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 runaway cyclist dips into a house to catch his breath. A deputy tries to cut a man some slack despite his mistakes. The owners of an empty house call the police when they hear someone else inside.
The episode was rated 6.82 from 38 votes.
A cyclist allegedly mistakes a deputy for a thief and tries to escape into the bushes. Police cut a dad some slack by not towing the family car. Two sisters catch the police's attention when they take their spat to the road.
The episode was rated 6.90 from 20 votes.
A pair of suspects on the run pretend they were busy napping. A man reaches for something in his pocket, but denies knowing what it is. A family calls the police after their roommate brandishes a gun.
The episode was rated 6.90 from 30 votes.
A man with multiple felony warrants gets one last taste of freedom before heading to prison. A speeding driver is arrested for the same thing he was arrested for the day before. A runaway suspect leaves a trail behind him.
The episode was rated 6.92 from 13 votes.
A family gets a huge scare when a fleeing suspect finds his way into their house. Police sort out a chaotic argument between two childhood friends. A woman in a suspicious vehicle plays fast and loose with the truth.
The episode was rated 7.05 from 20 votes.
During a traffic stop, a driver drops off his passenger before speeding away. Deputies are amazed when a man offers them an ID that looks nothing like him. Deputies investigate a case of road rage involving a gun.
The episode was rated 7.05 from 20 votes.
A deputy tries to cut a guy some slack after his relationship troubles got out of hand. A teenager gets a serious lesson in not drinking while underage. A couple is forced to take a raincheck on their wedding day.
The episode was rated 7.07 from 29 votes.
A very cooperative car thief tells deputies all about his good fortune. An argument over business leaves one man on the ground with a bloody mouth. The occupants of a truck are oblivious to what deputies find in the backseat.
The episode was rated 7.16 from 19 votes.
The owner of a stolen truck calls officers when he spots it in a nearby alley. A fleeing driver leads officers on a wild chase over a closed bridge. Police track down a suspect who gave a liquor store employee a phony $100 bill.
The episode was rated 7.18 from 17 votes.
Deputies gradually get to the bottom of a possible stolen vehicle. A woman asks the police to help her make a clean break from bad habits. A single woman tries to plan a date with an online suitor, but the night quickly goes awry.
The episode was rated 7.19 from 21 votes.
An elderly driver sacrifices his own van during his desperate escape attempt. A traffic stop on a suspended driver turns up more than anticipated. Several car occupants learn it's better to tell the truth from the start.
The episode was rated 7.22 from 23 votes.
A father-to-be kicks off a dangerous vehicle pursuit over something trivial. A car that ducked out of a DUI checkpoint attracts attention. Officers respond to a disturbance caused by a local man's erratic behavior.
The episode was rated 8.07 from 14 votes.
