Book 'em: The 20 best police procedurals ever, ranked

From the early days of dramatic radio broadcasts, to the dawn of television, there's always been police procedurals to enrapture and entertain with depictions of how police would manage to solve even the toughest crimes. On Sept. 20, 1968, one of the more memorable procedurals premiered on CBS. "Hawaii Five-O," starring Jack Lord as a dapper, no-nonsense chief of a special task force based in Hawaii, gave viewers something new, taking police work from the gritty streets of some metropolis to a virtual paradise. To celebrate the original show's 50th ('Five-O'th?) anniversary, we count down the 20 best police procedurals ever.

The third of CBS' foundation of police procedural dramas (Including "CSI" and "NCIS"), "Criminal Minds" features the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), a team focused as much on profiling the unknown criminal as solving the crime. Known for its major cast changes and its attention to procedural detail, the show's success led to a couple of spinoffs, neither lasting more than two seasons. Despite that, audiences are still hooked on the original show, and with a recent renewal, it looks like "Criminal Minds" will be around for some time to come.

Spun off from "JAG," "NCIS" started in 2003 spurred on not only by the popularity of "JAG," but also by the procedural style made popular by "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." Starring Mark Harmon as the lead investigator of the Navy's Major Case Response Team (MCRT), the show features an eclectic cast, focusing on crimes involving members of the Navy or Marines. The instant success of the show spawned a pair of others, starting with "NCIS: Los Angeles" in 2009 followed by "NCIS: New Orleans" in 2014. 

A juggernaut that almost singlehandedly revived CBS as a top network, "CSI" spawned four series, each focusing on forensics, a different aspect of police investigation often shuffled off to the background. The shows contributed to a cultural impact that manifested in the form of "the CSI effect," leading to an increase in college students enrolling in forensic science courses. The success of the franchise also had a downside, as criminals in real life were using what they saw on TV to cover up their crimes. For CBS, however, it was the beginning of a resurgence in police procedurals that continues to this day.

A starring vehicle for Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer" was the story of CIA-trained Atlanta transplant Brenda Leigh Johnson — known for her ability to close cases — who is tasked with heading LAPD's Major Crimes Division. It takes the baton from shows such as "Police Woman" and "Cagney and Lacey" by featuring a female lead who successfully commands the respect of her colleagues while also establishing a power structure that makes her an asset in an area long dominated by sexism. After Sedgwick's departure in 2012, the show would spin off with the remaining cast as "Major Crimes."

Created by former officer and novelist Joseph Wambaugh, 'Police Story' was both a procedural and an anthology. Instead of choosing to focus on one story or a group of cops, "Police Story" depicted a wider variety of police work and personnel, from top administration to rookie beat cops. One of the benefits of this was the opportunity to test out different characters for later development. An example was a first season episode starring Angie Dickinson, which would spin off as "Police Woman," lasting four seasons.

If there was a police procedural that screamed '80s, it would be Michael Mann's groundbreaking "Miami Vice." The show starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as partners who routinely went undercover to bust drug rings during the heyday of Miami's "Cocaine Cowboys" era. It was a unique fusion of flashy visuals and Top 40 music, making it a cop show for the MTV generation. A concern at the time, however, was that it used the colorful scenery to disguise what was by far the most violent show on network television at the time, something that dogged the series despite it being a compelling drama with substance.

As much a buddy comedy as a procedural, "Psych" starred James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a normal wiseacre whose innate ability to notice the most minute details gets him mistaken as a psychic, which he uses to his advantage alongside his best friend Gus (Dulé Hill). Of course if anyone knew the truth, their "psychic" detective agency would be in danger. "Psych" enjoyed solid ratings and a devoted fan base that identified with the lead characters and their misadventures. 

A first for police procedurals, "Cagney and Lacey" featured a pair of women who were also New York City detectives  (Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless) tasked with balancing the job, varying home lives and sexism in the workplace. Considered a hallmark for feminism on network TV, "Cagney and Lacey" fought for ratings throughout its seven-season run but managed to stay afloat due to critical acclaim and a strong overseas following, where airings were routinely in the top 10 on BBC1 in Great Britain. Both Daly and Gless were recognized for their work, each receiving multiple Emmys in the "Outstanding Lead Actress" category.

Jack Lord starred for 12 seasons as Detective Captain Steve McGarrett, head of a specialized task force known as "Five-O," a play on Hawaii's status as the 50th state. McGarrett tackled the toughest crime on the islands at the highest level, battling organized crime and other nefarious organizations. Known for the classic catchphrase, "Book'em, Danno," the show's paradise setting was every bit as important as the action in a police procedural that seemed ahead of its time, yet memorable enough to spur a revival/reboot in 2010 that shares the longevity and popularity of the original.

Telly Savalas starred as the tough yet impossibly cool Detective Theo Kojak for four seasons of "Kojak." It was New York City and featured the sort of squad room banter played up for even greater effect in later shows like "Hill Street Blues." Yet despite the slight humor, "Kojak" was all about business, as the titular hero used his wit and sometimes his brawn to break even the most hardened criminal. Savalas shined in the role, one he would later reprise in 1989 in a series of TV movies for ABC, bringing back his trademark lollipops and iconic phrase, "Who loves ya, baby?"

