Here’s what you missed on Live PD this weekend.

Live PD is the ratings-winning law enforcement ride-along show that ordinarily airs fresh episodes on Friday and Saturday evenings at 9 p.m. Eastern time on the A&E television network.

Producers and videographers embed in real time with officers on patrol from eight different U.S. police agencies. A Live PD recap follows below. 

Given its often intense action, unpredictability, danger,  plus quirky and humorous, and sometimes mundane, interactions between cops and citizens, Live PD is perhaps the closest thing that even approaches appointment TV anymore in the fragmented entertainment space. (Live PD has also spawned several spin-offs.)

With 32 live feeds coming into the studio, most segments are broadcast on a reported five- to 20-minute tape delay. When nothing of interest is happening in real time, pretaped segments air, which Live PD describes as incidents that happened “earlier.”

For viewers, Live PD is addicting, which perhaps is an unfortunate choice of words in this context. While millions of Americans experiment — and more than experiment — with drugs when younger, Live PD reveals a self-destructive cohort hooked on narcotics (and/or booze) well into middle age and beyond.

Many thanks to Twitter user TG LivePD (@TLivepd) for compiling and sharing video clips on social media.

As the Live PD disclaimer indicates, not all outcomes are known or final, and criminal charges, if any, may have been reduced, dismissed, or never filed.

When alleged criminal activities are depicted on Live PD, all persons are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.

Rules or No Rules of the Road?

Many subjects who appear on the show in law enforcement interactions are covered with tattoos (as are the cops more often than not), love cigarettes, and often have warrants. They often carry contraband on their person and/or in their vehicles, the latter which are often unregistered and/or uninsured.

Transporting contraband such as controlled substances plus no valid license/registration is usually an ill-advised combination as is contraband plus vehicle equipment malfunctions.

Alleged drug traffickers who fail to abide by routine traffic laws or, as noted, lack working vehicle running lights or other related equipment, can also wind up in big trouble following a probable cause search.

Two Beers, Not My Pants

“I only had two beers” is a familiar mantra from motorists pulled over upon being asked by cops if they had anything to drink that evening.

Another mantra is “not that I know of” when cops question a subject as to whether there might be illegal drugs in a vehicle or even on their person. In the alternative, subjects also often claim that drugs “belong to a friend.”

From time to time, they also claim that the pants that they are wearing in which cops find drugs belong to a friend.

Not my jacket or not my purse are also familiar refrains.

In addition to the drug epidemic across across the country as well as alcoholism, the obesity epidemic is also frequently on display.

When a subject begins a sentence with “I’m going to be honest with you, officer,” you can generally expect that things will quickly go sideways.

Some combative subjects argue themselves into an arrest (i.e., talking themselves into handcuffs) even when cops are about to let them go with minor infractions, citations, or warnings.

Some suspects seem more concerned about smoking one last cigarette before jail than they are about going to jail.

Several of the cops, who are impressively observant when they question subjects, have become social media celebrities as a result of their participation in Live PD.

As an aside, officers across the country have a tendency to ungrammatically add the preposition “at” to the end of a sentence. I.e.: “Where do you live at?” or “Where is he/she at?”

Expect the Unexpected

Traffic stops — the primary but no the only enforcement actions seen on Live PD — are often like a flea market. Viewers never know what the officers might find inside a vehicles after either a consensual search or a probable cause search pursuant to a K9 alert or another factor.

Among the weird items they often find include bottles of presumably clean urine used to circumvent a drug test.

Moreover, as suggested above, no license, no registration, and no insurance consists of a trifecta in many of those stops. (A disproportionate number of pick-up trucks seem to have issues when stopped by law enforcement officers).

Mismatched plates, expired (and/or doctored) temporary tags, and the like are also frequent infractions.

You’ll also note that subjects are typically clutching their phones at all times no matter what, and males often don’t take the time to put on a shirt even when a cop shows up at their front door.

Driver’s License Optional

Somehow, a driver’s license became an optional credential for many motorists

Motorists sometimes claim to have a valid driver’s license, but for some inexplicable reason, they aren’t carrying it with them. Or it was stolen. Is it any wonder that the cops often ask the person behind the wheel if he or she has a drivers license on them?

Occasionally drivers will say that they have a picture of their license, registration, or other required documents on their phone rather than in their physical form.

Officers often give break to those who are driving illegally, however. Sometimes cops will allow the motorist to drive directly home or call another licensed driver to the scene to take over behind the wheel.

Judging by these traffic stops, driving while buzzed seems to be a growing, as it were, problem across the country. Weed laws vary significantly from state to state. Some jurisdictions have decriminalized possession of small amounts.

Some, but not all, of the subjects that police make contact with express excitement about being on Live PD (although occasionally they think they’re on Cops).

In switching quickly from sequence to sequence, and as you’ll see below, Live PD does not always provide an update of how cops resolved a particular encounter, if at all.

