Policier
In short
A police procedural is a type of detective story that focuses on the realistic methods and daily work of law enforcement officers. It highlights the official steps taken during a criminal investigation.
In plain words
These stories show how the police actually solve crimes using teamwork and official rules. Instead of a lone genius, the focus is on the whole police station and their standard procedures.
A simple example
A television series like Columbo or a novel about a Scotland Yard detective follows the specific steps of gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Why it matters
It provides a sense of realism and structure to crime fiction. It allows audiences to see the technical side of law enforcement rather than just the mystery itself.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with hardboiled detective fiction, which usually follows a private investigator rather than official police officers.