"[1] The 1-8-7 of the title is a specific reference to the California Penal Code designation for homicide, which has become a slang term for murder.

They discover that the owner of the car-wash was laundering money for a local drug dealer and that his wife has the bank statements and receipts to prove it.

Longford and Mahajan investigate the slaying of a rising hip-hop star who is found on the street in front of a record store.

It is also revealed that Detective Stone might have been involved in some more illicit activities during his time working undercover narcotics.

[31] Three days later it was announced that James McDaniel, Shaun Majumder, and Erin Cummings had been cast in the remaining principal roles of Detroit 1-8-7.

[1] Originally planned as a mockumentary, ABC decided to abandon the format after the Detroit Police Department suspended real-life documentary ridealongs by camera crews after a controversial police shooting during filming of the A&E documentary series The First 48.

"[40] The next morning it was a recurring topic on local radio station WDZH (98.7 AMP) about which is the proper term for soft drink in Detroit, "soda" or "pop".

Landmarks shown include Comerica Park, Ford Field, the Renaissance Center, and Michigan Central Station.

[43] Motown music featured in Detroit 1-8-7 includes "Ball of Confusion" by The Temptations, "Higher Ground" and "Living for the City" by Stevie Wonder.

[46] The thirteenth episode, "Road To Nowhere", was initially scheduled for January 18, 2011 but was replaced with a 20/20 special interview with Mark E. Kelly, the husband of U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords who is believed to have been the intended target in the shooting near Tucson, Arizona ten days before.

[54] On November 29, 2010 Variety reported that Canal+ has acquired rights to the series and will be showing it in France beginning on January 27, 2011.

[57] Robert Bianco of USA Today describes the series as the best police drama on ABC since NYPD Blue ended.

"[44] Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette found Detroit 1-8-7 brings nothing new to the police procedural genre but that it does offer strong performances from its cast.

"[61] Many critics point out that the ghost remnants of the show's original premise as a mockumentary can be found throughout the first episode.

[66] The twelfth episode, "Key to the City", recorded 5.05 million viewers and a series low 1.0/3 rating/share among adults 18 to 49 years old.

[68] Detroit 1-8-7 was nominated for Favorite New TV Drama at the 37th People's Choice Awards but it did not make the final cut for the five finalists.