As alluded to above, K9s well trained in drug detecting and human tracking regularly assist cops in their investigations on Live PD. Note that because of changes in the laws of some states, K9s in certain jurisdictions no longer get trained for weed sniffing.

This Weekend on Live PD

If you’re wondering what happened on Live PD this weekend, a recap/summary of Friday and Saturday night’s Live PD editions follows.

Host Dan Abrams — he of the puns and the double entendres — and regular studio analysts Tom Morris, Jr., and Tulsa PD Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin provide studio commentary. This weekend, Okla. Highway Patrol Trooper Russell Callicoat joins the trio in studio.

Live PD, Season 3, Episode 87, August 16, 2019

Again, please understand that what is depicted on the show, and accordingly summarized below, including but not limited to any arrests, constitute mere allegations.Initial assessments made by cops or Live PD analysts about the interactions may be incorrect.

  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies on foot pursuit of subject through neighborhood. Subject finally detained and charged with breach of the peace, loitering for purpose of narcotics, and unlawful entry.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop on pickup truck; swerving. Driver arrested for DWI. According to deputies, he allegedly blew a .247 on portable breathalyzer.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputies assist on scene of fire at senior living center.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Troopers respond to report of car-motorcycle accident. Occupants of car allegedly fled scene. Troopers search salvage yard for subjects. Female passenger detained but subsequently released with no charges.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to report of strong-arm robbery allegedly involving drugs. Assault victim transported to hospital. At least on suspect identified and detained.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Traffic stop; brake light out. Suspended license. Officer Adams indicates that driver is a known gang member on post-release community supervision for gun charge. Car search.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Deputies responded to an urgent call involving three armed men in a getaway car who had just robbed a bank at gunpoint.” Suspects bailed out of their gun and opened fire on deputies. They fled in another vehicle but were apprehended after deputy implements PIT maneuver. The trio were arrested and face charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery. Bag of money allegedly found in one of the vehicles.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies pursue vehicle that allegedly refused to pull over. Deputies brake off chase, but vehicle wrecks out and hits another car. Two occupants arrested. Lt. Brown: “A whole bunch of ziplock baggies. You guys making sandwiches today? No, these ain’t making sandwiches, bro.” Lt Brown finds boxes of edibles and says that each one is a felony.
  • Lafayette, La. — Traffic stop (for some reason). One of the occupants claims he runs the 40 in 3.4 seconds.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to fight report with possible shots fired plus small fire. Suspects had already fled the area.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol (pretaped segment): Abrams: “[Trooper Callicoat] encountered a man who had some very serious, let’s call them jurisdictional concerns, about how you’re doing you’re job.” Traffic stop for running red light. Trooper educates pedestrian about obstruction.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to report of wrong-way driver, but subsequently called off.
  • East Providence, R.I. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “An alleged drunk driver got pulled over for a hit and run, and then it was his mouth that kept on running.” Subject faces disorderly conducting, resisting arrest, and DUI-related charges.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Traffic stop on truck for speeding and mechanical violations. Released with warning.
  • Wanted Update and new Wanted segment (Cheektowaga, N.Y.):
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop. Very cooperative and very tall driver who indicates that he has marijuana pipe in car. Released with warning. Abrams: “6’9″; there’s no question he gets high.”
  • Okla. Highway Patrol (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “During a field sobriety test earlier in Oklahoma, we were reminded of something many of us learned in math class. That is, a straight line has no end point.” Traffic stop; speeding and unsafe lane change. Trooper indicates driver allegedly blew a 0.24; charged with DUI.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop; no front plate, no back plate light. No insurance. Driver indicates she lost license.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Officer Muscutt spots man head first in trash casn at car wash allegedly engaged in self-stimulation. Officer allegedly finds heroin tube (used for “chasing the dragon”) and hatchet in bag. Abrams: “Apparently got a buff and a shine there.” Subject transported to hospital. Abrams: “Wow, ‘chasing the dragon.’ That’s not all he was doing with the dragon.”
  • Lafayette, La. — Traffic stop; failure to signal. Abrams: “The options appear to be a bit limited here when it comes to whether he should take a test or not take a test. I don’t know if it makes much of a difference.” Driver arrested for DUI.
  • Missing Update and new Missing segment (Mesa, Ariz.):
  • Richland County, S.C. — Traffic stop; driver allegedly ran stop sign. Deputies allegedly find marijuana, crack cocaine, and heroin in car. Driver is not particularly cooperative.
  • Salinas, Cal. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “What do parachute pants, members-only jackets, and mullets have in common? They were all in fashion last time this guy pulled over…had a valid license.” Traffic stop on pickup truck. Suspended registration, suspended license about 30 years ago. Officers allegedly find open contained, needle, and a gram of meth. Driver arrested for possession of meth and meth pip, open container, driving under suspension, and two outstanding warrants.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; headlights off.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop; no front license plate.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; speeding.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Traffic stop; unregistered vehicle. Sgt. Ripoza: “I don’t want to smell you shirt.”
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to report of someone trying to knock down door in apartment complex. End of episode.

