United States

Detective Harry Callahan, reinstated to homicide after being disciplined for using unorthodox methods in dealing with an armed robbery, finds himself working alongside a woman police officer, Kate Moore. A series of brutal killings is linked to a terrorist outfit headed by Bobby Maxwell. Later a taped demand is received from 'The People's Revolutionary Strike Force' for a one million dollar payment to save the destruction of the city. Callahan makes a deal with Big Ed Mustapha, leader of a Black Militant group, for the latter to make enquiries about Maxwell, but the plan is thwarted by Capt. McKay, Callahan's superior. Maxwell's next coup is to kidnap the Mayor and increase the ransom demand to five million. Callahan is told not to interfere, but he takes the situation into his own hands, aided by Kate.