The Cop show has become a huge part of modern pop culture, captivating the imagination of avid viewers who love to watch compelling cases come together  1 One of the big reasons why these types of shows are so popular is the huge shingles of subgenre under its umbrella, including procedural ("Law and Order", "NCIS", etc)Comedy ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine", "Starsky and Hutch") Prestige dramas ("The Shield", "Homicide: Life on The Street") and even psycho thrillers ("Hannibal", "Mindhunter")

With so much variation, it can be hard to choose which cop show you want to watch Fortunately, we've put together a list of some of the best, spanning multiple sub-genres and formats Whether you want something carefree and fun or something dark and twisted, here are some of the best cop shows to stream right now

spun off from the original "Law and Order" series in 1999, "Law and Order: SVU" arguably the most iconic and impactful cop of all time The show is beyond its predecessor to become one of the most popular, thoughtful and complex ways to explore sensitive topics of sexual-based crime 

Although it has been broadcast for 25 years, the show still has a lot of life, and recent seasons have grappled with topical issues like revenge porn, online harassment and viral arrest videos 

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A hilarious procedure with a twist, "Psych" solves the crime as the official consultant of the Santa Barbara Police, a fake medium Sean Spencer and his best friend Gus Sean's mental skills are fake, but he can crack the case, often to the chagrin of the department before the regular cops do He uses his very real heightened powers of observation to help him find his way around the world 

While this procedure has serious moments, its mile-minute pop culture references, long-running in-jokes, and irreverent tones have become fan favorites with a dedicated Dan base affectionately known as "Psych-Os"

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Another hilarious series, "White Collar," features Neil Caffrey, a charming con artist, art thief, forger, and Peter Burke, a by-the-book FBI agent who originally put Neil in prison after Neil escapes, Peter proposes a deal: in exchange for his freedom, he is forced to leave the prison Neil has his expertise in helping the FBI catch other white-collar criminals

This series was modestly popular when it originally aired from 2008 to 2014, but recently found a new life on Netflix and a week soon after its debut on the service despite it being the first time it has been released 10 years since the new episode aired, fans are still finding a lot to love about the series

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The HBO anthology series follows new detectives and cases each season and unfortunately has a reputation for being wildly uneven with each season It's a good idea But the knockout No 1 starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson is enough to earn "True Detective" a spot on this list 

Told in a nonlinear way, the first season of this series follows Rust Cohle, a philosophical and troubled detective with a dark past, and Marty Hart, who presents himself laid-back despite having his own personal demons This dysfunctional duo finds a way to overcome considerable obstacles and work together to investigate a disturbing murder with seemingly supernatural overtones and connections to the occult, which pushes them to their mental and physical limits, and the series shows the fallout of their actions 17 years later

The first season is known for its dark tones, philosophical themes, and stellar performance, and while the subsequent season hasn't hit the very best of the first installment, some have praised the latest "Night Country" season as a return to form for the series, well done It means that this ongoing anthology is good for moving forward 

Marshall Raylan Givens, a quick-witted and morally ambiguous lawyer, re-travels from Miami to his Kentucky hometown, where he left to escape a troubled past

The FX series revolves around Givens' unconventional approach to justice, and focuses on local law enforcement as well as a ruthless criminal network led by Boyd Crowder When Givens navigates the complex web of alliances and competition in Harlan County, he also has to face his own demons and ghosts of his past

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This acclaimed miniseries is based on a true crime story and stars Andrew Garfield as detective Jeb Pyre, who is tasked with investigating the brutal murder of Brenda Wright Rafferty, a young woman, and her toddler daughter in Utah As the investigation unfolds, Jeb finds a disturbing link to the fundamentalist Mormon group, which causes him to question his own faith when confronted with the dark side of his religion  

The central investigation into the Lafferty murder case is so suspenseful and has lots of shocking twists and turns, but what makes this one of the best cop shows is the subtle way to delve into the complexity of religion, community responsibility and the dangers of extremism

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Welcomed for its unwavering realism, "The Wire" is not your typical cop show This HBO series dives deep into the Baltimore drug scene, weaving a complex tapestry that explores the effects of drug trafficking on police, dealers, children trapped in the middle, and even the media and politicians who fuel the vicious cycle of addiction, violence, incarceration and death 

The series is lauded for its raw portrayal of social problems, cleverly showing how poverty, failed institutions and addiction function as breeding grounds for crime  Instead of simplistic heroes and villains, the show presents a cast of fascinating characters, each working on the complex realities of their world  These characters will stay with you long after the credits roll, a testament to the depth and lasting impact of the show 

Often lauded as one of the biggest TV shows ever made, the lasting impact of "The Wire" is undeniable1  The quest for systematic problems has caused countless conversations, prompting generations of TV creators to push boundaries and tell stories that challenge viewers to see the world in new ways