Live PD Returns from a Three-Week Hiatus

As it premieres Season 4, here’s what you missed on Live PD this weekend.

Live PD is the ratings-winning, three-hour law enforcement ride-along show that ordinarily airs fresh episodes on Friday and Saturday evenings (with occasional bonus episodes on other nights) 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. Fan favorites Williamson County, Texas, and Greene County, Mo. Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the Okla. Highway Patrol, are out int terms of live coverage (at least temporarily), while the Missoula County, Mont., Sheriff’s Office and the Tallahassee, Fla., PD join the show for the first time, and Tulsa PD returns.

The Missoulian outlines the advantages and disadvantages of Live PD for law enforcement:

“Live PD has proven a mixed bag for cities and counties featured on the hit reality-TV crime show. Some police departments and sheriff’s offices have touted increased recruitment and public support after being filmed and broadcast live to the nation. But others have seen lawsuits, increased officer danger and pushback from citizens who felt the show focused on the worst parts of their hometowns. The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office recently entered into a contract with Live PD…allowing the show unfettered access to its day-to-day operations. In a statement, MCSO said it was honored to be featured on the show beginning Sept. 20.

“But at least three jurisdictions have been sued by people filmed on the show, and others have reported impeded investigations, officers being distracted in dangerous situations, and negative publicity. Those issues are also accompanied by concerns of people being treated and portrayed as guilty, rather than allowing for a judge or jury to decide that, tarnishing the reputations of people falsely accused or acquitted.

“In Streetsboro, Ohio, a suburb of Akron, Police Chief Darin Powers eventually decided to end the contract with the show’s producer, Big Fish Entertainment, in 2018 after it began to cost the department money.

“Because filming crews were crowding the patrol cars, additional officers were needed to transport suspects, leading to manpower and overtime issues, Powers told the Columbus Dispatch at the time.”

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.)

A Live PD recap follows below. 

Live Plus Previously Recorded Incidents

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) who usually compiles and shares video clips from each episode on social media. Also thanks to the @LivePDFans Twitter feed.

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.

Don Cesareo, the founder and president of Live PD producer Big Fish Entertainment, told Deadline Hollywood that “Live PD is one of most enjoyable shows to produce because it’s such a challenge. We do a lot of prep work in terms of the field, but really what happens is that you show up on a Friday night and settle into the control room and all of the camera feeds come up and the show starts and we don’t have a run down and have three hours of TV to create. The easiest way to describe it is like having eight live breaking stories at the exact same time, but you don’t know all of the details. There’s an energy and controlled chaos that works.” According to Cesareo, “The show originated after he and his team came across police departments that were live tweeting patrols.” Cesareo also mentioned that another spinoff, America’s Top Dog, is coming this winter.

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, and Other Mantras

“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.

Separately on the subject of wardrobe, males who appear on Live PD often don’t take the time to put on a shirt even when a cop shows up at their front door.

“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, many of whom are impressively observant when they question subjects or investigate crime scenes, have become social media celebrities as a result of their participation in Live PD. Some of them may have a career in media or politics after they retire.

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, even officers are trying to talk with them or or even when getting cuffed.

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, Okla., PD Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin provide studio commentary. New Live Rescue host Matt Iseman also joined the trio at the anchor desk.

Live PD, Season 4, Episode 1, September 20, 2019

  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies on foot engage in surveillance of vehicle alleged involved in drug deal. Suspects may have been tipped off and “vaporized” according to Lt. Brown.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Officers respond to report of assault with rock. Officers check on victim for medical attention, investigate crime scene, and search for suspect.
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Capt. Bill Burt responds to report of suspicious person with rifle in abandoned ski area.
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officers respond to report of trespassing at school and find open door in band room. Larkin: “Believe it or not, schools are actually regularly burglarized because of computers and things like that or even vandalized by kids.”
  • Lafayette, La. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: Police there encountered two men on bikes who said they were just looking for some spare parts. But as always, there was more to the story.” Suspects arrested for breaking and entering of a business.
  • Lafayette, La. — Officers makes well-being check on pregnant women Officer allegedly smells marijuana and sees marijuana on her shirt. Probable cause vehicle search. Driver released with no charges.

Salinas, Cal. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A hit and run involving an RV, a tree, and a fire hydrant.” Driver arrested for parole violation, DUI, and hit and run. Abrams: “At least he didn’t try the ‘I was just having a few drinks at home’ [excuse].”

