Jack Webb worked hard to ensure his crime dramas portrayed police work accurately and realistically. Although that commitment sometimes made his job as a creator and director more challenging, it was a standard he upheld throughout his career.

On shows like Dragnet and Adam-12, police consultants helped ensure storylines reflected real police work. To prepare for their roles on Adam-12, Martin Milner and Kent McCord even rode along with actual officers.

"After several rides in different cars, you get a fairly good idea how a competent policeman reacts under very tense circumstances," Milner said in an interview with the El Paso Herald-Post.

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Webb's dedication to authenticity also earned his productions special privileges. According to the article, Dragnet and Adam-12 were the only television shows airing at the time whose actors were permitted to wear genuine Los Angeles Police Department badges.

The experience proved educational for Webb and his cast alike, giving them a deeper understanding of the realities of police work and adding another layer of authenticity to Adam-12.

"I was surprised to learn that a great deal of a police officer's time is devoted to investigating crime reports, running down leads, and mediating minor disputes," McCord said. "One policeman I met had never used his firearm in the line of duty and he was a veteran of nineteen years on the force."

Ultimately, Webb's commitment to getting the details right demanded extra effort, but it paid off on screen. By grounding his crime dramas in the realities of police work, he helped give shows like Dragnet and Adam-12 their distinctive sense of authenticity.