If it does address violent themes, it does so in a manner relevant to the story. Based on the experiences of New York City Police Department detectives, the show necessarily deals with violence. It would not be possible to portray the lives of New York cops without frequently dealing with violence. Featuring officers pushed to the wall by the pressures of their dangerous jobs, the show deals extensively with the psychological causes and consequences of violence. The officers struggle and occasionally act brutally when arresting or extracting confessions from suspects.
Violence is depicted as a realistic part of daily life in the city.
However, the show is not overrun by guns. The violence, such as slaps or threats, is often born of frustration. Although the police officers frequently consider violent action, they typically demonstrate restraint. Violence is portrayed as problematic. The police are depicted as human and multi-dimensional characters.