Salinas police to star on TV again

Joe Szydlowski | The Californian

Salinas police will get a national audience again as an A&E show will follow them live.

Live PD, which follows police officers for three hours similar to the show COPS, but in a live format, got the OK to begin filming from the Salinas City Council Tuesday.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the Salinas Police Department to display the quality work, skill level and professionalism of the (department)," sad David Shaw, deputy chief with the department, in a report to the council. "... Much like the Forbes Ag Summit, this is an opportunity to keep the city (of) Salinas on the national stage by further showcasing our city and its residents."

The contract lasts through February 2019, with an option to extend it an extra year, Shaw said.

Live PD follows officers in ride-a-longs similar to COPS, but the footage is shown live interspersed with explanations about policies and legal issues as police encounter them, he said.

More: Salinas PD on “COPS” TV Show Saturday

"This one adds an educational element," he said. "... They flash back and forth, and educate people on legal issues developing during the segments."

The show is produced by Big Fish Entertainment LLC. and broadcast live, though there is a time-delay of 10 to 25 minutes, Shaw said.

That allows the show to blur or bleep as necessary from its control room at the department, which officers will also have access to, Shaw said. In addition, Salinas police will have access to the control room, and crews will stop filming on scene if the officer tells them to, Shaw said.

Crews will focus on three to five police officers over eight to 12 weeks, he said.

Previously, Salinas police appeared on COPS, and interest in joining the force spiked, Shaw said.

He's hoping that will happen again.

Councilman Tony Barrera applauded the project as a "great thing" that should help the department get recruits.

Councilwoman Kimbley Craig also praised the idea, asking the department to make sure to notify the community when the episodes air.

"That's the plan," Shaw replied.