"Hill Street Station" introduces us to the many stories on the street, in the squad room, and in the homes of both the uniform and plainclothes officers at Hill Street. After Sergeant Phil Esterhaus completes Roll Call, we begin to learn something of the regulars. John "J.D." LaRue goes out of his way to hit on Assistant DA Joyce Davenport. She's at the Hill and livid with Captain Frank Furillo and his sergeants, who explain that they have "temporarily misplaced" the suspect she is supposed to have in court in just a few minutes. Meanwhile, while on patrol, street cops Andy Renko and Bobby Hill stumble on a liquor store heist that ends in a hostage standoff. Clashes occur between Detective Henry Goldblume, who believes in negotiation and talking to suspects, and Lt. Howard Hunter, a gung-ho commander of a type of SWAT team on the Hill. Add to this mix gang leader Jesus Martinez whose gang members planned the robbery and tries to end it only to yell at his members, and Capt. Furillo finds only by showing up on the scene himself can he end the situation. Amongst this we meet Sgt. Mick Belker, a tough undercover cop who has a penchant for biting his suspects if they try to resist him in any way. Belker has his first run in of several with a pickpocket he picks up in the crowd at the liquor store holdup. Personal relationships are also introduced, when we meet Furillo's ex-wife Fay, who wants more child support, Esterhaus's new love interest, a high-school senior (he's in his 50s), and a secret love affair between Assistant DA Davenport and someone on the Hill. The episode ends with a cliffhanger when Hill and Renko, looking for a phone after their squad car is stolen while they respond to a domestic dispute, stumble onto kids using drugs who shoot the two officers and leave them for dead.

The President of the United States wants to visit the Hill, and the station has to deal with how to make it happen.

Things heat up between the gangs on the hill as the president plans his walking tour.

Hill Street finds the precinct under siege when the gangs react to the president canceling his walking tour. Hill and Renko arrest a car thief who has a knack for fixing things around the station. Frank asks Joyce to represent LaRue who is facing bribery charges.

Davenport begins to assist Furillo and Washington in their attempt to clear Larue's name. They probe deep into Macafee's personal life but are having difficulty finding anything dirty on him. 'Operation Duckling' puts many of the officers in drag as they go undercover to apprehend the St. James Park rapist. After responding to a call on a jumper Henry has a flat tire in a bad neighborhood and is harassed by a gang of youths and Phil is beginning to show signs of weariness trying to keep up with two women.

Furillo agrees to let a local news crew film the precinct. Belker brings in a suspect who believes that he is Dracula. Washington and LaRue capture a woman who is in possession of the gun that shot Hill and Renko.

Frank is forced to deal with a hostage situation at a grocery store. The precinct continues to investigate the shooting of Hill and Renko.

Renko gets upset when the lie detector test for his shooting suspect comes up inconclusive. Esterhaus meets with a criminal that he helped put away. Furillo feels that the news crew is to blame for convincing local merchants form a crime watch union.

LaRue asks a television reporter to go with him on a stakeout. Furillo has trouble finding a home for the juvenile who held up a grocery store. Renko begins to exhibit bizarre behavior. After witnessing his partner's death, Santini has second thoughts about being a police office

Furillo considers leaving the station to run for commander. Renko and Hill investigate the murder of a 15-year old prostitute. LaRue and Washington decide to play a practical joke on Hunter.

Frank risks a promotion to commander by pursuing an investigation that links a city councilman from another district to the murder of a prostitute. Belker is harassed by a new anti-Semitic cop.

Furillo continues to push the investigation of a well-respected city councilman even after it become apparent that it will cost him a promotion. LaRue's dream for a business gets destroyed. Hunter gets Chief Daniel's approval to use an "urban tank". Belker considers a transfer.

Furillo angrily agrees to use his men to protect corrupt cop turned informant Ralph Macafee from a possible assassination attempt. Esterhaus has second thoughts about his upcoming marriage to Cindy after Grace Gardner pays him a visit at the station house.

An undercover narc with a history of racism is accused of shooting an unarmed black man. LaRue's drinking starts to affect his job performance. Hill goes out of his way to help a woman who neglected her children. Goldblume's son lands in the hospital.

Washington unearths evidence to clear vicious racist narcotics cop Charlie Weeks in a back alley shooting of a black youth while Furillo clashes with Chief Fletcher Daniels over the investigation. LaRue's alcoholism undermines his ability to do his job and causes his life to fall apart. Hill comes down hard on a teenage mother who continually neglects her two children. Bates and her new partner Coffey get to know each other better.