A police series set in the 15th precinct in New York City. Focuses on the the cops' struggles to sustain a sense of humanity in the face of the chaos of their jobs and the fragility of their private lives. Detective Andy Sipowicz is a recovering alcoholic who struggles to remain sober despite the violent death of his older son, the pressures of his job and being a good father to his new son with wife Assistant District Attorney Sylvia Costas. Sipowicz's partner is Andy Simone, an enigmatic loner with a tragic past. Lieutenant Arthur Fancy is the well-respected leader of the 15th squad which also includes James Martinez, a sensitive and streetwise cop, Greg Medavoy, a hardworker who is newly single, and Diane Russell, a former alcholic with a dysfunctional family.