Shows with a Cop Main Character but not a Cop Show

How about The X Files?

Two FBI agents ought to qualify as having cops, but they didn’t do much in the putting bank robbers in prison department.

Bones is about a bunch of scientists investigating evidence for the FBI. The only actual agent is Sealy Booth.

Breaking Bad: Dean Norris’ DEA Agent Hank Schraeder, BIL to the Walter White.

What about House’s Michael Tritter?

He wasn’t a regular by any means. He was a recurring guest for a single storyline.

Ah, but what a great story line.

Am I the only one who remembers John Ritter as detective Hooperman?

Does Night Court count? It’s not really a cop show, but the bailiffs were part of the main cast.

This is a stretch, but I think you if consider the whole series, you could maybe include The Wire, in so far as it evolved into much more than just a cop procedural show. Specifically, we see how former cops (Bunny and Prez) get involved with their communities outside of being cops. Doesn’t exactly fit the OPs parameters maybe, but I say it’s close.

Jack on Revenge is a cop this season.

Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes are shows where the main characters are cops, but the overall plot isn’t about policework.

A cop is one of the main characters in the excellent British comedy series Ideal. It’s centered on a pot dealer in Manchester and the shenanigans that go on with him and a handful of colorful characters who are always dropping in on his apartment to buy. (The name of the show is a bit of a joke. “I Deal.” Heh.) The cop is a best friend of the dealer and is always stopping by while on the job for a quick smoke. Plus whenever some other dealer gets busted, he always funnels the confiscated dope to his buddy for sale.