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. 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 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 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 claims that the pants that they are wearing in which cops find 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, 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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 Tulsa PD Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin provide studio commentary as usual.

‘Live PD,’ Season 3, Episode 68, June 7, 2019

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

  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Cops respond to report of man brandishing a handgun at Walmart. Item was apparently a BB gun. Subject arrested for violating prior trespass order. Possible outstanding warrants.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; expired tags. Slow rolling to stop. No consent to search. K9 deployed. According to Lt. Kennedy, scales, baggies, and narcotics found in car. Marijuana allegedly found in passenger’s underwear. Bottle of “fetish urine” found. Graphic: “Urine trouble.” Morris Jr.: “There was a time n America when gas stations only sold gas and oil, chips and soda. Apparently those days are long gone.” Deputies make two felony arrests; car impounded.
  • East Providence, R.I. — traffic stop for running stop sign; verbal warning.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Cops respond to suspicious individuals outside of closed home under renovation. Trio said they have owner’s permission. One subject had ankle monitor and broken collarbone. EMS called.
  • Lawrence, Ind. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “We saw a wild pursuit and with a different kind of rollover.” Attempted traffic stop for failure to use turn signal. Vehicle fled police. Driver detained with PIT maneuver arrested for felony evading. He claimed that female passenger put gun to his head. Female alleges that he may havedrugs in fat rolls, but no drugs found on his person in hospital. No gun found; female passenger released. K9 alert, but no drugs found in vehicle; car impounded.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputy heard loud crash and responded to two-car accident; no injuries.
  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Officers respond to possible residential burglary. They thoroughly cleared home; no intruders found.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; El Camino with brake light out.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Vehicle assist; motorist ran out of gas. Abrams: “Sometimes police work involves just helping out.”
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; truck with brake light out and dim tail lights. No license.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Cops respond to multiple injury, chain-reaction accident including hit and run investigation. One driver on suspended licensed.
  • Crime of the Week, Los Angeles Cal: A “doozy” of a police chase, stolen RV with two dogs.
  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Cops question pedestrian holding stick. Man released without stick.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A guy was pulled over for having a damaged windshield. It turns out that was the least of his problems.” Traffic stop; pickup truck. No insurance. Trooper indicated that driver has drug priors. Vehicle search. Marijuana and meth allegedly found. Driver arrested for intent to distribute. Car impounded. Animal control took custody of dog.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Abrams: “This is literally a ‘holy cow’ situation.” Deputies respond to calf on loose next to road outside ranch fencing. Calf finally goes back through fencing.
  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Officers respond to suspicious car report.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Traffic stop; tinted windows. Officer spotted open container apparently belonging to one or more passengers. Driver had ignition interlock fro DUI probation. Vehicle search. Cops gave them a break; warning for open beer only. Abrams: “Are we not going to talk about the fact that the person has a beer tap as a gear shift as well?”
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; tail light out on van. Suspended license. Driver arrested. Cops say he is a felony habitual traffic offender; licensed previously revoked for life. Vehicle towed.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Traffic stop; no plates. Driver allegedly admits to drug paraphernalia. Vehicle search. Driver cited for no license and failure to register.
  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Officers spotted two guys fighting over dogs.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “What sounded like the plot of a horror film involving a stolen car, razor blades, and a guy named Chuckie.” Traffic stop; alleged stolen vehicle. Suspect arrested for unlawful use of vehicle. Morris Jr. “I have a feeling that it was some rock candy that he might have been going to get which is why he needed a razor blade.”
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; swerving car. No door on front passenger side. Graphic: “Open door policy.” Driver arrested for felony possession of THC oil and possibly cocaine possession.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Deputies respond to fight in progress in middle of street. Subsequently called off.
  • Sante Fe, N.M. — Cops respond to shoplifting reports. Store declines to press charges. Suspect gave cops another name.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A domestic call involving an ex who didn’t seem to fully understand the meaning of a restraining order.”
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; truck. No seat belt use.
  • Wanted segment, Williamson County, Tex.:
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Cops respond to report of shots fired at apartment complex.
  • Fayetteville, N.C. — Abrams: “Officers tracked down a man on the run after a campus robbery.”
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; open container.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; occupant allegedly admitted to drug paraphernalia. K9 deployed; car search. Small amount of weed found. Cited and released.
  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Cops respond to house party at abandoned building. No charges; participants told to disperse.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop. No license. Abrams: “It is a claim that we have heard on this show before: ‘Those are not my pants.'” Cops find white powder. Driver arrested for possession. Abrams: “If the pants don’t fit, you must acquit.”
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Cops respond to report of disturbance at residence between two men. Abrams: “The one piece of evidence that I spotted was all those empty beer cans in the garbage.” Morris, Jr.: “It’s easy to see why the cat wanted to get out of there.” No charges.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; motorist going 40 MPH on flat tire. Trooper detects strong odor of alcohol. Field sobriety test. Portable breathalyzer administered.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Bicyclists detained. Male had starter pistol and drugs allegedly on person. End of episode.