Live PD, Season 3, Episode 88, August 17, 2019

  • Greene County, Mo. — Deputies pursue possible stolen truck with two occupants. Driver and passenger (who was found hiding in woods) taken in custody. Truck on fire after spike strips deployed and crash.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputies attempt traffic stop of vehicle allegedly involved in hit and run but but vehicle wont’ pull over. Pursuit ensues. Driver subsequently bails, prompting foot pursuit. Cops set up perimeter to cordon off area. With the help of tips neighborhood residents, deputies take subject into custody. Initial charge is evading.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Cops find vehicle that may have been involved in a home burglary. K9 deployed for tracking suspects. Officer Mitchell returns expensive jewelry items to victim who was holding a garage sale (a.k.a. yard sale or tag sale, depending upon the terminology in use where you live). Abrams: “That’s a pricey garage sale.” Morris, Jr.: “I’ve had yard sales, and on one wants to give you more than $5 for anything.”
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; troopers detect alleged odor of marijuana. Young child in car. Car search. Driver allegedly has nonextraditable out-of-state warrant. Mom doesn’t seem concerned about alleged driving situation despite cautions from trooper. Couple released with no charges.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers assist neighboring agency with report of fight at go-kart park. False alarm apparently.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A wild hit and run involving five different cars and one driver apparently with a very vivid imagination.” Troopers pursue driver who crashed into five cars and bailed on foot. Driver who was operating the vehicle under suspension was subsequently taken into custody. Weapon found in vehicle. No one seriously injured fortunately. Charges include seat belt violation, defective windshield, unsafe lane change, plus felony eluding, resisting arrest, and leaving an accident scene. He was later charged with possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Traffic stop.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Deputies track a group of six motorcyclists driving erratically. One detained after wrecking out. “I’m an idiot.” Deputies spend several hours chasing the other five, two of whom seemed to be playing a cat-and-mouse game with coups by eluding them. Eventually all taken in custody.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Troopers assist other agencies in pursuit. Car doesn’t pull over until reaches apartment complex. Four kids in car. Original attempted stop was merely for headlights. Driver has no license and has warrants. Officers spot open container and a bag with some white powder. Car impounded; driver arrested. Trooper Nickell: “Luckily she just actually drove to her grandma’s house and gave up, so now the kids can be released to family.”
  • Greene County, Mo. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “For one driver being taken to jail, that seemed to be the least of his worries.” Traffic stop; headlights off, taillight out. Car search. Driver charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Driver’s irate dad comes to seen to drive car home.
  • Lafayette, La. — Traffic stop. Driver won’t exit vehicle (later claims he was listening to music). Three officers eventually pull him out. Original stop was for burned-out taillight and no turn signal. Officers detect odor of weed. Car search. Driver issued citations for the infractions and released.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputies spot driver allegedly throwing things out of car. Mismatched plate. K9 alert on sock. Abrams: “Seems like he’s socking away some cash in his sock,” Deputy Dalton: “The dog doesn’t lie, man. The dog is not capable of lying.” Vehicle search. Deputies find clothing with security tags still attached. They also allegedly find alcohol that allegedly was stolen as well as a few baggies of what appears to be weed. Driver arrested for theft.
  • Lafayette, La. — Officers respond to burglar alarm at local business.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Woman flags down Officer Mitchell over some dispute with boyfriend. They are released but Mitchell later spots woman (who has suspended license) behind the wheel of the couple’s car.
  • Crime of the Week update and “traffic trouble”:
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; taillights off.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; brake light. Driver is 16-year-old female with no license. Passenger is male, age 31, who appears to be intoxicated according to trooper. Four year old not buckled up. The driver is listed as a missing person; mom is coming to the scene.
  • East Providence, R.I. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A man insisted he was not riding a stolen motorcycle. How did he know? He bought it on Craigslist.” Officer spotted group on street bikes behind middle school at 11 p.m. One subject arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. Others released.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; slow roller. Expired plate; suspended license. Officers allegedly find weed and a crack pipe in car which are confiscated. Driver receives citations for the infractions and released. Car towed. Abrams: “That was one spicy nugget.”
  • Lafayette, La. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A rather hefty bust involving a lot of marijuana and a lot of suspect.” Traffic stop for traffic violation. Officers detect alleged strong odor of weed coming from vehicle. Driver is operating on suspended license. Probable cause search. Officers allegedly find about six pounds of weed. Driver arrested on one initial charge of felony possession with intent to distribute. Vehicle towed.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Insp. Sroka responds to noise complaint and tells residents to turn down the music. Abrams: “What’s with the guy with the neck pillow? Is he getting ready to get on a plane?”
  • Salinas, Cal. — Officers respond to report of shots fired. End of episode.