Created by industry titans Steven Bochco and David Milch, "NYPD Blue" promised to be a different type of police procedural. The show featured emotionally and morally flawed characters and toed a tight line as it displayed the negative effects of police work on those tasked with carrying it out. Originally a vehicle for breakout star David Caruso, "NYPD Blue" only grew stronger in his abrupt departure after only two seasons. Lead characters, like Detective Andy Sipowicz, were shown dealing with personal tragedy while also wrestling with personal demons throughout the show's run, making for thoughtful and compelling viewing during its 12 seasons.

Based on Baltimore journalist David Simon's book "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets," NBC produced seven seasons of this groundbreaking show focusing on a Baltimore PD homicide unit. "Homicide" featured a career-making performance from Andre Braugher alongside an accomplished cast and was nominated for multiple awards throughout its run. Despite its critical acclaim, the show never attracted the audience like other NBC procedurals such as "Law & Order," did. However, after its cancellation in 1999, one character, Detective John Munch (Richard Belzer) would move to the popular "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

"Monk" followed in the footsteps of quirky detectives like "Columbo," and starred Tony Shalhoub as ex-police detective Adrian Monk, lovingly described as the "defective detective' for eight seasons on "Monk." Adding a realistic layer to his quirkiness, Monk, while extremely bright and perceptive, suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition that simultaneously hindered and helped his investigations. Audiences loved "Monk" largely due to its humane treatment of a real-life disorder, showing how people afflicted can be functional in society, even with the occasional difficulty. 

For everyone clamoring for Idris Elba to be the next James Bond, his greatest and most enduring character is far from a secret agent — and a lot more complicated. "Luther," airing on BBC (and BBA America), stars Elba as Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) John Luther, a fierce and doggedly dedicated detective whose drive to solve a crime often borders on dangerous obsession. Able to see details most others overlook, Luther's abilities as a crime solver also routinely place his personal life in peril, as those he holds closest often end up suffering in one way or another. 

Peter Falk practically invented the "quirky" detective with his portrayal of the ever-rumpled Lieutenant Frank Colombo, first on the 1971 - 78 version of "Columbo" and later reprising the character for a number of TV movies on ABC until 2003. Hiding his savvy and intelligence underneath an affable and aloof veneer, Colombo succeeded in always getting his man largely because he would pander to their perceived intelligence. He never let his suspects think he could outwit them until it was too late...for them.

If not the best, "Dragnet" is without question the most famous and influential police procedural in history. The dream child of producer and star, Jack Webb, 'Dragnet' began as a radio program in 1949 (continuing through 1957, with a presence on both TV and radio), segueing to network television for its first run of eight seasons in 1951 and returning for a second series in 1967. It was known for its iconic theme and standard opening, "The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent," and it forever lives as a hallmark for police procedurals. "Dragnet" manages to live in one form or another in every show that followed.

FX's "The Shield" was a unique procedural in that unlike so many similar shows that presented their protagonists as good cops trying to make a difference, the officers of Strike Team are all, to varying degrees, extremely crooked cops. In fact, the majority of the crime-solving on "The Shield" was mostly meant to cover up other significantly larger crimes. Featuring a standout cast including Michael Chiklis as Strike Team leader, Vic Mackey, and Walt Goggins as his best friend and partner, Shane Vendrell, "The Shield" was uncompromising and compelling television.

Airing for seven seasons as an anchor of Thursday night programming on NBC, "Hill Street Blues" was not only a solid procedural, but it also delivered compelling drama. Week in and week out, the struggle between "right" and "what works" served as an instant time capsule in the cynicism of urban life in the Reagan '80s. It was one of the first series to explore the toll police work can take on cops, detailed by a quote from Sergeant Phil Esterhaus (Michael Conrad), who finished up roll call with the iconic line, "Let's be careful out there."

Created by former Baltimore police reporter David Simon, "The Wire" goes even deeper into the relationship of the city to law enforcement in a way that is more compelling than "Homicide: Life on the Street" was able to. As a procedural, "The Wire" excelled in depicting how society and politics were so intertwined and how both often conspired to hinder police investigations, creating a vicious cycle that only breeds hopelessness and cynicism. It showed the toll such institutions can take on the human condition.

After 28 years and nearly 1,200 episodes in the can, Dick Wolf's "Law & Order" franchise is the undisputed king of police procedurals. Since its 1990 premiere, the franchise spawned seven series in the U.S. and more than a dozen internationally. "Law & Order's" success comes largely from its simplicity: The original series (1990-2010) eschewed standard dramatic tropes for police investigation followed by prosecution. Subsequent series delved more into the personal lives of its protagonists, but "Law & Order's" desire to present cases "by the book" keeps it going to this day, with the newest series, "Law & Order: Hate Crimes," scheduled to premiere in 2019.