Originally by Ranker TVList RulesVote up your favorite shows that focus on the process of cops and detectives solving crimes over episodes and seasons.
The very best police procedural shows on television, ranked from best to worst. What is it about a group of detectives that can carry a series for years and years? Some of the longest-running drama shows have been police procedurals, including the original Law & Order, which ran for 22 seasons and spawned multiple spin-offs, and Dragnet, which aired 450 episodes. This list of the greatest police procedural shows focuses on series that follow the police - civilian or military - as they solve crimes.
Popular police procedural TV shows have been a staple of television for years, so there's often debate about which is the most entertaining in a genre that spans so many styles. While some cop whodunit shows like Bones have a bit of whimsical comedy in each episode, procedural dramas like SVU are darker with gritty grimes. What is your favorite police procedural show? Do you prefer the higher stakes found in military police procedural shows like NCIS? Don't let your favorite cop dramas and detective series get to the bottom of the list. Be sure to vote them up so they have the chance to reach the top spot. The list of police procedural television shows below includes information like the program's cast and premiere date when available. With shows ranging from Criminal Minds to Dexter, this is a great starting point for a list of your favorites.
What do you think are the best police procedurals? What are your favorite current cop shows?
1
789306Criminal Minds
Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler
2
579310NCIS
Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly- 3600285
The Mentalist
Simon Baker, Robin Tunney - 4443199
Psych
James Roday, Dulé Hill - 5548178
Bones
Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz - 6466215
Castle
Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic - 7459250
Law & Order
Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin - 8246110
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Kathryn Erbe, Vincent D'Onofrio - 9308155
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Laurence Fishburne, Marg Helgenberger - 10310162
Monk
Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram - 11260116
The Closer
Kyra Sedgwick, J.K. Simmons - 12315176
Rizzoli & Isles
Angie Harmon, Sasha Alexander - 1322296
Cold Case
Kathryn Morris, Danny Pino - 14350196
Dexter
Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter - 15220140
NYPD Blue
Dennis Franz, Gordon Clapp - 16270171
Blue Bloods
Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan - 17554173
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni - 18197152
CSI: NY
Gary Sinise, Carmine Giovinazzo - 19179142
Hill Street Blues
Daniel J. Travanti, Michael Warren - 20320112
Elementary
Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu - 2114895
Without a Trace
Anthony LaPaglia, Poppy Montgomery - 22291134
Lie to Me
Tim Roth, Kelli Williams - 23159125
CSI: Miami
David Caruso, Emily Procter - 24131110
NCIS: New Orleans
Scott Bakula, Lucas Black - 259285
In Plain Sight
Mary McCormack, Frederick Weller
