Arguably the finest depiction of the average law enforcement officer's daily routine ever recorded on film. With obsessive accuracy and superb, fact-based scripts, everything about this program resonates with truth. The direction is always crisp, sharp, and exciting. The writing nothing less than excellent. The on location shooting brings astonishing realism to every episode and one can almost smell the exhaust in the air. Martin Milner as Officer Pete Malloy is superb and brings authority, humanity, and depth to the role. Kent McCord is also quite good as the younger officer who learns from the experienced Malloy. Their teamwork and loyalty to one another is inspiring and they are wonderful role models for today's directionless, electronic obsessed youth. No other program in the history of television has served as such a tribute to the men and women who put their very lives on the line everyday to keep us safe. These are the heroes who stand on the parapets of law and order that guard civilization and protect it from anarchy. Adam-12 is a salute to their bravery and sense of duty. No one can view this show without feeling a sense of pride in what these men represent and the great nation they serve so selflessly.

Before one can even watch this they have to recognize Jack Webb's persona. All of the complexities of human interaction were present in the late '60s and early '70s but, unlike a lot of the relativistic 'gray' portrayals of law enforcement and crime today, they were not given a lot of air time. Adam-12 was simply a show depicting the 'best' of LAPD and 'how' things should have been done versus how they often were. Jack Webb's involvement with LAPD "and" (significantly) his support of the 'average cop' on the beat went way back and perhaps simply because he had a tough childhood and had to 'be responsible' much of his effort is to show accountability. He was never a cop, his military background was limited but he certainly produced a wonderfully entertaining yet simple "police drama" with Reed and Malloy. "1 Adam-12, see the woman..." and so it goes.These shows were sans profanity, obvious sexuality and even real violence. Significantly they lacked CGI and much in the way of volatility type action (explosions, car crashes and so forth) and really seemed more of 'a training film' process for civilians. Call it nostalgic but I liked that time and manner. Great series! Worth watching today.

I have been watching this through our library. I have found two episodes that dealt with police abuse of power. The first one was in season 3. Malloy is saved by an officer's quick thinking when he (Tony is his name) jumps on a moving forklift and gets the forks raised in time that he prevents Malloy from getting injured. Later on Tony is accused of blackmailing a man. Malloy and Reed get involved in trying to prove his innocence. Malloy (and later you find out Reed had been suspicious too) realizes that Tony has been using them - that he actually did blackmail the guy. Malloy tells him off and the officer does get in trouble. In another episode, I think it was season 5, Reed talks to a reserve officer who tells him that he witnessed an active duty officer use excessive force on a perpetrator. He doesn't want to say anything because he's just reserve and as everyone else thinks there's nothing wrong with the officer. Then Reed catches the same active duty officer choking a perpetrator whom has blacked out as a result. Reed talks to the Watch Commander because it really bothers him. The active duty officer ends up turning in his resignation and criminal charges are filed against the guy. This was one great television show and they don't make them like this any more. I really miss fantastic shows like this.

Having grown up watching Adam-12 with my Father (an LAPD officer at the time the show aired) and also having known Martin Millner (one hell of a stand up guy and very normal person) my view may be a bit biased. I do believe I would feel much the same not having any ties to the show however. They managed to pack 30 minutes with the most real police action (stories based on actual cases, names changed to protect the innocent:), everything from hysterical house wives to shoot outs. This is what Police Officers encounter on a daily basis. It is a roller coaster ride to be sure! It is so nice to be able to watch this show again on DVD, I have them all :) Todays shows are a real drag, so similar, like they used a cookie cutter. Adam-12 is a look back at a somewhat simpler time. Things were more black and white then. Today there is a lot of gray area and we are faced with the ever growing problem of feral youth. I think the late 60's is when we started our slide into what we face today. I find myself watching a lot of Adam-12 and Bob Newhart lately. Too bad we can not turn back the hands of time. Maybe shows like Adam-12 allow us to feel like we have if for only 30 minutes at a time...