Detective Paul Gigante (Giancarlo Esposito) relocates from Washington DC to start a new life with the police force of rural Bakersfield, California.
Half black and half Italian, Paul is the only black person in the Bakersfield force and is often mistaken for a criminal simply because of his race.
His partner Detective Wade Preston (Ron Eldard) is a well-meaning redneck and a TV cop show trivia freak.
Sgt. Phil Hampton (Brian Doyle-Murray) is a 22-year veteran of the force and the long-suffering aide to inept, indecisive Captain Stiles (Jack Hallett). Hampton spends much of his time covering for Stiles’s mistakes and making decisions for him.
Also seen are Officer Boyer (Chris Mulkey), a hunky but incredibly dumb officer and his partner, Ramirez (Tony Plana), who is highly emotional and sensitive.
Det. Paul Gigante
Giancarlo Esposito Det. Wade Preston
Ron Eldard Off. Denny Boyer
Chris Mulkey Off. Luke Ramirez
Tony Plana
Sgt. Phil Hampton
Brian Doyle-Murray Capt. Aldo Stiles
Jack Hallett
