Rookies (A&E)

ROOKIES is an unscripted series in which former teachers, restaurant managers, soldiers, and other folks who've just graduated from the police academy head out on patrol for the first time. Filmed in Jefferson Parish, La., and Tampa, Fla., the series follow rookies and their veteran field training officers (FTOs) as they take to their squad cars and learn to survive on the streets. From conducting traffic stops to locating homicide victims, the new officers must learn how to deal with difficult and often dangerous situations while keeping themselves and their partners safe. They must also decide whether they're actually cut out for the career they've chosen.

Unlike most police reality series, Rookies offers a genuinely informative look at police training and the challenges that new officers face when starting their careers. Viewers get an honest glimpse of how hard it is for new police officers to transition from in-school training to the unglamorous real-world police environment. It also highlights the different techniques that FTOs use to teach their charges (once in a while veterans are shown enjoying some laughs at the newbies' expense, especially when they make some goofy mistakes).

But while Rookies is more educational than some of its predecessors, it still traffics in violence (including pools of blood and real dead bodies), some strong language, and drug activity. It also includes images of suspects from minority groups and lower-income communities that are consistent with those featured on police shows like COPS and Street Patrol. And despite a clear reminder that people are innocent until proven guilty at the beginning of each episode, it's often hard to remember that the people being handcuffed are still blameless in the eyes of the law. Older teens -- especially those interested in a career in law enforcement -- will probably be able to handle it, but it's really not for kids.

TV Rating: TV-14
Network: A&E
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: A&E