With a crime-wave sweeping the city, a new Police programme has been formed to fast-track recruits to get them patrolling on the streets, and it's up to tough veteran cop Sergeant T.J. Hooker to bring them up to scratch. Trying to cope with his recent divorce and money problems, Hooker struggles with a job that he can't get away from. Meanwhile, the spate of crimes, including robbery, murder and a sniper is quickly getting out of hand. Only Hooker can train the eager but inexperienced young recruits as he leads them in bringing peace back to the streets, but the pursuit of the two murderous armed robbers at the head of the crime-wave inevitably leads to an explosive confrontation.

While hunting for a mugger who attacks women and leaves a Bible at the scene of his crimes, Hooker and Romano have to escort an overeager, aggressive newswoman. But the reporter's involvement just serves to complicate matters further.

When a school-mate of Hooker's daughter is found dead, after being pumped full of drugs and pushed off a roof after threatening to expose a drug runner's racket, Hooker realises that it could just as easily have been his daughter, and is determined to nab the culprits.

Hooker and Romano spot a van jumping a red light in a seemingly straight-forward traffic violation, but when they give pursuit they find themselves taking on gun-runners in the firearm-loaded vehicle. The pair go on the trail of the former members of a biker gang who are now involved in the illegal arms dealing, but just who is supplying them?

An attractive young woman witnesses a murder, but her married boss dissuades her from going to the Police in fear that it will uncover their affair. Hooker must try and persuade the frightened girl to help them and testify against the psychotic killer, but the murderer intends to see that she never makes it that far.