C.O.P.S.
Synopsis of Saturday Morning Show
“C.O.P.S. – Central Organization of Police Specialists.
Fighting crime…in a future time…”
Cops and robbers went high tech in the daily syndicated C.O.P.S. Set in the year 2020 in the corrupt metropolis Empire City, the show pitted the forces of the Central Organization of Police Specialists against “The Big Boss” and his gangland goons.
Led by former FBI man Baldwin P. “Bulletproof” Vess, C.O.P.S. was a team of trained specialists, each with cyborg enhancements suited to their names and talents—Longarm nabbed criminals with his extending limbs, Highway was a former California Highway Patrol officer who zipped along at blinding speeds, Bowzer was the group’s canine expert and the master of the cyborg dog Blitz, Mainframe was the computer whiz, and so forth. Other C.O.P.S. officers included Hardtop, Mace, Barricade, Bullseye and Mirage.
Out on patrol, the C.O.P.S. often ran into The Big Boss’ gang of cyber-enhanced yahoos, facing the likes of Berserko, Rock Krusher, Ms. Demeanor, Nightshade, Buttons McBoomBoom and Dr. Badvibes. Despite the futuristic setting and mechanical body parts, this motley crew of uglies preferred to dress and talk like Prohibition-Era gangsters, right down to The Big Boss’ Edward G. Robinson accent.
Also making life rough for Bulletproof and company was Empire City’s corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy. Mayor Davis meant well (probably), but he was often an unwitting pawn in The Big Boss’ schemes, usually through his desires to cut costs for political gain.
Like any good 80’s cartoon, C.O.P.S. capped off its half-hour of action-fueled mayhem with 30 seconds of neighborly tips. “C.O.P.S. for Kids” featured quick lessons on being a good citizen, staying out of trouble, saying “No” to drugs and so on, all with the blessing and assistance of organizations like DARE, the National Crime Prevention Council and the California Highway Patrol.
C.O.P.S. only lasted one season in syndication, but since it was a daily, 65 episodes were produced before the show’s eventual cancellation. These 30-minute thrillers were revived briefly in 1993 when CBS placed Cyber C.O.P.S. (same show, same episodes, new title) on its Saturday morning schedule. Alas, after only six more months of busting crooks, the C.O.P.S. team was once again sent to an early retirement.
“It’s crimefighting time.”
Release History
1988-1989 syndicated3/27/93 - 9/4/93 CBS
1/2/95 - 3/29/95 USA
TV Sub Categories
animatedaction/adventure
TV Studio
DIC, ClasterTelevision Cast
Baldwin P. 'Bulletproof' Vess Ken RyanP.J. 'Longarm' O'Malley John Stocker
Rex 'Bowzer' Pointer Nick Nichols
Tina 'Mainframe' Cassidy Mary Long
David E. 'Highway' Harlson Ray James
Stanley 'Barricade' Bach Ray James
Donny 'Hardtop' Brooks Darren Baker
Colt 'Mace' Howards Len Carlson
Brandon 'The Big Boss' Babel Len Carlson
Berserko Paul de la Rosa
Bullseye Peter Keleghan
Buttons McBoomBoom Nick Nichols
Dr. Badvibes Ron Rubin
Mirage Liz Hanna
Ms. Demeanor Paulina Gillis
Rafaella 'Nightshade' Diamond Jane Schoettle
Rock Krusher Brent Titcomb
Squeeky Kleen Marvin Goldhar
Turbo Tu-Tone Dan Hennessy
Whitney Morgan Jeri Craden
Voices Michael Fantini
Voices Barbara Hamilton
Voices Ray Kahnert
Voices Jon Roncetti
Voices Ruth Springford
Voices Noah Zylberman