Police Rescue is an Australian television series that aired on ABC TV between 1989 and 1996. It was produced by the ABC and Southern Star Xanadu in association with the BBC."Police Rescue – By the Book". AustralianScreen.com.au.
Apart from the 61 episodes, there was a 90-minute pilot episode (first screened in 1989) as well as a feature film in 1994, starring Zoe Carides.
The series dealt with the New South Wales Police Rescue Squad based in Sydney and their work attending to various incidents from road accidents to train crashes. The show was very well received for the first four series, however a decline in ratings by the commencement of the 1996 series saw the cancellation of the show, following an almost epitaph in the final three episodes.
Police Rescue was shown in the United Kingdom first on BBC1 and later on Sky One, in the Czech Republic as Záchranáři on TV Nova, in South Africa as "Noodroep" (dubbed in Afrikaans), in parts of Italy as Polizia Squadra Soccorso on T9, in France on TF1 as Sydney Police, in Germany on VOX as Police Rescue – Gefährlicher Einsatz, in Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark on the United Kingdom-based TV3, and in the Republic of Ireland on RTÉ.
Cast
Main Actor/actress Character Rank Tenure Episodes Gary Sweet Steve "Mickey" McClintock Sergeant 1989–1996 01–61 + Pilot Episode & Feature Film Sonia Todd Georgia Rattray Constable/Senior Constable/Sergeant 1989–1996 01–61 + Pilot Episode & Feature Film Tim McKenzie Peter "Ridgy" Ridgeway Sergeant 1989–1990 01-13 + Pilot Episode John Clayton Bill Adams Inspector 1989–1996 01–61 + Pilot Episode & Feature Film Marshall Napier Fred "Frog" Catteau Sergeant 1989–1992 01-19 + Pilot Episode Peter Browne Trevor "Sootie" Coledale Constable 1989–1990 01-14 + Pilot Episode Doug Scroope Percy "Ptomaine" Warren Constable 1989–1993 01-32 + Pilot Episode Steve Bastoni Yiannis "Angel" Angelopoulos Constable/Senior Constable 1990–1996 01-61 + Feature Film Steve Bisley Kevin "Nipper" Harris Senior Sergeant 1992–1995 14–42 Belinda Cotterill Sharyn Elliott 1992–1994, 1996 14–39, 53–61 + Feature Film Tammy MacIntosh Kathy Orland Constable 1992–1995 14–52 + Feature Film Jeremy Callaghan Brian Morley Constable 1992–1995 19–52 + Feature Film Ada Nicodemou Anastasia Skouras 1994–1995 40–52 Frank Holden Glenn "Spider" Webb Senior Sergeant 1994–1996 43–61 Zoe Carides Lorrie "Flash" Gordon Constable 1994 Feature Film Only Salvatore Coco Joe Cardillo Constable 1996 53–61 Leah Purcell Tracy Davis Constable 1996 53–61
Recurring minor cast Actor/actress Character Rank Tenure Episodes Kerry Armstrong Des McClintock Mickey Ex-Wife 1990–1991 Deborah Kennedy Bronwyn Catteau 1990–1992 3 episodes Harold Hopkins Tony Fuller NARC Detective 1990–1992 Gia Carides Helena Angelopoulos 1992–1993 7 episodes Lani John Tupu David Goldberg 1992 Season 2 Daniel Rigney Constable Lohmeier Constable 1993 Season 3
Guests Actor/actress Character Tenure Episodes Alan David Lee Simmo 1994 TV movie: "Police Rescue in Action" Anne Tenney Katie McCarthy 1991 Season 1, episode 9 :"One for Dad" Bec Cartwright Emma 1992 Season 2, episode 9: "Reasons to Live" Ben Mendelsohn Dean Forman 1995 Season 4, episode 13: "Wild Card" Bob Baines Frank Williams 1991 Season 1, episode 13: "By the Book" Cate Blanchett Mrs Haines / Vivian 1993 Season 3. episode 5: "The Loaded Boy" & TV movie: "Police Rescue In Action" Celia Ireland Lachlan's mother 1992 Season 2, episode 2: "Sugar" Claudia Black Julia 1993 Season 3, episode: "Double Illusion" Colleen