookie cops navigate through the trials and tribulations of their professional and personal lives in their first years on the job at a Toronto police department.
11. "Criminal Minds" (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
FBI agents from the Behavioral Analysis Unit use profiling to catch serial killers and other criminals, delving into the psychology of crime and the personal lives of the agents.
10. "Flashpoint" (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
A Canadian series about an elite tactical unit, the Strategic Response Unit, which handles high-risk operations like hostage situations and gang violence, balancing intense cases with personal issues.
9. "Southland" (2009)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
A raw and authentic look at the Los Angeles Police Department, focusing on the lives and careers of officers and detectives, balancing personal challenges with the demands of policing in LA.
8. "The Shield" (2002)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
A morally ambiguous LA cop, Vic Mackey, leads an elite strike team that tackles crime but frequently blurs the line between legal and illegal methods, leading to complex ethical dilemmas.
7. "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Based on true stories, this series follows the work of a Baltimore homicide unit, delving into the professional and personal lives of detectives as they solve complex murder cases.
6. "The Wire" (2002)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Set in Baltimore, this series presents a detailed and unvarnished look at urban life, examining societal and institutional issues through the eyes of both law enforcement and drug-dealing organizations.
5. "Cold Case" (2003)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
A Philadelphia detective solves cold cases from different periods, revisiting old crimes and bringing closure to the victims' families, with each episode featuring music from the year in which the crime occurred.
4. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
A comedic take on a diverse group of detectives in the fictional 99th precinct of the NYPD in Brooklyn, blending humor with their cases, personal lives, and interactions with each other.
3. "Hill Street Blues" (1981)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
A groundbreaking series focusing on the daily lives of the officers and detectives at an urban police station, blending drama with realism in its portrayal of the challenges of police work.
2. "Bosch" (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
An LAPD homicide detective, Harry Bosch, works to solve complex cases while facing trials in his personal life and dealing with the political machinations within the police department.
1. "The Chicago Code" (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
In Chicago, an ambitious police superintendent and her former partner try to bring down corruption and crime in the city, facing political and personal challenges along the way.