I dont remember this at the time it was first shown - some years ago.
Apparently the police who had cooperated with the first series were so upset at the way they were shown they no longer worked with the programme makers for the next 2 series.
Its filmed in a way that is meant to be naturalistic I think. (Inspired by Hill Street Blues?)
I found it interesting because apart from the clothes many of the issues the police in the series have to deal with are still the ones they have are dealing with today.
So once you get over the fashion shock, this workplace approach is quite interesting.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0j0284z/the-cops