Police Woman

Sergeant Suzanne "Pepper" Anderson is a tough, resourceful undercover officer assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department's Criminal Conspiracy Unit. She repeatedly takes on dangerous aliases, slipping into roles from mob associate to street-level sex worker to gather evidence and bring down organized crime figures. Episodes mix tense sting operations with quieter investigative work and police procedure, and they show how Pepper balances the hazards of undercover life with relationships inside the department. The show keeps its focus on cases and character rather than surprise twists, so you get a steady stream of crime-focused drama driven by Pepper's instincts and on-the-ground tactics.

Released in 1974, Police Woman was created by Robert L. Collins and built around Angie Dickinson in the lead role, supported by Earl Holliman, Charles Dierkop, Ed Bernard, and Susan Gailey.

The series drew attention during its run and earned industry recognition, though it wasn't a dominant awards performer. It received nominations and helped raise Angie Dickinson's profile, but it didn't rack up a large haul of major television awards.

Police Woman had a noticeable effect on TV casting and genre expectations by centering a woman who was both authoritative and physically capable in street-level law enforcement scenarios. Its undercover setups and Pepper's mix of toughness and empathy became touchstones for later female-led procedurals and influenced how shows presented women in active policing roles.

Critical and audience reception was mixed to positive, reflected in modest ratings and a user vote average of 6.2/10 from a small pool. Reviewers often highlighted the procedural elements and action sequences while debating the show's balance between sensational undercover scenes and police realism. Themes that recur include the moral complexity of undercover work, gender and authority within the force, and the personal costs of sustained deception.