Anne Fitzpatrick Fay McClintock 1992; 1993 Season 2–3, 2 episodes Colin Friels Lew Campbell 1992 Season 2, 1 episode Damian de Montemas Greg 1995 Season 4, 1 episode Daniel Wyllie Owen 1993 Season 3, 1 episode Darren Gilshenan Nick 1993 Season 3, episode: "Wild Goose Chase" David Field Paul 1992 Season 2, 1 episode David Wenham Ferret 1991 Season 1, episode: "The Cosmic Lightbeam" Debra Byrne Maria Mellick / Tricia Mellick 1991; 1992 Season 1–2, 2 episodes Fiona Corke Sandra 1995 Season 4, 1 episode Gabrielle Fitzpatrick The Waitress 1991 Season 1, episode: "Mates" Gennie Nevinson Alice Mortimer 1993 Season 3, episode 12: "Double Illusion" Jessica Napier Therese / Tracey / Zoe 1991; 1996 Season 1, 2 episodes: "L.P.G.", "One for Dad" Season 5, episode: "The Only Constant" Joel Edgerton Andy 1995 Season 4, episode 13: "Wild Card" John Jarratt Dave 1994 Season 4, episode 9: "Public Mischief" John Noble Sergeant 1991 Season 1, episode 10: "Hostage" Judith McGrath Hazel 1995 Season 4, 1 episode Justin Rosniak Sam 1993–1996 Season 3–5, 4 episodes Kelly Dingwall Dylan 1991 Season 1, 1 episode Kim Krejus Bernadette Kelly 1991 Season 1, 1 episode Kristy Wright Cassie 1994 Season 4, episode 4 Leeanna Walsman Debbie 1996 Season 5, 1 episode Marnie Reece-Wilmore Danni 1995 Season 4, 1 episode Melissa Jaffer Gwen 1995 Season 4, 1 episode Melissa Tkautz Helen Catteau 1991 Season 1, 1 episode Michael Denkha First Mate 1996 Season 5, 1 episode Miranda Otto Amanda 1995 Season 4, episode: "On the Outer" Nash Edgerton Alex's mate 1994 TV movie: "Police Rescue in Action" Peter Phelps Alex Willis 1996 Season 5, 3 episodes Peter Whitford Russell 1992 Season 2, episode 6: "Stakeout" Philip Quast Bob Harrison 1991 Season 1, episode 1: "Mates" Rel Hunt Dog / Hugo 1993; 1994 Season 3, episode 8: "Speeding", TV movie: "Police Rescue in Action" Richard Carter Vic Wilson 1991 Season 1, 1 episode Ritchie Singer Daryl 1989 Pilot Rob Carlton Young Prisoner 1992 Season 1, 1 episode Robert Mammone Truck Driver 1992 Season 2, 1 episode Roxane Wilson Tessa 1996 Season 5, episode 9: "That Only Constant" Roy Billing Myer 1991 Season 1, 1 episode Russell Crowe Constable Tom 'Bomber' Young 1992 Season 2, episode 2: "The Right Stuff" Shane Connor Geoff 1992 Season 2, episode 13: "Heartbeat" Sharyn Hodgson Kerry 1998 1 episode Simon Lyndon Matt 1996 Season 5, 1 episode Steve Le Marquand Youth 1993 Season 3, 1 episode Steven Vidler Scuderi 1995 Season 4, 1 episode Susan Lyons Janet 1995 Season 4, 1 episode Susan Prior Debra 1996 Season 5, 1 episode Tara Morice Jenny 1991 Season 1, 1 episode Tim Campbell Hugo 1996 Season 5, episode 6: "Double Jeopardy " Tony Bonner Paul 1992 Season 2, 1 episode Wynn Roberts Anthony Mason 1991 Season 1, 1 episode Zoe Carides Constable Lorrie 'Flash' Gordon 1994 TV movie: "Police Rescue in Action"
Episodes
Pilot movie In mid-1989, Southern Star Xanadu broadcast the pilot episode of Police Rescue via the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The 90-minute telemovie established the background of the protagonist of the series, Sergeant "Mickey" McClintock (Gary Sweet). Several issues were raised in the pilot, such as women's discrimination, sexism and street violence. The plot evolved around the entrance of the first woman member to the Police Rescue Squad, Constable Georgia Rattray (Sonia Todd) and then the search for a missing boy in Sydney's sewer system.Ed. Scott Murray, "Australia on the Small Screen 1970–1995", Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p130.
