Live PD is the ratings-winning law enforcement ride-along show that ordinarily airs 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. A Live PD recap follows below.

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.”

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, and criminal charges 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 some of the cops), 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.

Contraband plus no valid license/registration is usually an ill-advised combination as is contraband plus equipment malfunctions. Alleged drug traffickers who fail to abide by routine traffic laws or, as noted, don’t have working vehicle running lights can also wind up in big trouble following a probable cause search.

“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. In the alternative, subjects also often claim that drugs “belong to a friend.”

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 or warnings.

Several of the cops have become social media celebrities as a result of their participation in Live PD.

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 K-9 alert or consensual search. Moreover, no license, no registration, and no insurance consists of a trifecta in many of those stops.

Motorists sometimes claim to hold a valid driver’s license, but for some inexplicable reason, they aren’t carrying it with them. Or it was stolen.

Some, but not all, of the subjects 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 officers resolved a particular encounter, if at all.

As alluded to above, K-9s well trained in drug detecting and human tracking regularly assist cops in their investigations on Live PD.

This Week on ‘Live PD’

If you’re wondering what happened on Live PD this weekend, a recap of 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 Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin of the Tulsa, Okla., PD, provided studio commentary as usual.

By the way, with all his TV involvement, how long before Sticks puts in his retirement papers?

Again, please understand that what is depicted on the show, and summarized below including any arrests, constitutes mere allegations.

‘Live PD,’ Season 3, Episode 64, May 10, 2019

  • Salinas, Cal. — Officers pursue an ATV; search ongoing.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop; failure to use turn signal. One occupant had warrants; needle allegedly found on subject.
  • Lawrence, Ind. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “Officers attempted to pull over a driver and his two passengers, but it’s easier said than done.” Traffic stop for various infractions including mismatched plates; vehicle failed to stop. Occupants then bailed; foot chase followed. One occupant taken into custody for resisting law enforcement and other charges. He said he ran because everybody else ran. Two other occupants still at large.
  • Franklin County, Ohio — Traffic stop; expired tags, suspended license. Driver admits there is some marijuana in the car. Deputies issue citation for driving while suspended. Weed impounded.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Trooper spots car with lawnmower in open trunk stopped in the middle of the road. Abrams: “We’ve seen a lot of grass in the trunks of cars but not a lot of grass cutters. Trooper issues warning.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop; no front plate. One occupant has warrants. Deputy requests sergeant to bring portable fingerprint scanner to scene to identify female occupant who apparently did not provide her real name. K-9 deployed. Both parties arrested on warrants.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; failure to use turn signal. Probable cause car search. Officers find bags of marijuana, pills, lots of cash, and a firearm. Driver arrested for dealing and on other charges. Abrams: “So that’s a little carry-on and a little knapsack with some big bags inside; could be some big trouble.”
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; not using seat belts. Possibly no insurance.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “There was nothing funny about two women in a stolen car who said they were playing a joke on a friend.” Traffic stop; alleged stolen vehicle and fake stolen four-wheeler. Both vehicles impounded.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; running red light. No child restraint. No license.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies respond to car blocking roadway. Deputies find small amount of marijuana in car search. Ticket issued for possession.
  • Warwick, R.I. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A woman insisted on coming clean–literally.” Officers respond to report of woman allegedly running naked through hotel hallway.
  • Crime of the Week — Marion County, Fla. Hot pursuit of stolen truck. K-9 deployed after driver bailed. Morris, Jr.: Driver said he “wanted just one last cigarette.” Abrams: “The vehicle was stolen from a cemetery, and he was driving like he wanted to be brought right back there.”
  • Franklin County, Ohio — Deputies respond to accident; police cruiser hit by another vehicle. No injuries.
  • Warwick, R.I. — Traffic stop; running red light.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Troopers respond to accident.
  • Warwick, R.I. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A fight between two drivers in a parking lot was anything but low key.” Argument between supermarket customers; one car allegedly keyed.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop at Dairy Queen drive thru; no plates. DQ fan Deputy Rudderham issues warning.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Pursuit. Vehicle crash. Suspect arrested.
  • Wanted segment — Houston, Tex. (inchworm bandits). Separately, dude with 17 warrants from last week taken into custody.
  • Warwick, R.I. — Traffic stop; car search. Weed found.
  • Williamson County, Tex. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “Deputies discovered what allegedly were some hard drugs in a soft drink.” Traffic stop; no license plate lights. Deputies allegedly find a bag of cocaine (about 1/2 gram) in soda can. Under Texas law, suspect could be charged with full weight of liquid. However, he is just charged with possession.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; possible stolen vehicle. Subjects detained. Female driver claims she had permission. Troopers attempting to contact owner. Driver charged with unauthorized use of vehicle and no license. Male passenger released with no charges.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Traffic stop; vehicle apparently didn’t pull over immediately. Vehicle search. Passenger charged with unlawful carry and possession of stolen firearm.
  • Lawrence, Indiana — Traffic stop. Driver alleged admitted to consuming three beers. Passed field sobriety test; released with no charges.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Abrams: “For many, it’s a right of passage to get your license the day you turn legal. And there’s this guy.” Traffic stop; not wearing seat belt. “Pushing his luck” Driver apparently never had a license over the past 42 years. Trooper issues two citations; friend with valid license coming to scene to drive truck home.
  • Warwick, R.I. — Traffic stop; two scooters operating in breakdown lane. Allegedly not registered, no plates, and operators lack the proper license endorsement. Officer Jill Marshall issues warning to go directly home rather than towing the scooters. Abrams: “Getting scooters from New York…as if it’s like perfume from Paris.”
  • Williamson County, Tex. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Deputies attempted to pull over a stolen semi.” After detaining driver, deputies find a small amount of cocaine in his wallet. Probable cause truck search; nothing found. Driver arrested for possession of controlled substance and possession of stolen truck.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; deputies find vape pen. Subject claims it is only for CBD, which is legal. Pen contents allegedly tests positive for THC, which is a felony in Texas. Subject arrested.
  • Franklin County, Ohio — Deputies respond to alleged fight at residence over pizza. Deputy Crosby patiently tries to sort out this “pizza caper.”
  • Williamson County, Tex. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A driver gave deputies an excuse that would blow their minds, and the key word is blown.” Traffic stop for incorrect license plate lights. Open container K-9 deployed and K-9 alert. Probable cause search. Bag of powder allegedly tests positive for cocaine. Driver arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to report of shots fired at apartment complex. End of Live PD Episode 64.

