The squad

Set in Naples, the series follows the officers of the Sant'Andrea Police Station as they handle a steady stream of criminal cases, from street-level violence to complex investigations. Rather than glamourize the work, the episodes focus on casework, procedures and the interpersonal strains that come from long hours and morally messy decisions. The narrative moves between investigative scenes and quieter moments with the team, giving time to both procedural detail and the personal lives of key figures like Nicoletta Veneziani, Laura Onorato, Walter Battiston, Pietro Guerra and Valerio Cafasso. Tension comes from paperwork, witness interviews and the city itself, not from stunt spectacle.

The show premiered on Rai Tre on March 3, 2000, created by Wayne Doyle, Mauro Casiraghi and Chris McCourt. It was produced in Italy and presented in Italian, aiming for an authentic feel rather than glossy international styling.

Among Italian viewers the series became known for its unvarnished portrayal of policing in Naples and for making the city a vivid backdrop. That local authenticity helped it stand out from imported procedurals, and it influenced how some later Italian crime dramas handled urban detail and ensemble casts.

Critical and viewer reactions reflect an appreciation for realism and character-driven storytelling, though tastes vary. The available vote average sits at 6.8 out of 10 based on a small number of votes, which suggests modest but positive reception. Common themes include duty and moral compromise, the strain of teamwork under pressure, and the interaction between law enforcement and the city’s social fabric.

There are no widely cited major international awards attached to the series, and public records do not show prominent festival wins. Any recognition was mainly regional, tied to its place in Italian television around the turn of the century.