Detective John Kelly has his hands full. On the work front, his partner’s drinking problem and continual harassment of gangster Alfonse Giardella is about to get them both in over their heads with the mob. On the personal front, his wife wants a divorce.

Lieutenant Fancy and Detective Kelly are warned to stop pressuring the mob even as Andy Sipowicz lies in the hospital with numerous gunshot wounds. Back at Kelly's ex-wife's apartment building, an angry young man starts carrying a gun for protection.

After discovering the hotel where Giardella is being held, Sipowicz gets his revenge with the help of a pet bulldog and the hotel's thankful chef. Meanwhile, Officer Janice Licalsi receives a visit from her guilt-ridden father.

Kelly quits moonlighting as a bodyguard after discovering his millionaire employer is a wife beater. Later Kelly speaks at a tenant meeting explaining the dangers of carrying a gun for protection. Unfortunately, his talk has little impact on the tenant in 4B.

Kelly is forced to arrest a close friend after a fight on the basketball court leaves another friend dead. Meanwhile, Sipowicz's suspicions are aroused while investigating a drive-by shooting in which the wife is killed but the husband survives.