The Shield

Politically ambitious new LAPD captain David Aceveda tries to crack corruption in Los Angeles' Farmington District by recruiting detective Terry Crowley to help him take down fellow detective Vic Mackey, leader of the Farmington precinct's Strike Team. As Vic and the Strike Team prepare for a dangerous night mission, detectives Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach and Claudette Wyms investigate a woman's murder, only to discover that her missing daughter has been sold off by the daughter's drug-addicted father to a child molester.

Following the murder of Terry, the Internal Affairs Division begins an investigation into his death, while Aceveda begins his own. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette investigate the shooting of a churro vendor that ends in the Barn's detectives busting up a gang initiation.

In a routine sweep, the Barn's detectives divvy up warrants. But when they cast their nets, they bring up far bigger fish than expected. While Vic holds a basketball star hostage to influence the outcome of an upcoming game, Dutch and Claudette nab an egotistical rapist out to impregnate as many women as possible.

While Vic continues his search for Corrine and their children, the Strike Team allow more drugs into Farmington through a corrupt connection. But when their latest shipment turns bad, they head to Tijuana to uncover the culprit behind the poisoned cocaine. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette try to track down the man responsible for "fire-necklacing" the leaders of two separate gangs.

As Vic gets closer to finding his family, the Strike Team focus their attention to Armadillo after he burns down Tio's business, an act that threatens to expose Vic's protection racket. As Claudette gets closer to the truth about Vic's connection to Tio, Dutch is accompanied by the civilian auditor to solve the murder of a meter maid, while Danny and Julien intervene between two feuding neighbors.

Still fuming from the murder of Tio and his brawl with Armadillo, Vic takes a day off to reconnect with his old partner, and soon sets out to help him get revenge against the thug whose complaint forced him into retirement. Meanwhile, an amputated arm sends Dutch and Claudette in search of the sadomasochistic criminal behind the torture and mutilation of a woman who may still be alive, and tensions brew between Danny and Julien after Julien fails to back up Danny's side of the shooting to IAD.

The Strike Team's attempt to play by the book comes to an abrupt end when they discover that the Byz Latz and the One-Niners are attempting to alter the balance of power by acquiring MP5s. Meanwhile, Claudette and Dutch investigate the murders and foot severance of Armenian men by the Armenian mob, a case that draws them closer to the truth behind the money train robbery.

Vic decides to use some of the money train robbery cash during a gun-running sting operation, but after it goes awry, tension within the Strike Team begins to mount as its members attempt to rectify Vic's mistake. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette seek the help of a college student named Esteban who was the only survivor in the murder of two Latino gang members.

A prostitute and friend to the late Connie named Farrah seeks the help of Vic in an effort to bring down her pimp. After failing to convince Vic to help her, Farrah goes to Claudette, who assigns Vic to the case against his wishes. Meanwhile, Dutch investigates the rape of an elderly woman.

Vic is no longer the cop he used to be, acting adrift after his past actions have caught up to him. The strike team has been dissolved, leaving Mackey to menial busts that keep him off the streets. When Aceveda moves on to his new City Council position, Captain Monica Rawling takes over the Barn and empowers Vic to implement her controversial anti-gang policies.

Mackey tries to help an old acquaintance find a wayward teenager, but the search quickly turns ugly when the missing teen appears to have been involved in a shoot-out. Meanwhile, Shane heads out into the field with his new partner Army, teaching him shady police tactics and seeing how far he'll go to be partnered up. Plus, Aceveda spends his last day trying to bury Vic for good, which makes things difficult for Rawling trying to take his place.

With Farmington on the brink of a gang war, Monica and Vic race to find the catalyst and stop the bloodshed, enlisting Antwon's help along the way. Still in the doghouse, Dutch decides to take action in thawing the relationship between Claudette and the D.A. Danny and Julien get up close and personal with the Farmington 1-Niners, while Monica looks to Vic for support when the implementation of her property seizure policy challenges her morality.

As racial tension in the area escalates, the Strike Team attempts to end a race war, while Claudette and Dutch investigate a riot at a high school. Meanwhile, an Internal Affairs officer begins his investigation of Vic and the Strike Team by first zeroing in on Lem. A pregnant Danny refuses to reveal the identity of the father, and Julien begins training a rookie cop named Tina Hanlon.

During an interrogation, Kavanaugh reviews the Strike Team’s corrupt past and attempts to weaken Lem’s loyalty to Vic by bringing up the connection to Terry’s murder. Meanwhile, the Strike Team investigates a multiple homicide. Dutch and Claudette suspect that a minister might have been involved in an attempted murder. Tina gets in over her head while on duty with Julien.

The Strike Team tries to develop a strategy to deflect the Internal Affairs investigation as Vic finally comes face to face with Kavanaugh. Meanwhile, Tina goes undercover to help take down a sex-trafficking ring; and friction between Claudette and Dutch deepens when she reopens one of their past cases.

With the Barn grieving over the loss of one of their own, Vic's out to avenge his friend's murder, but finds himself in the crosshairs of Kavanaugh. Claudette assigns the Strike Team to investigate the torching of a methadone clinic. Meanwhile, Julien and Tina look into a robbery/assault at a porno shop, and Dutch makes a horrifying discovery in San Marcos.

Kavanaugh acquires what he needs in order to apprehend Vic who is preoccupied with getting revenge on Guardo. Claudette finds herself under the political microscope as a result of the San Marcos incident, and Danny receives some news about her future at the Barn.

Consumed by bloodlust, Vic finally gets the chance to avenge his friend's murder, despite Shane's pleas against it. Meanwhile, Ronnie is assigned by Claudette to help Dutch and Billings investigate a robbery homicide at a pharmacy.

Vic challenges Shane and deals with threats to his family; a federal agent arrives in Farmington to investigate a recent wave of violence.

As a local gang war heats up, Vic positions himself as a valuable commodity to the warring parties; Corrine and Cassidy confront Vic.

Vic works an angle to make himself valuable to the Armenian mob; Corrine finds herself in a surprising legal jam; Tina targets a producer of adult entertainment.