Does ‘On Patrol: Live’ Have A Flexible Retention Policy?

The executive producer of On Patrol: Live continues to answer all the burning questions about the new show. On Friday, July 22, Reelz premiered the new docuseries which is behind the same minds as Live PD. Dan Abrams and Sean “Sticks” Larkin return with their new co-host Curtis Wilson.

Like its predecessor, this new series will follow police departments from across the country on Friday and Saturday nights. But instead of two hours of airtime, it will air from 9 p.m. to midnight. Former Live PD executive producer John Zito also runs this new series. He explained the show’s retention policy and the ongoing criticism.

Live PD was under fire for destroying footage

2020 was the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, which was sparked by the killing of George Floyd. This also caused the culture to take a closer look at police shows like FOX’s long-running series Cops.

Live PD made headlines for destroying the footage of Austin man Javier Ambler, who died in police custody. In his respective interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dan Abrams said that On Patrol: Live would have a more flexible retention policy, meaning it wouldn’t follow the standard 30-day policy. John Zito elaborated on Abrams’ response.

He explained that the “30-day retention policy is in place.” However, there is so much they can do with the content they accumulate from filming the weekly show. When it comes to “sensitive” situations, they will retain that footage for as long as possible.

“It’s always going to be on a case-by-case basis…” Zito explained. “We’re never going to be exploitative. We’re never going to show something that is traumatic, out of respect for all parties concerned, but we would try to find a way to air the footage in a responsible and respectful manner to address the situation.”

On Patrol: Live doesn’t promote “copaganda”

Zito addressed the criticism that shows like On Patrol: Live promotes “copaganda.” As TV Shows Ace previously reported, Dan Abrams fired back at that criticism. He said that people who make such claims should watch the show. Zito agrees with him.

“We were taken off the air at the time because there was this belief that the show was ‘copaganda’ and was too pro-law enforcement — but for the people who watched the show, we felt that it was very much not the case,” Zito told Entertainment Weekly. “A lot of people who criticized the show had never actually seen the show before…”

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He feels that shows like Live PD and On Patrol: Live are important because they open up the conversation “about law enforcement in America.” Reelz loved both the original show and the reboot. They think it addresses all the concerning issues. Zito wanted to change some aspects of the show, but keep it in the format that made people watch it in the first place.

What are your thoughts on the premiere of On Patrol: Live? Do you like it so far? What do you think should change? Sound off below in the comment section.

On Patrol: Live airs Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on Reelz.