The most popular police shows that provide insight on policing are On Patrol: Live (also known as LivePD) and COPS. I’ve been watching LivePD since 2019 then the show took a break and is now back on air as On Patrol: Live on the channel Reelz. On Patrol: Live is a live ride along with officers across the nation responding the calls such as domestics, traffic stops, hostage situations, vehicle pursuits, robberies, and car accidents. The show is hosted by Dan Abrams, retired Lt. Sticks from Tulsa PD, and Richland County Deputy Sheriff, Curtis Wilson. Over the course of 2.5–3 years, you begin to know the officers and how they police. Some police departments such as Richland County Sheriff Department (RCSD) remained with the show. As RSCD still remains, viewers begin to understand certain officers’ area of expertise. For example, Captain Brown from RCSD area of expertise is illegal drug enforcement and has a very good eye. When the show returned, in October 2022, the show did a citizen ride-along. During the ride along, Cpt. Danny Brown pulled over a vehicle for throwing out an illegal substance outside the window.

The show shows several police departments across the nation and adds more departments to show such as Spotsylvania Police Department and Wikes-Barre Police Department. In Wikes-Barre, approximately 4 weeks ago, officers were patrolling a residential area. During their patrol, they became victims of a t-bone car accident. The individual that caused the accident happened to be driving while intoxicated and had warrants out for his arrest. As a result, the individual was arrested and taken to the hospital by medics. Fortunately, the officers and camera crew are ok and didn’t sustain any minor or serious injuries.

COPS is known for its very popular theme song “Bad Boys.” COPS does show officers responding to calls, arriving on scene, and arresting criminals if a crime was committed. The difference between On Patrol: Live and COPS is that COPS shows the individual being processed in jail.