Deputy Inspector Regina Haywood, is the newly promoted boss of the 74th Precinct in East New York - a working-class neighborhood on the edge of Brooklyn in the midst of social upheaval and the early seeds of gentrification. With family ties to the area, Haywood is determined to deploy creative methods to protect her beloved community with the help of her officers and detectives. But first, she has the daunting task of getting them on board, as some are skeptical of her promotion, and others resist the changes she is desperate to make. Her team includes her mentor, shrewd veteran two-star Chief John Suarez; Marvin Sandeford, a highly respected training officer and expert on the neighborhood; Tommy Killian, a detective with some old-school approaches to policing; Capt. Stan Yenko, Haywood's gregarious and efficient right hand; Crystal Morales, an intuitive detective who can't be intimidated; Andre Bentley, a trainee from an upper middle-class background; and ambitious patrol officer Brandy Quinlan, the sole volunteer to live in a local housing project as part of Haywood's plan to bridge the gap between police and community. Regina Haywood has a vision: she and the squad of the 74th Precinct will not only serve their community - they'll also become part of it.

During an investigation into a fatal shooting, the team crosses paths with Demonté Green, a smooth-talking businessman who may have been the intended target. Also, Deputy Inspector Haywood tries to help a troubled teen, and Detective Killian finds himself at odds with his girlfriend, Corinne, after she hires an ex-con to work at their new bar.