The 1970s TV scene was awash in procedural crime dramas, but Police Story, which aired on NBC, stood apart with its gritty realism and focus on the human side of law enforcement. Created by Joseph Wambaugh, a former Los Angeles Police Department detective, the anthology series eschewed sensationalism, instead presenting a realistic portrayal of the everyday challenges and moral quandaries faced by police officers. Each episode centered on a different officer and a different case, often drawing inspiration from actual events. This choice gave the program a fresh perspective each week and allowed it to explore a range of issues, like police corruption, substance abuse, and the personal toll of the job.
What distinguished Police Story from other police dramas of its time was its dedication to authenticity. Wambaugh’s background informed the writing, imbuing the scripts with a sense of truth and avoiding the usual tropes often associated with the genre. The stories didn’t shy away from portraying the difficult realities that officers confront on a daily basis. Characters were not always the typical heroic figures; they were flawed individuals doing their best in difficult circumstances. The show also took care to humanize those on the other side of the law, presenting criminals not as mere villains, but as individuals who were often caught in webs of circumstance. This exploration of the grey areas of morality is something that many shows of this era didn’t do, instead opting for clear-cut heroes and villains.
The format of an anthology series allowed for a very impressive roster of actors to appear, often in roles that went against type. Over its five-season run, the series featured an array of talent including Tony Lo Bianco as Sgt. Jerry Belton, Michael Conrad as Sgt. Phil Kagen, Joe Santos as Lt. Frank Costa, Don Meredith as Officer Bert Jameson, and Dennis Weaver as Det. Charlie Roper. These were but a small handful of the many actors who rotated through the show’s storylines, some even recurring in different roles. This approach kept the program fresh and interesting, preventing it from becoming formulaic. It meant that viewers could tune in each week and expect to see something different, both in terms of the story and the characters. This type of anthology format was something of a rarity during this period, making Police Story a unique viewing experience. The show’s realism, coupled with its focus on characters and their personal struggles, garnered critical acclaim, with many highlighting its honest and unflinching approach to the lives of police officers.
Police Story was able to bring to television screens a viewpoint not seen previously. The show would become a huge hit and it also served as a launchpad for a number of spin-offs, like the popular Police Woman. The success and impact of this program cannot be overstated. It played a large part in shaping how police work was portrayed in television and movies for many years to come. The show was unflinching in its presentation of the realities of police work, something that resonated with the viewing public, proving that audiences were looking for more authentic portrayals of the criminal justice system.
Police Story aired on NBC.
Years ran: 1973-1978
Number of Episodes: 106
Creators: Joseph Wambaugh
Cast: Tony Lo Bianco, Michael Conrad, Joe Santos, Don Meredith, Dennis Weaver
