Live PD – the “live” A&E TV show that “rides along” with police officers from 6 departments across the country, including Richland County Sheriff’s Department, a la Cops – has stirred up some local controversy, especially since the July 8 chase of Bryan Allan Martin, who held a toddler in his arms while struggling with an officer before his arrest.
âž• Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and his Department say being on Live PD is a positive thing; providing greater transparency about the police force at a time when people are demanding it, due to incidents like the North Charleston Michael Slagler shooting.
âž– However, some say the show is purely entertainment and that it exploits suspects (often low-income black and white people) at their worst moments. Others worry about how Columbia is being perceived by being on the show.
Live PD’s ratings have increased 152% since it began in October of 2016. People attribute the success (over other police shows like Cops) to the live factor. How live? There is a slight delay in case of unviewable content. Live PD airs on A&E every Friday + Saturday, 9 p.m.-12 a.m.
