“This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD,” A&E said in a statement. “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.”
“Live PD” has been at the center of controversy in Williamson County where Sheriff Robert Chody has continued the filming of the show even after the Commissioners Court canceled its contract in August.
In April, the show continued to film in the county under a contract signed by Chody, which according to the commissioners he has no legal authority to do so. The court has gone so far as to file a cease and desist order and filed a lawsuit in May.
On June 9, two of the five members of the court called for Chody’s resignation while two others condemned him after a June 8 report by KVUE and the Austin-American Statesman reported the death of Javier Ambler in North Austin while in police custody in March 2019.
“[Chody’s] actions and failure of leadership demonstrates he lacks the moral authority to be a cop, and much, much less Williamson County's top cop,” Commissioner Cynthia Long said at the time.
