After being criticized by the Citizens' League for his inability to cope with a crime wave, Police Captain Haines orders his men in the Homicide Bureau to clean up all their cases, but without violating the constitutional rights of any suspect. Detective Jim Logan is ordered to meet the incoming new-head of the Police Department lab and internal affairs, J.G. Bliss, and takes an instant dislike to her over her attitude toward criminal's rights.

Un delincuente es detenido por presunto asesinato, pero es liberado poco después de una campaña periodística contra los métodos usados por la policía. Un agente sabe que es culpable, sin embargo, y continúa la investigación por su cuenta para tratar de descubrir la verdad.