When Tony Musante agreed to do the series, he refused to commit to more than one full season. He would continue in the role only if the second season was shortened to 10 episodes, or six 90-minute 'wheel' episodes, as was used on the "The NBC Tuesday Mystery Movie (1971)." Producers were certain Musante would change his mind, and return for a full second season, so they agreed to the unusual contract. But when the producers tried to renegotiate with Musante after the first season, he still refused, and quit the series. The producers wanted Robert Blake to take over the role. But when Blake balked at taking over an established role, the series was retooled as "Baretta (1975)."
Stephen J. Cannell created a character named Rockford for a script he wrote for this series. That script was based on a story idea by his boss, Roy Huggins. That script was rejected by ABC, so it was rewritten and eventually became the pilot for the classic NBC series, Backlash of the Hunter (1974).
This series was based on a real New Jersey police detective named David Toma. Every episode featured a cameo by the real Toma.
When Musante left the series, the real David Toma offered to take over the role. But ABC declined his request.
The producers originally wanted to titled the series "Supercop" but David Toma argued against it and convinced them to change the title.