Rookies

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.