Chuck norris police officer

From cool "Miami Vice" cops, Crockett and Tubbs, to slapstick sleuth, Frank Drebin of "The Naked Gun" series, pop culture is filled with iconic police characters. And while you may be familiar with many of the police officers on the big and small screens, you may not know that there are some well-known celebrities who have done police work in small towns and major cities across the country.

Some of these stars credit their characters with inspiring them to don the badge.  Others left dangerous police work behind to pursue a career in show business.

Older male actors that played cops

But what all of these celebrities have in common is a respect for law enforcement and a desire to help people. These celebrities have worked side by side with law enforcement to keep our streets safe from crime.