Common Sense Media Review
By Beth Pratt
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Suspects caught on tape. Too violent for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 23 kid reviews
Kids say that while the show provides interesting insights into a police officer's life, there's a consensus that it may not be suitable for younger viewers due to its frequent violence and mature themes. Some find entertainment in the show's portrayal of criminal behavior, but caution that it could present an unrealistic view of law enforcement, particularly for impressionable children.
- mature themes
- not suitable
- violent content
- educational aspects
- age recommendations
- entertainment value
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
COPS, one of the longest-running shows on TV and considered one of the first reality shows, follows police officers from across the country as they perform their jobs. A camera crew accompanies the officers as they respond to calls, and the action results from the often violent and bizarre encounters that the officers have once they arrive at the crime scene.
Is It Any Good?
Much of the show's appeal comes from getting a peek into the daily life of a police officer. However, the glimpse we're given isn't appropriate for kids. The calls that are chosen for each episode are selected for their shock value, and it's hard not to be shocked by much of the footage: drunken brawls, domestic arguments, and armed criminals that fight back. Also, at times it seems that both the suspects and the officers are performing for the cameras, so it's hard to tell how "real" these scenes are.
Crime scenes can be bloody, and suspects and officers often get seriously injured. A recent episode, for example, featured an armed suspect on the run, a bloody trailer-park brawl, and a domestic violence call. Unless your teen is considering a career in law enforcement, there doesn't seem to be much reason to expose your kids to this show.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether or not they think this is a fair representation of a police officer's job. Could every day on the job be this dangerous or exciting or outrageous? Do you think the officers and suspects would act differently if they weren't being followed by the cameras? Why has this show remained so popular for so long?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 11, 1989
- Cast : Burt Lancaster , Harry Newman
- Networks : Fox , Syndicated
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate