cop shows

I've been looking at a couple of British cop shows for my coursework, and would appreciate any opinions on the following:

How realistic is The Bill?
and
was Tony Garnett's series from a few years ago called 'The Cops' any closer to reality?

If you post an answer, you'll have loads of good karma from me, and can you please indicate whether you are - or have been - a police officer yourself.

Thanks in anticipation........

Erm, perhaps you should look at this thread and swap notes with the other person who doesnt like to do their own homework.

Or are you one and the same person?

Ahem.