Parents' Guide to

Cops

By Beth Pratt, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Suspects caught on tape. Too violent for kids.

TV Fox , Syndicated Reality TV 1989
Cops Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 9 parent reviews

Firefly D.
Firefly D. Parent of 8 and 10-year-old
June 12, 2023
age 10+

This title has:

Educational value
Too much violence
Aiden M.
Aiden M. Adult
April 17, 2023
age 18+
Too violent for kids and teens, I think this show should be for mature audiences. There is too much drugs and alcohol Plus sometimes the criminals fight back This deserves an 18+ rating

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 9 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (25 ):

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

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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 suggesting a diversity update.

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