‘Live PD,’ Season 3, Episode 69, June 8, 2019

  • Salinas, Cal. – Missing child search in park. Four-year-old found safe.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Van driving with door open next to passenger. Trooper gives safety warning.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; illegal turn, obstructed brake lights. Abrams: “I’m not sure if that’s a car or a spaceship.” Deputy isues warning for wide turn.
  • Greene County, Mo. — Deputies respond to report of people living in camper on private property. Morris, Jr.: “Now he knows; he’s got to go.”
  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Woman on way to hospital who is feeling ill ran out of gas. EMS called t the scene.
  • Salinas, Cal. (pretaped segment) — “A suspect filled with regret not for what he did but more for what he didn’t do before being arrested.” Officers pursue stolen vehicle. Suspect bailed; detained after foot pursuit. Suspect arrested on stolen vehicle charge and resisting arrest.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputies respond to car parked behind closed business. Deputies detect marijuana odor. K9 alert; probable cause search. Large knife and weed found.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol –Traffic stop; no break light. No license. Meth allegedly found. Driver arrested on suspicion of drugs. Abrams: “Maybe some real life kryptonite right there.”
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; turn signal violation. Warning only.
  • Wanted segment — Denver Colo.:
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Van breaks down under bridge. Det. Luera offers to push car into nearby gas station.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Traffic stop on pickup truck; expired tags.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A potentially dangerous situation involving a love triangle and an overprotective father.” Deputies respond to stabbing call; large knife found. One subject arrested.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to disturbance at hotel.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; K9 alert. Car search.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol (pretaped segment) — Traffic stop; alleged reckless driver with baby in back with no car seat. “Trust me; I’m not drunk.” Driver arrested for child endangerment, DUI, and other traffic violations. Baby transported to grandmother’s home.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Traffic stop; modified exhaust. Officer Muscutt: “This car has all the makings of a set up for illegal street racing.” Ticket issued with warning to remove mods.

Missing update — Rapid City, S.D.:

  • Williamson County, Tex. — Traffic stop; no brake light. “Old school baton” and legal gun found. Occupants released with no charges.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; mismatched plates, plates expired. Open container. Tickets issued.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers spot vehicle in parking lot after hours. Released; no charges.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; vehicle allegedly swerving all over road. Driver passed field sobriety test; cited for no license. Vehicle towed.
  • Williamson County, Tex. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A woman said she had everything in her car and apparently she wasn’t kidding.” Traffic stop; reckless driving. K9 alert; probable cause search. Deputies allegedly find drug paraphernalia, ledger book, cash, and a firearm. Driver arrested for drug possession and on other charges.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to an alleged fight at Walmart.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Officer Muscutt spotted a car that had been cited earlier that day for smog violation. Warned motorist that the car would be impounded next time.
  • Willamson County, Tex. — Deputies respond to report of shots fired in residential neighborhood. Turns out it was just fireworks.
  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Cops respond to report to child hit by ATV. Apparently a stationary 4-wheeler rolled over six-year-old. Fortunately, the child is fine with only minor bruises.
  • Okla. Highway Patrol — Traffic stop; headlight out. No license. Driver had warrant and was arrested at scene.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to domestic incident between two roommates.
  • Salinas, Cal. — Cops respond to reckless driving report; truck not maintaining lanes. Police pursuit; high-risk traffic stop. DUI investigation; open container found. Driver charge with felony evading. Driver’s license apparently previously suspended, and he was supposedly on probation for two previous DUIs.
  • Greene County, Mo. (pretaped segment): “Deputy Connell pulled over a man with the words ‘born to raise hell’ tattooed on across his back as well as some literal crap on his arms.” Traffic stop; failure to maintain lane. Marijuana seized and destroyed. Driver released with no charges.
  • Salinas, Cal. (pretaped segment) — Car accident; 4-year-old boy suffers cut on head. EMS responds to scene to transport boy to hospital. Everyone else okay.
  • Williamson County, Tex. — Deputies respond to possible hostage situation at restaurant.
  • Santa Fe, N.M. — Cops respond to report of parent and child allegedly smoking narcotics. End of show.

Live PD returns on Wednesday, June 12, at 8 p.m. Eastern time with a bonus episode.