Live PD,’ Season 3, Episode 65, May 11, 2019

  • Franklin County, Ohio — Deputies respond to highway accident.
  • Warwick, R.I. — Officer Jill Marshall responds to report of three goats on the loose.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Officers respond to subject allegedly doing drugs in his car. Subject, who says he sells cherries, allegedly has warrant. “Bushels” of cherries found in back of car. Officer Mitchell: “Instead of slinging meth, he’s slinging cherries to fund his drug addiction.” Abrams: “Those are some busted-up cherries, and sometimes life just is a bowl of cherries.” Morris, Jr.: “Lots of potential pies right there.”
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; no mud flaps, tinted front window. No license, no insurance. Abrams: “Why would he have a valid license?”
  • Lawrence, Ind. (pretaped segment): Police pursuit of driver who fled from traffic stop. Driver apparently had “stupid” warrant. Taken into custody.
  • Warwick, R.I. — Traffic stop, K-9 search. Suspect previously arrested. Car had PD tag hanging from mirror. Abrams: “Who knows if he’s a supporter of just a regular customer” of law enforcement.
  • Franklin County, Ohio — Deputies respond to noise complaint at Mother’s Day party.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputies respond to shots fired near creek.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Officers respond to report of fight in progress outside store.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Trooper spotted motorcyclist with no headgear. Okla. law requires goggles or glasses (but not helmet). Trooper issues three citations: operating without a license, no insurance, and no headgear. Motorcycle ordered towed.
  • Salinas, Cal. (pretaped segment): Officers pursue vehicle that would not pull over. Vehicle allegedly stolen. Subject charge with failure to yield, resisting arrest, possession of firearm, and other charges.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; tag issue.
  • Warwick, R.I. — Officers respond to a subject covered in blood from assault who knocked on homeowner’s door. Officers re-dispatched to car accident scene. No update provided on assault.
  • Franklin County, Ohio — Deputes respond to neighbor dispute involving alleged harassment.
  • Warwick, R.I. — As noted above, officers respond to bad accident.
  • Williamson County, Tex. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A driver seemed reluctant to provide identification and with good reason.” Traffic stop; headlight out. Driver says she doesn’t have license with her. Deputies determine she has multiple warrants. She is arrested and car towed.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; failure to signal. Deputy says occupants lit up cigarettes as a possible masking agent. Vehicle search. Passenger arrested for marijuana possession; driver released with no charges.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies respond to report of mother held at house against her will (no update, but allegation may be unfounded).
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; erratic driving. Driver says he had “two beers.” Field sobriety testing. Driver allegedly records .277 on portable breathalyzer (about three times legal limit).
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Troopers investigate alleged prowlers/squatters at abandoned school building.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Traffic stop; tail light violation. Consensual search.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies spotted suspicious person running away at apartment complex. Foot search.
  • Salinas, Cal. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A driver had plenty of excuses for crashing his girlfriend’s car–none of them particularly believable.” Officers respond to car accident. Field sobriety testing. Driver allegedly recorded .14 on portable breathalyzer. Arrested on suspicion of DUI. Driver allegedly admitted he rank spiked punch.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop; no plates. Deputies suspect car may have been involved in prior evading/fleeing incident(s). Female driver taken into custody for no license. Male passenger apparently has warrants. Morris Jr.: “That was quite a tongue-lashing she was giving those officers.” Abrams: “Captain American wouldn’t talk that way.” Update: Deputies find alleged stolen vehicle on property.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Abrams: “A report of a stolen car and inside some precious cargo.” Traffic stop; driver claims he borrowed car from friend. Puppy in car. Driver charged with unauthorized use of motor vehicle, driving under suspension. Car towed. Mom comes for puppy.
  • Wanted segment — Montgomery County, Md.
  • Franklin County, Ohio — Deputies attempt to serve warrant at residence for armed robbery. Deputies clear house; suspect not home.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; driving under the speed limit. “Slow rolling.”
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; deputies detect odor of marijuana. K-9 alert. Deputy allegedly observes a lot of marijuana residue inside vehicle. Car search but nothing found. Ticket issued.
  • Warwick, R.I. — Officers investigate vehicle that stopped in front of patrol car. Officer Steere indicates that car larcenies have occurred in the area. Everything is fine after speaking with occupants.
  • Missing segment — Dayton, Nev.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; erratic driving.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputy spotted wrong-way driver. Another slow roller. Apparently driver who is unfamiliar with area was relying on GPS. Motorist apparently released no charges.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; failure to yield, expired tags, brake light out. Yet another slow roller. Open container (driver allegedly was trying to hide vodka bottle.) Car search.
  • Franklin County, Ohio — Deputy spots man walking on highway.
  • Warwick, R.I. — Officers question two pedestrians. Male tried to walk away; officers took him down and handcuffed him.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers search for shooting suspect in apartment complex. Subject taken into custody. End of Episode 65.

Note: Live PD is on hiatus for two weeks. Fresh episodes return on May 31 with Warwick Officer Jill Marshall as guest analyst.