This Weekend’s On Patrol: Live Highlights, Commentary, and Social Media Activity

An On Patrol: Live recap, including NYC studio host Dan Abrams’ puns, analysis, and banter usually with co-anchor Curtis Wilson (a Richland County, S.C., deputy sheriff), and a rotating third panelist, along with the often-snarky or playful social media reaction, follows.

Dep. Wilson has another commitment this weekend, so Ofr. Ryan Tillman (Chino, Calif., PD) and Cpt. Tom Rizzo (Howell Township, N.J, PD) both return to the show as guest analysts in the studio.

For background information about On Patrol: Live (i.e., Live PD 2.0), that airs on the Reelz channel (which is available on the Peacock and FreeCast streaming services), click here.

Agency updates: Coweta County, Ga. exits OPL. The Robeson County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office is a new agency on the show that debuts on Friday night. Contrary to expectations, Hazen, Ark., PD is not returning to the show this weekend.

Coweta County Sheriff

Please review this important DISCLAIMER.

On Patrol: Live Summary for May 31, 2024 (#OPL Episode 02-79)

  • Richland County, S.C. — Before backup arrives, Master Dep. Braylyn Salmond makes contact with and attempts to detain a noncompliant man in an intense confrontation in which his wife or girlfriend gets involved. “I’m not doing sh*t…I didn’t do nothing, bro.” Female: “I love the new you.” Salmond warns the man that he risks being tased if he doesn’t comply. “Relax, bro.” Heavy bleeping. Car search.

“Why would you act like that over a little bit of shake?”

Dep. Salmond explanation: “So this area is notorious for drugs, all types of different narcotics…[unintelligible] love to sit back here behind the store, so when we drove by, I saw there’s a good amount of people out here. They said they were waiting on getting a haircut. Talked to the gentleman in the front seat of this car, and the smell of marijuana coming from the car. So that allows for a probable cause search, and then the gentleman started resisting and acting all weird. He said he threw a blunt somewhere over here…So he said he had some shake in his hand; shake is like a street term for a small amount of marijuana. So, we just want to make sure there’s nothing else in here…let’s make sure there’s no more illegal narcotics in this car.” Dep. Salmond also wonders why “would you act like that over a little bit of shake?”

OPL host Dan Abrams: “I’m less concerned about the drug aspect of this and more about the issue when Braylyn Salmond is there alone with him, and he’s initially not complying. Take us into the mind of the officer.” Guest analyst Cpt. Tom Rizzo: “It’s instant. The longer this goes, the worse things go, right? We have to control it. Sometimes that might look hard and fast. Compliance is key. He’s not getting it, and now as you’re seeing, more people are coming around. There’s no way one officer can control all of those people or predict what their intentions may be.” Abrams: “And look, it seems in this case he was concerned about his clothes, right? Getting dirty, which is fine. It’s just, again, from the officer’s perspective, he’s seeing the touching, the feeling around, et cetera. Doesn’t know.” Guest analyst Ofr. Ryan Tillman: “Well, there are so many other clues there, too. He’s looking around. He’s doing other hand gestures. He’s trying to keep him away from certain things. So he’s saying it’s the clothes, but quite honestly, I think there could be something more to it. Abrams: “All right, we shall see. But this is the new him, so keep that in mind. This is the better version of him.” Rizzo: Freshly dressed.” Tillman: “In Burberry.”

Dep. Salmond explains to the subject why he is detained. The man is apparently subsequently released.

  • BOLO segment — West Jackson, Miss., car jacker.
  • Lee County, Fla. — Dep. Mike Knapp conducts a traffic stop on a slow roller who pulls into his driveway for an alleged seize tag order and a seatbelt. The driver is initially argumentative: “I don’t know why you’re pulling me over.” The driver is subsequently released with citations.

Fontana, Calif. — The OPL cameras focus on a large turtle “speaking of slow rolls.” Caption: “Outpacing the hare.” Ofr. Tillman: “You could sell tickets to ride that thing.”

