Image via Complex Original
Intro
Most people would consider the transition from prosecutor to police officer a step down, but when you're talking about actress Angie Harmon, who went from playing A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael on Law & Order (1998-2001) to starring in Rizzoli & Isles as Detective Jane Rizzoli since 2010, it's clearly a good look.
Not only has Harmon found success in a leading role, but she's also increased by one the number of hot TV cops who anybody would love being frisked and cuffed by. The lady law enforcement fantasy is clearly not ours alone, as networks have flooded programming with fine crime fighters over the years. To celebrate Angie Harmon's 40th birthday, Complex counts down the best of them. A note of caution: Images of The 50 Hottest Female Cops on TV are arresting.
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Mariska Hargitay
50. Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU (1999-2012)
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Brianne Leary
49. Brianne Leary as Officer Sindy Cahill on CHiPs (1978-1979)
Marg Helgenberger
48. Marg Helgenberger as Catherine Willows on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2012)
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Randi Oakes
47. Randi Oakes as Officer Bonnie Clark on CHiPs (1978-1982)
Mary McCormack
46. Mary McCormack as Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon on In Plain Sight (2008-2012)
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Holly Hunter
45. Holly Hunter as Det. Grace Hanadarko on Saving Grace (2007-2010)
Stepfanie Kramer
44. Stepfanie Kramer as Det. Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on Hunter (1984-1990)
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Robin Tunney
43. Robin Tunney as Senior Special Agent Teresa Lisbon on The Mentalist (2008-2012)
Angie Dickinson
42. Angie Dickinson as Sgt. Suzanne "Pepper" Anderson on Police Woman (1974-1978)
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Sonja Sohn
41. Sonja Sohn as Det. Shakima "Kima" Greggs on The Wire (2002-2008)
Anabella Sciorra
40. Annabella Sciorra as Det. Carolyn Barek on Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2005-2007)
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Shanna Moakler
39. Shanna Moakler as Officer Monica Harper on Pacific Blue (1998-2000)
Melina Kanakaredes
38. Melina Kanakaredes as Det. Stella Bonasera on CSI: NY (2004-2010)
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Taraji P. Henson
37. Taraji P. Henson as Det. Joss Carter on Person of Interest (2011-2012)
Saffron Burrows
36. Saffron Burrows as Det. Serena Stevens on Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2010)
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Stana Katic
35. Stana Katic as Det. Kate Beckett on Castle (2009-2012)
Nicki Aycox
34. Nicki Aycox as Patrolwoman Jaimie Allen on Dark Blue (2009-2010)
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Mitzi Kapture
33. Mitzi Kapture as Sgt. Rita Lee Lance on Silk Stalkings (1991-1995)
Milena Govich
32. Milena Govich as Det. Nina Cassady on Law & Order (2005-2007)
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Liz Vassey
31. Liz Vassey as Wendy Simms on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2005-2010)
Kyra Sedgwick
30. Kyra Sedgwick as Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson on The Closer (2005-2012)
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Michelle Rodriguez
29. Michelle Rodriguez as Officer Ana Lucia Cortez on Lost (2005-2006, 2009-2010)
Kristin Lehman
28. Kristin Lehman as Det. Danielle Carter on Killer Instinct (2005-2006)
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Gretchen Mol
27. Gretchen Mol as Policewoman Annie Norris on Life on Mars (2008-2009)
Kim Delaney
26. Kim Delaney as Det. Diane Russell on NYPD Blue (1995-2003)
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Lauren Velez
25. Lauren Velez as Det. Nina Moreno on New York Undercover (1995-1999)
Eva LaRue
24. Eva LaRue as Natalia Boa Vista on CSI: Miami (2005-2012)
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Elisabeth Harnois
23. Elisabeth Harnois as Morgan Brody on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011-2012)
Holly Robinson
22. Holly Robinson as Officer Judy Hoffs on 21 Jump Street (1987-1991)
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Emily Procter
21. Emily Procter as Det. Calleigh Duquesne on CSI: Miami (2002-2012)
April Lee Hernandez
20. April Lee Hernandez as Officer Cira Manzon on Dexter (2010)
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Janet Gunn
19. Janet Gunn as Det. Sgt. Cassandra "Cassy" St. John on Silk Stalkings (1993-1999)
Tiffani Thiessen
18. Tiffani Thiessen as Lt. Wilhelmina "Billie" Chambers on Fastlane (2002-2003)
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Vanessa Ferlito
17. Vanessa Ferlito as Det. Third Grade Aiden Burn on CSI: NY (2004-2006)
Amanda Righetti
16. Amanda Righetti as Special Agent Grace Van Pelt on The Mentalist (2008-2012)
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Jennifer Carpenter
15. Jennifer Carpenter as Lt. Debra Morgan on Dexter (2006-2012)
Peggy Lipton
14. Peggy Lipton as Julie Barnes on The Mod Squad (1968-1973)
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Lucy Liu
13. Lucy Liu as Officer Jessica Tang on Southland (2012)
Alicia Witt
12. Alicia Witt as Det. Nola Falacci on Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2007)
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Missy Peregrym
11. Missy Peregrym as Officer Andy McNally on Rookie Blue (2010-2012)
Paula Garces
10. Paula Garcés as Officer Tina Hanlon on The Shield (2006-2008)
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Jennifer Esposito
9. Jennifer Esposito as Det. Jackie Curatola on Blue Bloods (2010-2012)
Kelly Hu
8. Kelly Hu as Officer Grace "Pei Pei" Chen on Martial Law (1998-2000)
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Jennifer Beals
7. Jennifer Beals as Superintendent Teresa Colvin on The Chicago Code (2011)
Grace Park
6. Grace Park as Officer Kono Kalakaua on Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2012)
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Angie Harmon
5. Angie Harmon as Det. Jane Rizzoli on Rizzoli & Isles (2010-2012)
Carla Gugino
4. Carla Gugino as US Deputy Marshal Karen Sisco on Karen Sisco (2003-2004)
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Natalie Martinez
3. Natalie Martinez as Det. Ariana Sanchez on Detroit 1-8-7 (2010-2011)
Sarah Shahi
2. Sarah Shahi as Det. Dani Reese on Life (2007-2009)
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