allen gamble and terry "yankee clipper" hoitz are both detectives of the new york city police department (nypd). allen is a mild-mannered forensic accountant while terry is a hot-tempered detective who has been partnered with allen ever since he mistakenly shot derek jeter during the world series. they receive no respect from the other officers, particularly detectives martin and fosse. all but terry idolize cocky detectives chris danson and p. k. highsmith, who are considered new york city's best policemen even though they frequently cause millions of dollars in property damage catching petty criminals. during a pursuit, danson and highsmith leap to their deaths after attempting to "aim for the bushes", which causes the precinct to wonder why they did it and who will take their place.