Camera crews follow police officers while they work.

Follows real-life law enforcement officers from various regions and departments of the US armed with nothing but with cameras to capture their actions.—Bryan Hoch <[email protected]>

"Cops" was among the earliest reality-based law enforcement shows, and remains one of the most popular of the genre. Each week, a camera crew followed the activities and daily beats of the officers of a different city's police department. Incidents ranged from routine traffic stops that evolve into charging the subjects with drug-related offenses; domestic violence; high-speed chases; and stakeouts and raids. The success of "Cops" led to other similar programs, with varying degrees of success.—Brian Rathjen <[email protected]>