Best Episodes
COPS is one of the first (and only) true and UNSCRIPTED reality shows, it follows the activities of police officers by embedding camera crews with police units.The show’s formula follows the Cinéma vérité convention, with no narration or scripted dialog, depending entirely on the commentary of the officers and on the actions of the people with whom they come into contact.COPS has followed officers in 140 different cities in the United States and also has been shot in Hong Kong, London, and the former Soviet Union. Each episode is approximately 22 minutes in length and typically consists of three segments, with each segment being one or two self-contained police incidents.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 10, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
A driverless vehicle goes into an apartment complex; a suspect isn't fast enough to evade police; officers stumble upon a 7-year-old boy who left home alone.
The episode was rated 7.25 from 159 votes.
A man begs police to shoot him; an intoxicated woman is arrested for domestic assault; officers deal with a dysfunctional family.
The episode was rated 7.26 from 46 votes.
A woman uses a tow service employee's body for batting practice; a man explains his medicinal meth use; a couple tries to convince officers they didn't shoplift.
The episode was rated 7.27 from 157 votes.
A suspect goes out to get his haircut and winds up in jail. Officers try to piece together a puzzling street fight between a boxer and his confused friend. Cops give a suspect every chance to admit to his obvious crime.
The episode was rated 7.28 from 58 votes.
A man hiding in an attic comes crashing through the ceiling; officers stop a man with a broken car; police respond to a complaint of cursing neighbours.
The episode was rated 7.29 from 70 votes.
A cyclist gives officers a bloody fight; a scared caregiver tries to evict an unwanted helper; tinfoil lands an unlicensed driver in hot water.
The episode was rated 7.30 from 175 votes.
A fleeing thief runs into a patrolman; an armed-robbery victim gives a colourful overview of surveillance footage; officers return tearful children to their estranged mother.
The episode was rated 7.31 from 147 votes.
A jaywalker darts on a mad dash through the weeds; things go badly for a suspect on a stolen motorcycle when choppers help officers track him down; a domestic dispute leads cops to a slew of unexpected crimes.
The episode was rated 7.32 from 66 votes.
Three men try to convince cops they had no idea their vehicle was stolen. Officers respond after a partygoer mistakes another guest’s finger for dessert. A domestic abuse suspect makes police run through the streets.
The episode was rated 7.33 from 67 votes.
An extremely understanding cop gives a resistant suspect too many chances. A driver reminds us why we should never let a friend borrow our car. A man with a supped-up vehicle tells an awful lie to police.
The episode was rated 7.33 from 57 votes.
A group of suspects race a stolen SUV through a residential neighborhood. A drunk man has a kitchen knife and a listening problem. Two usual suspects are going back to jail for their latest escapades.
The episode was rated 7.35 from 85 votes.
A suspect uses bizarre driving techniques to elude cops. A tough officer wades through a forest of denial before finding the crack. Police search for a man accused of shooting up the neighborhood.
The episode was rated 7.39 from 61 votes.
A speedy suspect makes officers chase him through a creek. A teenage Good Samaritan gets in the middle of a bizarre domestic dispute. After a woman destroys her home, she begs police to arrest her.
The episode was rated 7.40 from 86 votes.
Officers attempt to piece together whether or not an erratic driver is in a stolen vehicle, a knife-wielding man complains that rude neighbors won’t stop smoking pot and a highly emotional man has a blade to his throat.
The episode was rated 7.40 from 113 votes.
Bryce Dion was a 7-year veteran of COPS who was tragically killed during production. Comprised of clips from his work, this tribute episode displays his courage and commitment to showing the challenges faced by law enforcement.
The episode was rated 7.72 from 81 votes.
