GTA 6 wanted system: police, heat and K-9 units explained

Grand Theft Auto VI is less than three weeks from launch, and the clearest look yet at how its police work came this week. Edge magazine's issue 430 cover story, which GamesRadar+ published in full on October 29, 2026, describes a 90-minute hands-on demo played live by Rockstar North's Rob Nelson. Much of it was about one thing: what happens when the cops start looking for you.

The short version is that GTA 6 doesn't just hand you stars and send every officer in Leonida straight at you. The police build a description of you, and how hard they hunt depends on what they know. Here is everything Rockstar has shown or said about the wanted system so far, and what is still unconfirmed.

How GTA 6's wanted system works

In GTA 5, the police seemed to know where you were the moment you fired a gun. GTA 6 works differently. Speaking to IGN, Nelson said: "The wanted system in GTA 6 requires that someone witness the crime, or an alarm needs to be set off for it to be reported to the law." If nobody sees you and no alarm goes off, there's no report.

Once a crime is reported, the game shows what the police know as a row of icons at the top of the screen. Edge describes these as "the contents of the police report". They cover your physical description, whether you were alone or with a partner, what you were wearing, whether you were caught on CCTV and whether you were carrying a weapon. In footage Rockstar has released, GamesRadar+ counted six different icons: a security camera, an accomplice, clothing, a face, a weapon and a vehicle.

Edge also says the police give you some latitude for minor offences, and that the way you carry a gun matters. A shotgun held in your hands draws a different reaction from one slung over your back.

Six wanted stars, not five

GTA 5 tops out at five stars. Rockstar's extended look at GTA 6 shows a wanted meter with six, GamesRadar+ and GameSpot both report. The extra star suggests an even heavier police response at the top end, although Rockstar hasn't said exactly what six stars brings.

Rockstar's footage also shows the stars changing from white to red after you break contact with the police. GamesRadar+ reads this as the difference between police who can see you and police who are searching for you, but that is its interpretation. Rockstar hasn't explained the colours.

How to lose your wanted level in GTA 6

Because the police are working from a description, you can make that description wrong. Edge says you can split up with your partner, change clothes and drop your weapon to remove details from the report. GamesRadar+ adds that swapping to a different car removes the vehicle icon.

Nelson told IGN that "one star is not going to be too difficult to get away from" and that splitting up "will also help lower the police's perception of you." Higher wanted levels are harder. "If you get three stars in the city, it can sometimes be challenging to get away in a vehicle, unless it's a very fast vehicle or a sports bike," he said. "Your best option is usually to do this – get off the streets and get on foot into the alleys."

GameSpot reports that the game warns you when you have been caught on a security camera, and that you can destroy that evidence. One caveat if you split up: GamesRadar+ believes that if either Jason or Lucia is caught while you're apart, you're still busted. Rockstar hasn't confirmed this.

K-9 units, stinger strips and car trackers

Edge's demo showed how far the police response goes. During a night-time motorcycle chase, Nelson rode over a stinger strip that blew a tyre. A police dog, an Alsatian, then caught up and pinned Jason to the ground. Edge says Rockstar staff urged Nelson not to shoot it. GameSpot, which also covered the preview, says you can pet or scold the dog, and that the K-9 units are German Shepherds.

Stealing cars is riskier too. According to Edge, some drivers will be armed, newer expensive cars have trackers, and owners call in reports after a theft. Polygon's write-up of the same preview highlights the trackers, witness reports and CCTV identification. If you need to shoot while driving with a partner, you can switch to the passenger seat.

Stolen cars feed into WAINK, an in-game app Edge describes for fencing vehicles. High-end cars can ping the police, you get a signal blocker at the drop-off point, and your payment depends on the car's condition. Cars now also have a fuel gauge and engine health.

Your criminal profile follows you

Beyond a single chase, Edge reports that GTA 6 tracks a Criminal Profile that runs from Professional to Irredeemable, shown with angel and devil icons. Edge says this profile influences the story. There is also a four-point relationship scale between Jason and Lucia. Nelson wouldn't confirm whether the two can get married.

Rockstar hasn't explained exactly what moves your profile up or down, or how much it changes the story. We'll update this when the company shares more, or when the game is out.

GTA 6 release date, price and platforms

GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. According to Take-Two, the Standard Edition costs $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition costs $99.99. Digital preloads start on November 12, and physical copies, which include a download code, also arrive on November 12. Anyone who buys before November 20 gets the Vintage Vice City Pack, and digital pre-orders include a free month of GTA+.

The game won't run on PS4, and it isn't part of Xbox Game Pass. Rockstar hasn't announced a PC version. GameSpot mentions talk that GTA Online and a PC release could follow in early 2027, but that is speculation, not an announcement.

Edge's preview also says the map is about twice the size of GTA 5's, close to the combined size of GTA 4, GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, with around 600,000 NPC animations. Asked if the game is finished, Nelson told Edge: "It's ready."