The Wire is allegedly one of the more realistic crime shows in how incompetent it portrays the police.

In their defense their target was amazingly adept.

Many criminals even today don't engage in basic counter measures like you see on that show.

And I'd call them "dysfunctional" more than inept. Bad leadership stymied by political goals overcomes even good policing.

You’re doing my boy McNulty dirty.

That, and the alcoholism