No one wants to run into a corrupt cop in real life, but these shows are proof that a maverick who doesn't play by the rules makes for great television.

THE X-FILES, Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, 1993-2002. photo: Chris H.B. / © Fox Network / Courtesy: Everett Collection Image via FOX Over the years, network ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti and Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva in HBO's hit television series 'The Sopranos.' ...

Krychek looking over Trello's shoulder in Crime Story (1986) - NBC Among the best cop shows of all time, you'll find a mix of hugely popular entries that remain on the air to this day ("Law & Order"); ...

See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Sonny Grosso's got a mission. He's fed up, he says, with the bad rap ...

From gritty procedurals to slow-burn character studies, cop shows have dominated television for decades, shaping how we see justice, crime, and the badge itself. Fans argue endlessly over which series ...

Over the years, network television has experimented with the typical law enforcement procedural style to offer another perspective on the well-worn concept. This genre-based take, often called the ...