Season 1 (1991) The telemovie was well received and spawned the series of Police Rescue, which carried on shortly after the pilot.
Season 2 (1992)
Season 3 (1993)
Feature Film and TV Special (1994)
Season 4 (1995)
Season 5 (1996)
Home media Between 1993 and 1994 Village Roadshow released selected episodes on VHS.
In 1994 CIC-TAFT Video released Police Rescue: The Movie on VHS.
The first Police Rescue DVD releases started in November 2006 with Season 1. The following year Warner Vision released Seasons 2 and 3 in April 2007 and in July 2007 Seasons 4 and 5 were released.
The second Police Rescue DVD release was in November 2017 with Via Vision Entertainment re-releasing Police Rescue as a complete boxset (Seasons 1–5 + Pilot Movie).
As of 6 Feb 2026 – Police Rescue: The Movie and Police Rescue: In Action are still not available on DVD.
In July 2019, the Seven Network released the complete first season and second season of Police Rescue via video on demand on 7plus.
As of 2 Aug 2025 – Police Rescue is available via video on demand on ABC iview.
VHS Releases Title Format Ep # Tapes Region (Australia) Special features Distributors Mates and Hostages VHS Series 1, Episode 1&10 01 1993 None Village Roadshow Mad Dog and by the Book VHS Series 1, Episode 5&13 01 – None Village Roadshow Judgement Day and Reasons to Live VHS Series 2, Episodes 5&9 01 – None Village Roadshow Police Rescue: The Movie VHS Film 01 1994 None CIC-TAFT Home Video
DVD Releases Title Format Ep # Discs/Tapes Region 4 (Australia) Special features Distributors Police Rescue: Season One DVD 13 4 26 November 2006 90-minute pilot episode Warner Vision Police Rescue: Season Two DVD 13 4 9 April 2007 None Warner Vision Police Rescue: Season Three DVD 13 4 9 April 2007 None Warner Vision Police Rescue: Season Four (Part 1) DVD 11 3 9 July 2007 None Warner Vision Police Rescue: Season Four (Part 2) DVD 11 3 9 July 2007 None Warner Vision Police Rescue: The Complete Collection DVD 61 18 22 November 2017 90-minute pilot episode Via Vision Entertainment Police Rescue: The Complete Collection DVD 61 18 07 August 2024 (Re-Release) 90-minute pilot episode Via Vision Entertainment
Online Streaming Police Rescue (Seasons 1–4) are currently streaming on multiple streaming sites around the world including 7plus, 10 (VoD service) & Amazon Prime.
As of 2 Aug 2025 – Police Rescue (Season 01-04) and The Feature Length Pilot Episode is available via video on demand on ABC iview.
Currently the Police Rescue: The Movie and Police Rescue: In Action (TV Special) are yet to get a streaming release.
Police Rescue Collectibles Title Author Format Content # Australia Release Bonus Content Police Rescue 1 Bill Green Book Novelisation of Series 1, Episodes 1, 4, 5 1992 None Police Rescue 2 Bill Green Book Novelisation of Series 1, Episodes 8, 10, 11 1992 TBA Police Rescue 3 Jack Bridson Book Novelisation of Series 2, Episodes 5, 11, 13 1993 TBA Police Rescue: Omnibus- Edition Bill Green, Jack Bridson Book (combines Police Rescue 1, 2, 3) 1993 Cast Photo Police Rescue: Souvenir Special Nic Place (editor) Magazine Behind the Scenes 1993 Cast Posters and Cast Photos. Police Rescue: The Movie Bill Green Book Novelisation of the Feature Film 1994 TBA Police Rescue: Trading Card Trading Card Featuring Gary Sweet N/A None
References
External links
Police Rescue: The Movie at Internet Movie Database WarnerVision Police Rescue at epguides Police Rescue at the National Film and Sound Archive Police Rescue – "By the Book" at Australian Screen Online Police Rescue – "Mates" at Australian Screen Online Police Rescue: The Film at Oz Movies Rescue Bahawalpur – "By urdu Wikipedia" at Pakistan Screen Online