Parents need to know that since this series centers around a police chief who works in a crime-ridden community, many episodes deal with crimes like murder, drug dealing, and kidnapping. This makes the program absorbing fare -- but also too violent and confusing for tweens and younger kids.
Positive messages:The police officers take their jobs seriously and act professionally when responding to crime. Many thorny, complex issues are dealt with -- adoption vs. foster care, etc. Cast members are somewhat diverse. One character's Christianity plays into some episodes' storylines and subplots.
Violence:Since this program takes place in one of America's most crime-ridden cities, it deals with murder, burglary, and other crimes. Law enforcement officials and criminals use guns. Some graphic scenes (stabbing, strangling, etc.), but not as severe/bloody as some other crime/legal dramas.