Set in and around Stanton, a faceless and grim Northern enclave, The Cops depicts the daily grind for a group of policemen and women out on the beat as they interact, and sometimes clash, with the local community.
Probationary policewoman Mel Draper, seriously hung-over and worse for wear following a night out with her mates, is called to investigate a suspicious death following complaints from a neighbour who notices a foul stench coming from the flat above.
Giffen attempts to reason with a suicidal man on the roof of a department store. Danny, after rescuing a damsel in distress, finds himself engaging in a bizarre sex game, brought on by the excitement provoked by his policeman's uniform.
Colin's attempts to stay out of trouble are thwarted when he reverses into a minibus taking a group of girls out on a hen night. Mel is taken aback when she meets her mates queuing up to go into a club and who are obviously uncomfortable about being seen with a policewoman. Mike and Natalie have a narrow escape when they come face to face with a man wielding a sawn-off shotgun.
It's the day of Mike's stag night, and Mike, Natalie and Mel are all called to early morning domestics on the Skeetsmore Estate. Later, at his stag party, Mike gets increasingly drunk and morose and then realises that his feelings for Natalie run far deeper than merely professional...
Natalie is called to a store selling baby goods where a heavily pregnant woman has been caught on camera stealing a pram. Meanwhile, Danny is called to investigate an alleged missing child. The child's father fears that his daughter is in danger after she is not returned by his ex-wife... a suspicion that is later confirmed...
Mel and Jaz are in trouble. Mel has not performed particularly well during her probationary period, and Giffen is given the go-ahead to sack her if the need arises. Jaz attends a theft at a corner shop. He recognises the assailant and refuses to chase him down the street. The Asian shopkeeper is not happy and vows to file a complaint. Dean responds to a disturbance on the Skeetsmoor Estate and gets a serious beating. Despite four radio calls for help, no-one goes to his assistance...
Responding to a reported burglary, Mel and Jaz are met by the young man who lives at the address who assures them that it is a false alarm. Called back to the same property, they later meet the lady who actually owns the house and who insists that she lives alone. Natalie gets the opportunity to settle an old score... with tragic consequences...
Tensions are running high on the Skeetsmoor Estate. Rumour has it that Skillet was beaten up in custody before he died. Colin is worried that Dean is out of control as he can't resist having a go at mourners as they leave Skillet's funeral. Danny attends the funeral to offer his condolences to the family. Things turn ugly as the storm which has been brewing all day eventually breaks...