  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers and FD respond to unresponsive male. Apparent OD; Narcan administered. Subject transported to hospital.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Deputies encountered a driver with a baby on board as well as some items that weren’t exactly diapers and bottles.” Deputies respond to suspicious vehicle outside of business. Deputies allegedly detect odor of marijuana. Probable cause search; gun and drugs found. One year old in back seat. Two suspects arrested for on multiple gun and drug charges; one man charged with child endangerment. Relative came to scene for baby.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Traffic stop, truck.
  • Tulsa, Okla. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “Police tracked down a team of suspected teen burglars who apparently had been more than clowning around.” Officers respond to burglary in progress. Several suspects detained in backyard of residential neighborhood. Gun and clown mask found in backpack. Suspects arrested on burglary and firearms charges. Suspects were already convicted felons as juveniles. Abrams: “And these are kids with long rap sheets.” Morris, Jr.: “Multiple felonies and the fact that they’re caught like this with a gun in the commission of a burglary meas that they are definitely not learning from anything that’s happened in the past.”
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; headlights off. Driver released with no charges.
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officers investigate report of possible prowler who kicked open gate at residence.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Officers respond to report of underage “sweet 16” party at motel. Kids sent home; motel “terminated contract” with adult party who rented room.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; crush bumper, taillights out. Officer tells driver to head home with hazard lights on. Morris, Jr.: “Some kind of lights he just jury-rigged onto the trunk.”
  • East Providence, R.I. — Traffic stop on truck. Officers allegedly detects marijuana odor. Driver allegedly admits to having marijuana. Probable cause search. Driver had marijuana card and was allowed to keep the weed. Cited for lane violation only.
  • Lafayette, La. — Officer questions two men allegedly loitering in parking lot.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies detain several subjects at gas station for crack pipe. During the stop, a man shows up at gas station on four wheeler and bails. Foot chase ensues. Iseman: “That reaction, the way he fled, he did not want to be on Live PD tonight.” Subject arrested. Four wheeler hot wired, and deputies anticipate it was probably stolen. Lt. Brown comments that illegal four wheelers have been “rampaging” neighborhoods prompting residential complaints.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Traffic stop on customized car; tag lights out. Driver released with no charges. Abrams: “He’s got a little planetarium with lights inside his car and yet he can’t get the light on the back of his car working.”
  • Crime of the Week segment — Greenfield, Wisc.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Traffic stop; speeding. Driver allegedly admitted to having marijuana. K9 deployed but no alert. Driver received citation for weed and released. Abrams: “So K9 Chico there gets an opportunity to smell some sweaty football equipment and that’s about it.”
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Traffic stop; headlight out.
  • Greene County, Mo. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Deputies encountered two kids playing with some hot wheels, but not the kind you expect.” Deputy Flora to kids: “Do you want the good news or the bad news?…There is no good news” (no license, no plate, no lights, ran stop sign, probably uninsured). Dad arrested for receiving stolen property (motorcycle). Abrams: “Well, that is not good luck for that guy because the kids decided to take a little joy ride.”
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Officers respond to report of armed robbery at apartment complex. Officers interview victims and extensively search areas for suspects. One suspect arrested.
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officers respond to alleged burglary suspect who won’t come out of trailer. Officers unable to convince occupants to cooperate. Vehicle containing alleged stolen property towed. Arrest warrants, if any, to be issued later if necessary.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to report of assault outside pizza parlor. Restaurant owners decline press charges but want to sign trespass notice against subject prohibiting his return. Abrams: “Well, he certainly seemed ‘sauced’ at that pizzeria.”
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Traffic stop on truck at gas station. No taillights or dash lights.
  • Missing segment — Missoula, Mont.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; van ran red light. Passenger taken into custody on outstanding warrant.
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officers respond to report of fight at fraternity house.
  • Lawrence, Ind. –– Traffic stop; non-use of turn signal. Driver had AK in card. Weapon turned out to be legal. Driver released with no charges. End of episode.

Live PD, Season 4, Episode 2, September 21, 2019

  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies subdue suspect after brief foot pursuit. Deputies allegedly find 28 grams of crack and a large amount of cash.
  • Greene County, Mo. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Deputies recovered a stolen car along with one thing you probably don’t want to leave behind if you’re a car thief.” Fleeing driver hit ditch and bailed on foot from disabled vehicle. Driver allegedly left wallet in car. Suspect arrested shortly thereafter.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; vehicle ran red light. Suspended license, open container, expired tags. Officer apparently issued just one ticket for the light violation.
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Vehicle assist on side of highway. Couple apparently were arguing; possible domestic incident.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Traffic stop; erratic driving. Teen driver. Abrams: “‘The I’m a crummy and inexperienced driver’ defense.”
  • Lawrence Ind. — Traffic stop. Driver claims he is a “sovereign citizen.” No license; two guns in vehicle. Items possibly tossed out of window.