  • Fontana, Calif. (pre-recorded segment) — Ofr. Joe Richard and other units detain two men in a residence driveway in connection with an alleged stolen truck investigation. “You carry a screwdriver in your pocket from Uber?” The owners get their truck back. Ofr. Richard summary: “Multiple arrests that are going to be made right now. He’s gonna be going for possession of a stolen vehicle and taking the vehicle without consent. We’re also probably gonna add on possession of methamphetamine for sales. He’s also gonna be going for possession of a stolen vehicle because he was in passenger seat. And for her, she’s gonna be cited out for possession of methamphetamine on a person. Abrams: “The driver is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. The male passenger released no charges. The woman in the sedan was charged with possession of a controlled substance.”
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Traffic stop. Ofr. Roger Lawson deploys K9 Ali to sniff around the car. Ofr. Lawson: “Obviously, when we run the dog, nobody can be inside, so we have everybody exit. They be frustrated if they want, but like I said, we do this in every traffic stop, so happens all the time.” Abrams update: “The K9 did not alert there. The driver was issued a citation for tinted windows, and that’s it.”
  • Fontana, Calf. — Ofrs. Samuel Saenz and Victor Reyes investigate a report of an alleged drunk uncle. Ofr. Reyes takes a noncompliant subject to the ground. Paramedics summoned who place the man on a gurney and transport him to the hospital for an evaluation. Ofr. Reyes recap: “…He got very aggressive with me. He pulled away. Didn’t know if he had any weapons on him…I didn’t want to take any chances. And I just took him to the ground. He continued resisting, put his hands in front of his waistband. Again, I don’t know what he’s got there…it is what it is. It was a small use of force, but at least he’s in custody. We’re gonna go back and see exactly what it is that happened over at the apartment.”

Ofr. Saenz commentary: “Trying to figure out what happened over here. But it seems like there was a struggle between [unintelligible] and my partner…and we’re gonna to have medical attention evaluate him and contact the supervisor and let him know what occurred.” Saenz adds that the subject allegedly “pulled a knife out on one of our partners recently…Officer Reyes obviously has prior knowledge of what he’s capable of and what he’s done, so definitely glad he’s on this call with me.” Ofr. Reyes suggests to a family member who had originally called police to consider applying for a restraining order on the subject.

  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Cpl. Bryson Fowler conducts a traffic stop for a tag light violation and a cracked windshield. The driver allegedly has a suspended license. He is subsequently released with no charges.
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. (pre-recorded segment) — Cops converged outside in front of an apartment door in connection with a search for fleeing suspect. They enter the apartment. The suspect has a knife to his throat; one of the officers manages to de-escalate the situation. The suspect is detained after he puts down the knife.

Ofr. Carlos Queliz summary: “He came out to the living room with a knife. He pointed the knife at his neck and then at his heart. He said, he will have to kill him. We don’t want to do that, obviously. Eventually, he gave up the knife upon contact with him, talking to him. So he’s gonna be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He’s gonna be charged with a domestic battery and also resisting.” Abrams: “So they obviously were able to de-escalate that situation. But…this is someone who first is suspected of very serious crimes, and then immediately they have to shift and try to prevent him from harming himself.” Cpt. Rizzo: “Which is why I’m such a huge proponent of a skill base for a police officer to be a good communicator. That was all about communication skills. Again, a job has to be done; he has to be apprehended and arrested for the charges, but there’s no win there if that person hurts themselves. So a win all around directly attributed to their communication skills.” Abrams: “And the officers’ keeping a distance too, right? Remaining behind that shield. You heard him instruct them, ‘hey, stay behind the shield.'” Ofr. Tillman” “So he’s communicating with both, right? His team and the suspect. Communication is one of the most valuable tools in law enforcement, and so If you can do it well, you’ll have results like that.”

