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.

Videographers embed in real time with officers from eight different police agencies.

After the show’s two-week hiatus, a Live PD recap follows below.

Live PD has also spawned several spin-offs.

Because of 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.

With 32 live feeds coming into the studio, most segments air on a reported five- to 20-minute tape delay. When nothing 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) and others 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 of the Road?

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

Transporting contraband 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 are often like a flea market. Viewers never know what the officers might find inside vehicles after either a probable cause search pursuant to a K9 alert or consensual search.

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).

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 motorists if they have a drivers license on them?

Officers often give break to those who are driving illegally, however.

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.

This Weekend on ‘Live PD’

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

Lafayette, La., PD joins the show for the first time apparently replacing Santa Fe, N.M.

‘Live PD,’ Season 3, Episode 76, July 12, 2019

Again, please understand that what is depicted on the show, and summarized below, including but not limited to any arrests, constitute mere allegations.

  • Greene County, Mo. — Deputies pursue pair of speeding dirt bikes. One male arrested for speeding and resisting by speeding. The other male released with no charges.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Officers respond to father-son altercation. Officer witnesses son pushing dad. After a scuffle, officers arrest son for resisting and battery.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officer allegedly spotted someone trying to kick in door at abandoned commercial property. Officers detain two teens; search building for three others. Entire group released with warning.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; no front plate, rear plate is a mismatch. K9 alert. Substance found in center console tested positive for meth. Chicken tenders found in passenger’s purse. Abrams: “She is going to be on her way after that tender moment where she put the chicken in the garbage.”
  • Lafayette, La. — Officers respond to report of fight in progress with baseball bat. Subjects, if any, had already dispersed.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; possible DUI. Field sobriety test. Subject unable to follow directions (i.e., “don’t move your head.”) Abrams: “He was either having a great time or he was drunk.” Morris, Jr.: “And when he comes to in jail and sobers up, he’s not going to think anything’s funny about this whole situation.”
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; swerving. Driver with cat had no license or insurance. Field sobriety test. Abrams: “Pass or fail, it seems his ice cream cone will safely be awaiting his return.” Trooper issues citation for driving under suspension and told to ask wife (who is licensed) to drive vehicle home.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Officers respond to report that neighbor saw a plasma TV being thrown over fence. Officers search and clear residence. Nothing missing or out of the ordinary. Officer Muscutt: That turned out to be a big nothing burger. Everything seems to be Code 4.”
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; reckless driving. Graphic: “Be like Mike.” Driver arrested on warrant for assault-family violence.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to boy supposedly home alone who needs help with homework. Appears to be a prank.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; suspended license. Driver has warrant for theft.
  • Greene County, Mo. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Deputies got a call about a young man who’d reportedly been shot and was apparently eager to take it out on the police.” Male allegedly falsely told girlfriend that he’d been shot to obtain her sympathy. Morris, Jr.: “Went from a dead serious situation to one of the stupidest pranks we’ve ever seen on this show.”
  • Salinas, Cal. — Officers respond to unwanted guest at a memorial service. Subject was wearing an “L.A. County Jail” T-shirt. Abrams: “Well, it seems that his shirt would suggest that he may be right at home where he’s going –just a different jurisdiction.” Subject arrested for public intoxication and possession of open container.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies respond to report of man robbed at gunpoint. Deputies, plus K9, search apartment complex. Apparently second armed robbery occurred in area. Gunshots heard in distance.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “We’ve seen squabbles over who wears the pants in the relationship or in the case of this couple…over who wore the shorts.” Deputies respond to domestic incident. Male was burning items but it turns out not the female’s property. No charges.
  • Lafayette, La. — Traffic stop; merging into lane without using signal. Fake gun found. Driver released with warning about traffic violation.
  • Wanted segment — Deez Nuts update plus Kenosha, Wisc., shoplifting incident:
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies spot man passed out in vehicle outside motel. Car had expired tag that was altered. Abrams: “Looks like they’ve just been shall we say ‘updating’ the tag on their own.” Driver and passenger released with no charges.
  • Williamson County, Tex. (pretaped segment) — Deputies track down alleged stolen truck on interstate. Female driver detained in traffic stop. Substance found in vehicle allegedly tests positive for meth. Driver arrested on narcotics charge. Investigation into truck ownership pending.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputes respond to disturbance (at same motel from previous call) between man and woman staying in different rooms. No charges. Subjects separated for the night.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to report that a customer allegedly assaulted the owner of a comedy club. Abrams: “Nothing funny about that.” Possible suspect detained but not charged. He is trespassed from the club (i.e., officially banned from returning).
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Lt. Kennedy backs up local PD in vehicle pursuit. Later called off.

Missing segment — St. Charles, Mo.

  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to residential burglary report. Officers secure perimeter while awaiting K9 arrival.
  • Lafayette, La. — Officers respond to complaint of someone on bike making a threat against another resident.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; passenger had warrants.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputies respond to car crash with injuries. and then alleged unruly, drunk driver pulled over at the scene. Field sobriety test. Abrams: “The potential here, of course, is for a much bigger issue than just talking on the phone while driving.” Lt. Kennedy patiently questions the motorist.
  • East Providence, R.I. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A couple who had been together for nine years but apparently their relationship wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.”‘
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop; swerving (couple apparently coming back from McDonald’s). Deputy finds drug paraphernalia in plain view. Driver allegedly failed field sobriety testing. Driver arrested for DUI marijuana and driving with revoked or suspended license.
  • East Providence R.I. — Well-being check on daughter; everything is fine.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; speeding. Driver said that “honest truth” is that he was “a little buzzed” which he claimed was “seven beers.” Abrams: “Unclear if honesty will have been the best policy here.” End of episode.

