Bob Grogan, one of the detectives who worked on the Hillside Strangler case in Los Angeles, was hired as a technical advisor for the show, but was fired when he criticized re-writes of his ideas.
Was originally to be titled The Protectors, which would be the title of the show's pilot. Creator Rick Husky originally developed the show as a newer version of his previous series The Rookies, and intended the show as an ensemble series. Noting William Shatner's prominence in the pilot, it was decided to make Hooker the focus of the show, and title the series after the character.
The name Hooker was an homage to Civil War Union General Joseph (Fighting Joe) Hooker.
Hooker's full legal name was Thomas Jefferson Hooker.
Like the previous Aaron Spelling produced/Rick Husky created series S.W.A.T. (1975), which used the fictional "WCPD" police department, "T.J. Hooker" does not use the LAPD as the police department for which Hooker and the others are working. Despite the fact that they are obviously a part of the LAPD, with the look of the uniforms, and the design of the patrol cars, Hooker is part of the fictitious "LCPD". While there is a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, their uniforms and cars are different.