“Communication is one of the most valuable tools in law enforcement,”

  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Cpl. Fowler initiates a traffic stop on car parked in front of a vacant residence. Two occupants. Fowler: “Playing hide the pickle.” The driver and passenger are released with a warning to move along after a license check.

In bantering about the incident, Ofr. Tillman jokes that “it’s Friday night, but we didn’t see the pickle, so I don’t know.” Abrams quips that “that was the kosher comment…cop blocked there.”

“Playing hide the pickle.”

  • Fontana, Calif. (pre-recorded segment) — In a foot chase, Ofr. Richard pursues a teenager standing next to a car who ran from police. The subject is detained. “I didn’t do nothing, bro…I didn’t throw nothing.”

Ofr. Richard summary: “We’re just gonna let the minor go for now. Just give him a warning. Be in the area, check for that Mercedes, and then from there, hopefully we can find him…” Abrams: “Officer Richard eventually tracked down the Mercedes that fled, pulled it over, found nine small baggies of cocaine and a large amount of cash. The driver was charged with possession with intent to distribute it. As we were watching that, Captain Rizzo, you were saying, very often there are situations where there’s a plan.” Rizzo: “Yeah, sure. It could be a potential where, ‘hey, if anybody rolls up on us, you go ahead and be a decoy. You go ahead and get away and distract the police officer’s attention while your package goes down the road in the car.’ Tillman: “Also known as taking one for the team.” Rizzo: “That’s it.”

  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Ofr. Keith Foreman and other cops are dispatched to a reported drive-by shooting at an apartment complex and canvas the area for suspects.

Listen to Ofr. Foreman discussing the ongoing investigation:

  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Cpl. Devonte Carr initiates a traffic stop on a scooter or a moped. The driver denies having any contraband.
  • Triple Play #1 — Dayton, Ohio, pursuit following a traffic stop.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Dep. Salmond interacts with some frolicsome teens who are tossing eggs at each other. The deputy tells the youngsters to move along. “They’re shooting a documentary; take it somewhere else.” Captions: “Very egg-citing,” “Dozen make sense.”
  • Robeson County, N.C. — Sgt. Branston Collins conducts a traffic stop; the driver allegedly admits to an open container, but no weed. Collins has the driver sit next to him in the squad car while interacting with him. Abrams: “We’ve seen this with a few departments, a person sitting in the front seat with the officer.” Tillman: “Yeah, very interesting.” Rizzo: “It’s not traditional, but as an interdiction tactic, if you feel safe enough, you have the training and experience, make sure the person’s not armed, at least from a quick pat first, and put them in the front of the car while you have that dialogue.” Tillman: “Also show cultures are different in law enforcement from coast to coast.” Abrams update: “The guy was cited for an open container; that is it.”
  • Berkeley County, S.C. (pre-recorded segment) — Cpl. Devante Smith conducts a traffic stop on a vehicle for allegedly running a stop sign, a turn signal infraction, and for a cracked windshield. The deputy claims that the driver “is shaking tremendously.” He also indicates that he smells weed. Two occupants. Car search. Meth and drug paraphernalia allegedly found. One of the occupants is apparently arrested for possession.
  • Richland County, S.C. — Dep. Salmond, with Cpl. Smith and another unit as backup, conducts a traffic stop. The driver, whose license is allegedly suspended, denies having any drugs in the car. Voluntary car search. According to Dep. Salmond, drug paraphernalia found. Salmond: “They’re passing the blame for the [paraphernalia] on somebody who’s not here,” possibly the owner of the car. They are subsequently released with no charges.
  • Toledo, Ohio — Ofrs. Lindsey Erhart and Brooke Janowiecki, among others, respond to an assault call. An older male outside a residence is bleeding from the head area where he was punched. Paramedics transport the victim to the hospital. Ofr. Erhart or Janowiecki: They “had gotten into an argument, and she assaulted him with something, and he hurt his head. He’s gonna be going to the hospital. Fire says that he’s probably gonna need some stitches. So right now, we’re gonna see if we can track her down and make sure that he gets the medical care that he needs.”
  • Triple Play #2 — Lancaster, N.H., convenience store disturbance. Abrams: “This one is what you might call a ‘crime of convenience.'” Cpt. Rizzo reacting to the footage: “That’s dedication.”
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Ofr. Lawson and other units conduct a traffic stop on a car that allegedly fled from police before. K9 Ali is deployed but does not alert. Ofr. Lawson: “In the state of Florida, if you have a medical marijuana card, you can obviously possess marijuana. His medical marijuana card did come back valid, so that negates our probable cause to search a vehicle based off of marijuana smell. However, K-9 Ali, during his process of learning narcotics, was never put on marijuana. Thus, we’re able to conduct the open air sniff of the exterior of the vehicle. He’s not gonna sit on marijuana, so if he does sit, or alert, I should say, it’s something else.”

