Cop Shows

This list goes out to all the men and women in law enforcment.



A mix of British and American cop shows; including the FBI and specialist task forces. This list is ranked from my most to least favourite. If you think of any more, please let me know. If the adaptation is based on a series of novels; I've placed a link to the author rather than a specific book.

The 'Cop Show' here, is generic term for any show following an individual or body of law enforcement, be it P.C, F.B.I, C.S.I or P.I.

'Interesting' aside
Slang terms for


Bacon: Derived from Pigs: often used in the structure "I smell bacon" to warn of the approaching presence of an officer.

Bizzies: Common Liverpool slang term for the police, it was invented as the police were always too "busy" to help.

Bobby: This can occur with a mixture of affection and slight irony in the phrase "village bobby", nowadays referring to the local community police officer.

Boys in blue: A reference to the blue uniform worn by some officers.

Brass: Term originating from the brass badges that police carry in order to identify themselves.

Cop or Copper: While commonly believed to be an acronym for Constable On Patrol, the term refers to "one who captures or snatches".

Ducks and Geese: Cockney rhyming slang for police.

Feds: Usually used in the United States to refer to higher federal law enforcement agencies, especially the F.B.I.

Filth: a widespread term used in several countries, very popular in London, where it is pronounced "Filf".

(Name of city)'s Finest: Used in either admiration, or slightly derisive irony, in the United States.

Fuzz: This North American term first appeared in the 1920s and gained popularity in the 1930s.
The Gaver: Cockney rhyming slang for the police - unknown origin - London.

The Guards: Irish term for the Garda Síochána

The Heat: American; putting the heat on someone.

Heavy or Heavies: Cockney rhyming slang for the Flying Squad, from the Heavy Mob.

Jake: A common term used and created in New York City, New York

John Law or Johnny Law: Used across the United States.

Johnny Hopper: Cockney rhyming slang for copper

Law or The Law: Probably an abbreviation of the phrase "The long arm of the law".

The Man: A derisive term popular during the 1960s and 1970s during the anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian movements.

Mr. Plod, P.C. Plod or Plodder: a British term that arose from the Noddy books by Enid Blyton, in which Mr. Plod was the village policeman.

Nickers : A uncommon British term being a pun on "knickers" (female underwear). As well as the term 'nick', London slang for in 'to arrest'.

Old Bill/ OB: A term in use in London among other areas, inspiring the television series The Bill.

Pigs: This term became especially popular during the 1960s and 1970s in the underground hippie and anti-establishment culture.

Po-po or Po: A term used commonly by North American youth and rap artists.

Po-9: A term originating from "po-po", used mostly in the southern US.

Rashers: British slang derived from pigs.

Rozzers: A British term. To Rozz was slang for to roast in the East End of London.

Scuffers: An old British term, which came to prominence in the 1960s Merseyside-set BBC television series Z-Cars.

Scum: Used across Britain, as an insult to say that the police are lower than the criminals.

Snippers: An African-American term used mostly in North America.

Sweeney: Cockney rhyming slang for the Flying Squad, from Sweeney Todd, inspiring the television series The Sweeney.

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