A corrupt Los Angeles detective named Vic Mackey runs an elite strike team tasked with tackling serious crime, whilst ruthlessly protecting himself and his crew from internal investigations and rival criminals. The series follows the moral compromises and escalating consequences faced by Mackey and those around him, including the precinct captain and other officers who must decide how far they are willing to look the other way. Over multiple series, the web of deception tightens as Mackey's past actions threaten to unravel everything he has built.