Ofr. Lawson recap: “The guy’s clean. The sniff of the exterior of the vehicle is negative, did not alert, which also kind of proves the fact that K-9 Ali doesn’t alert to marijuana since we know that there’s marijuana in that vehicle Just kind of backs up the fact that he’s not proofed on that, or I should say, proofed off of it, so. we’re gonna get the passenger identified and send them on their way.”

  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Cpl. Carli Drayton and colleagues investigate a report of someone having a gun in a parking lot. Four males, two each in separate cars, are detained. A small amount of weed is found in of the vehicles during a car search. The subjects are subsequently released with no charges.
  • Indian River County, Fla. — Dep. Brandon McKenzie tries to catch up with a motorcycle on a report of alleged drunk, erratic, or reckless driving. The bike that is allegedly going 100-plus mph gets away (“yeah, he’s flying”) but McKenzie subsequently spots a bike in a driveway that he thinks might be the one. The motorcycle owner at the residence says he was sleeping, and thus he is not the subject who McKenzie is looking far.
  • Lee County, Fla. (pre-recorded segment) — Dep. Lawrence Bermudez makes contact with an alleged unruly hotel guest and informs an argumentative subject that he is trespassed from the location.
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Ofrs. Foreman, Lawson, and other units are on a foot pursuit of a subject wanted on a felony warrant. In the end, the subject is still at large. Ofr. Foreman: “I saw him walking; as I flipped around and put my lights on, and he took off running. He jumped this fence right here. I’m not jumping that fence; there’s a bunch of dogs…so I don’t want to get bit by a dog. I didn’t jump it…” The officer adds that K9s have been deployed in the search. He subsequently adds that “We’re gonna try to get a drone in the area. This homeowner right here is not willing to let us get a dog in, try to go around the house, so [unintelligible] these other resources to try to see if we can get this guy.”

Ofr. Lawson summary: “So unfortunately, there’s just too much, too many circumstances now, that we’re not able to put the dog out. There’s no telling where this guy went. He could be in a house, he could be laid down, but I don’t think he’s sticking around. Obviously, the entirety of the track is through this guy’s backyard that he’s just walked around, and/or through this yard, which he’s also just walked around.” Ofr. Foreman adds that “We set up a pretty good perimeter, and there’s no drone available, and we couldn’t utilize our K9 because the homeowner of the house he jumped had his dog loose and he doesn’t want to put his dog up to cooperate with us….”

  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies conduct a traffic stop. Two occupants, one of whom is an Only Fans model and who proceeds to promote her platform and also twerks for the OPL cameras. Weed allegedly found during car search.
  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Cpl. Carr and other units search a residential area for an alleged reckless driver who fled on foot.
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. — Ofr. Lawson is flagged down by a man whose car was just stolen and commences an investigation.
CLICK HERE for the OPL 02-80, June 1, 2024, recap.
CLICK HERE for information about the pending OPL lawsuit.