A veteran who likes to draw his weapon on cops has robbed a bank. Instead of fleeing with his loot, he ambushes Corso and another officer, and then decides to attract police to a local bar so that he can kill as many of them as possible.
Detectives Ward and Corso go underground in the building trade after several workers are injured in accidents. They discover a loan shark played by Charles Grodin who works for his uncle, Vincent Gardenia.
A Vietnam veteran plays cat and mouse with the police by using his military training. Detectives Corso, Haines, and Ward are determined to bring the killer to justice.
Doyle, a newscaster, risks his life and puts himself at odds with the police when he tries to interview an escaped killer Stryker. Haines and Corso must get to the murderer first.
Detective Ward lays unconcious from an explosion at an embassy. His co-workers focus on a likely female prospect leaving the true culprit planning his next attack.
Haines and Ward investigate why a jockey is getting bizarre late night phone calls. In an unusual twist they begin to suspect that it might be tied to the recent killings of two priests.
Haines receives a tip about drugs being smuggled in to New York via a passenger ship, but a search of the suspect's luggage proves fruitless. However, diligent surveillance work by Corso and Ward confirms a potential drug deal.
The squad recruits a police woman to act as a decoy to help them capture a serial rapist. Even though she fits the criminal's "type," the officer seems to be striking out in her efforts.
Detective Ward returns to his old neighborhood to conduct his own investigation into the murder of Mr. Gabriel, a high school teacher and mentor who was influential in guiding Ward away from a potential life of crime.