‘Live PD’ canceled in wake of report
Footage of black man’s death in 2019 destroyed
A&E canceled “Live PD“Wednesday, one day after Paramount Network took similar action against “Cops,” another reality series that follows on-duty police. Both decisions were made in the aftermath of protests over George Floyd‘s killing while in police custody May 25.
A&E’s move came one day after it acknowledged “Live PD,” which premiered in 2016 and was in its fourth season, had destroyed video of a black man’s death during a police stop in 2019 in Texas.
A&E issued a statement to USA TODAY explaining its decision to pull the show, while leaving the door open to future programming that involves police.
“This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on ‘Live PD,’ “the statement said. “Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them. And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments.”
Monday, the Austin AmericanStatesman, which is part of the USA TODAY Network, and KVUE-TV reported details of the death of Javier Ambler II, a black man who was arrested by sheriff ’s deputies in Williamson County, Texas, in March 2019 in connection with a traffic violation. The story reported that a “Live PD” crew filmed the incident.
“Live PD” and “Cops,” which feature real police on the streets, have come under scrutiny in the wake of Floyd’s death.
A&E confirmed Tuesday that “video of the tragic death of Javier Ambler was captured by body cams worn on the officers involved as well by the producers of ‘Live PD’ who were riding with certain officers involved.”
The network said the unaired video was destroyed after a police investigation ended.
“Live PD” and “Cops,” which feature real police on the streets, have come under scrutiny in the wake of Floyd’s death on Memorial Day and subsequent national protests about police brutality, racism and mistreatment of black people.
Paramount announced the fate of long-running “Cops” in a short statement Tuesday: “‘Cops’ is not on the Paramount Network and we don’t have any current or future plans for it to return.”
Floyd’s funeral was held Tuesday in Houston and his brother Philonise testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, asking it to fix the criminal justice system.
“This is 2020. Enough is enough. The people marching in the streets are telling you enough is enough. Be the leaders that this country, this world, needs. Do the right thing,” he told lawmakers.
Floyd was killed while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers, one of whom, Derek Chauvin, held his knee on the 46-year-old man’s neck for more than eight minutes. Chauvin and three fellow officers face various murder charges.
Last week, A&E cited Floyd’s death in cutting short a “Live PD” marathon and pulling two new episodes of the series from the weekend’s schedule.
“Out of respect for the families of George Floyd and others who have lost their lives, in consultation with the departments we follow, and in consideration for the safety of all involved, we have made the decision not to broadcast ‘Live PD’ this weekend,” the network said in a statement.