Lafayette, La. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A fight between a mom and her son over the family truck grew more than a bit ‘tiresome.'” Domestic dispute; son slashed tire. Mom declines to press charges as long as son installs spare and reconnects battery which he does as officers stand by.

  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officer called to convenience store on report of man pushing woman in shopping cart. Cops warn the homeless couple that they are trespassed (i.e., subject to a trespass notice) from store and told to leave area. Graphic: “All sales final.”
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Officers investigate vandalism at dog grooming business.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to report of burglary in progress. After canvasing area, they find house with door kicked in and loose pit bull. Officers search neighborhood for suspect as well as clearing residence.
  • Lafayette, Ind. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A guy is pulled over just hours after buying a new motorcycle, and from there, well, things pretty much went downhill.” Traffic stop on motorcycle for speeding. According to officers, subject is a known narcotics user. K9 alert on backpack. Various drugs found. Subject arrested for possession with intent to distribute.
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Deputies respond to report at shots fired at residence(s) in mountainous area. Mother and son allegedly involved. Deputies assemble and discuss how they will approach both residence. Live PD subsequently loses video feed. See update below.
  • Lafayette, La. — Traffic stop; erratic driving. Driver has a license but it is “not on her.” Officer spots crack pipe in plain view (in bra). Probable cause car search.
  • Wanted segment — Greene County, Mo. re unsolved murder. Also, a new show, Live PD Wanted, hosted by Morris Jr., will be the latest spinoff to air.
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officers warn man who has a pending domestic case to leave area where girlfriend lives.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond of man throwing knives in his own room. The dad apparently called to the cops, but this is not a police issue. Abrams: “I hope they owned that house, and it’s not a rental.”
  • Lawrence, Ind. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A case of whodunit and where did it happen after a young man was shot in the the leg” at an apartment complex. Officers respond and search neighborhood for shooter. It turns, however, that the alleged victim shot himself with his own gun.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies investigate situation involving large crowd at gas station. Deputies search car after what Lt. Brown calls “furtive movements.” Guns found in center console area. Car is rental and is towed. Alleged driver (at least the individual who had the keys) arrested gun-related charges. Subject is allegedly a convicted felon. Lt. Brown: “Two more guns off the street.”
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to report of drunk man at liquor store. Subject had already left on foot when cops arrived. They searched nearby apartment complex area and detain subject who apparently matched the description.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Traffic stop; according to cops, driving has eight outstanding traffic warrants. Girlfriend who was passenger has no license. Cops allow friend has a valid license to drive car home.
  • Missing segment — Bridgeton, N.J.
  • Lafayette, La. — Traffic stop; improper turn. Driver allegedly gave middle finger to cut before he pulled over. Officer detects marijuana odor. Probable cause car search.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to report of man passed out on stairs. Abrams: “A different kind of 12-stop program.” Insp. Sroka obtains apartment key from man’s mom (who is visiting another apartment) to let him in her apartment so he can sleep it off.
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Deputies investigate alleged criminal mischief at several locations that seems involve a vehicle that struck a car and a trailer.
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officers respond to what may or may not be a fight between fraternity brothers. Morris, Jr.: “Who you gonna believe? The drunk guy who wanted to be punched in the face or the guy who said ‘it wasn’t a punch in the way you think it was’?”
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Deputies had their hands full, literally, with a passenger who was practically spitting made.” Traffic stop; improper turn. Deputies detect marijuana odor. Probable cause car search. Weed and crack allegedly found found. Driver and passenger arrested.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to noise complaint at birthday party and ask residents to keep it down.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Foot and car chase of passenger in highway traffic stop who ran. Subject detained. Officers presume subject has warrants.
  • Williamson County, Tex. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Deputies tried to pull over two guys who did not want to stop moving — literally.” Truck hauling a packed trailer is a slow roller when deputies try to effect traffic stop. Vehicle does finally stop. K9 deployed, but no alert. Driver has traffic warrant; passenger doesn’t have valid license. Moving company boss notified to take possession of the truck and deliver the load to customer. Iseman: “It did not look professionally packed in the back.” Abrams: “You don’t think the insurance on the moving is going to be adequate?” Morris, Jr.: “Maybe the trailer blocked the rear view mirror so he didn’t see that the police were behind him.”
  • Missoula County, Mont. Update — Feed resumed in the shots fired call. Det. Mike Sunderland questions the mother (and the son). Sunderland: “Since you’re the mom, you can put them in timeout when we’re done here, but when we have guns in play, and people are drinking, we take that very serious, and we need to figure it out.” As the show ends, it appears that the mom could be the alleged instigator. Hopefully Live PD and/or the Sheriff’s Office will provide an update next Friday or on social media before then.