The Paramount Network said on Tuesday that it canceled the long-running television show “Cops” amid protests against police brutality, The New York Times reports.
“‘Cops’ is not on the Paramount Network and we don’t have any current or future plans for it to return,” said a network spokesperson.
Paramount picked up Cops in 2013 after it was canceled by Fox. The show’s 33rd season was scheduled to premiere next week.
The civil rights group Color of Change campaigned for the show’s cancellation since 2013, arguing that it has “built a profit model around distorted and dehumanizing portrayals of black Americans and the criminal justice system.”
The group argued the show “offers a highly filtered version of crime and the criminal justice system — a ‘reality’ where the police are always competent, crime-solving heroes and where the bad boys always get caught.”
A&E May Also Follow Suit:
A&E also temporarily pulled episodes of its reality TV crime show "Live PD" last week and is reportedly "evaluating the right time to bring it back."
Live PD, which broadcasts live interactions with various police departments across the country, has proven to be a mixed bag for cities and counties that have allowed the show unfettered access to their police forces. While some have reported more public support for local police since the show aired, there has also been significant backlash from citizens who feel the show only portrays the worst elements of their communities. There are also reports of increased lawsuits as a result of the show as well as danger to officers in some circumstances.
Nationwide protests over police violence have brought the polarizing issue to the forefront in many communities. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, at least 3000 people signed an online petition in favor of continuing to take part in Live PD, after Mayor G.T. Bynum cut ties with the show in response to protests.