Note: Live PD plans to cover the Lafayette, PD’s preparation for the tropical storm due to hit the New Orleans area.

‘Live PD,’ Season 3, Episode 77, July 13, 2019

  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; traffic violations. Driver detained at gunpoint. Driver arrested for possession of meth, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and for eluding police.
  • Salinas, Cal. — High-speed pursuit of alleged stolen vehicle. PIT maneuver deployed. Officer Mitchell’s cruiser becomes disabled in process. Vehicle finally pulls over. Large group of responding officers detain driver and passenger.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to moped accident. Moped driver was bleeding from head. Paramedics respond to scene. Driver allegedly tested 0.23 on portable breathalyzer (almost three times legal limit).
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop. Deputies cite driver for driving without using seat belt and for expired registration.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputies respond to domestic dispute.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to fireworks complaint in residential area (fireworks are illegal in the city). Warning issued to homeowner.
  • Lafayette, La. — Amidst heavy winds as part of the remnants of Tropic Storm Barry (after eye of the storm passed over the city). Traffic stop; no license; license plate infraction. Female passenger with valid license told to drive vehicle home.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop. No permission for consensual search. Trooper requests K9 but none available. Trooper issues citations for seat belt violation and operating vehicle without possession of driver’s license.
  • Salinas, Cal. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “We saw that manning the front desk at a motel requires a whole set of skills — problem solving, being courteous, and apparently keeping a watchful eye on the complimentary breakfast buffet.” Nonguest who supposedly was stealing food from the breakfast room seen on security video allegedly hitting front desk clerk on the head while he was calling 911. Subject transported to hospital for panic attack treatment after which she will be cited for battery and other charges according to cops.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; illegal turn. Multiple teen occupants. Released with no charges.
  • Lafayette, La. — Officers in support of FD respond to storm-related fallen tree at residence. After being alerted by parole officer who was watching Live PD, cops return to home to arrest subject on probation or parole violation. Morris, Jr.: “It’s almost like that was a live ‘Wanted’ segment that actually ended in an arrest right in front of our eyes.”
  • Williamson County, Tex. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A chase involving two wheels and deputy Jason Johnston’s two feet.” Deputy attempts to detain bicyclist who was riding with no light and against traffic at night. Foot chase; subject detained at gunpoint and charge with evading and possible drug possession.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; no headlight.
  • Williamson County, Tex –– Traffic stop; erratic driving. Refused field sobriety test. Arrested for DUI. Abrams: “It is your right to refuse a field sobriety test, but there are consequences when you do it.”
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop; dirt bike. No plate, no mirrors, no insurance, no motorcycle endorsement on driver’s license. Released with warning.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A driver claimed that what looked like blood on his face was actually just sauce, and troopers agreed that he definitely was sauced.” Troopers respond to traffic accident. Driver with the word “health” on his T-shirt arrested for DUI. Driver in other vehicle thanked trooper for arresting her a year or two ago because it prompted her to get sober.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop. Driver declined consensual car search. K9 alert. Meth allegedly found.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to disturbance at carnival. Juveniles escorted out and banned for the rest of the weekend.
  • Lafayette, La. — Officers respond to another fallen tree on house (wind gusts in area were up to 75 MPH from the tropical storm). Collapsed power line still hot.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop (trooper claims amped-up driver acting like a “fish out of water”). Driver passed field sobriety. Consensual car search. Released with no charges.

Crime of the Week — Seminole, Fla.:

  • East Providence, R.I. — Traffic stop; driver detained for missed court date.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “It’s not often that a man will admit that having just ‘little stuff’ in his pants, but that was precisely the case for one Richland County man earlier.” Traffic stop; crossing over center line several times. Driver arrested for driving under suspension. Deputies allegedly find baggie of crack on driver’s person. Passenger detained for questioning.
  • Greene Country, Mo. — Traffic stop; truck was unregistered and allegedly stopped multiple times by law enforcement. Deputy searched female occupant who was on probation and allegedly found pipe. Female had non-extraditable warrant from another county. Vehicle search.
  • Lafayette, La. — Officers respond to storm party noise complaint at apartment complex and issue warning.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Traffic stop; tag light, lane-changing infraction (blinker not used). Deputies spot scale in glove box. Car search; open container. Driver tells female passenger that “We’re evidently on Live PD.” Passenger responds, “Won’t your daddy be so proud; he loves that show.”
  • Salinas, Cal. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A cyclist involved in a serious collision with an SUV with a surprising turn of events.”
  • Lafayette, La. — Traffic stop for curfew violation (9 p.m. due to storm). Officer intends to give verbal warning as long as driver as no warrants.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Trooper assists motorist who had large piece of rubber stuck under her car.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to unauthorized fireworks show in parking lot.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to shooting incident (three persons shot). Officers provide crowd control to prevent compromise of crime scene. Morris Jr.: “It’s a cauldron that is boiling and you got to keep the lid on it.”
  • Salinas, Cal. — Traffic stop; field sobriety test. Officer Mitchell to driver “You’re not gonna drive, bro; you’ve been drinking too much, bro.” End of episode.

Note: Lawrence Officer Charlie Kingery switched to the day shift, but he left this calling card for his fans: