Live PD show coming to Terre Haute

[DJ11DLN]

Hope I'm putting this in the right place. It is a bit surprising to me considering how less-than-open THPD has historically been.

City of Terre Haute reaches an agreement with Live PD

An agreement has been reached between the city of Tere Haute and the production company that operates Live PD.

www.wthitv.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - An agreement has been reached between the city of Tere Haute and the production company that operates Live PD. Big Fish Entertainment airs Live PD on the TV channel A&E.

It happened during a Thursday afternoon Board of Public Works meeting where the board approved the agreement. The show actually reached out to the Police Department in July. Chief Shawn Keen says the department's call volume was attractive to the show's producers.

 

[AK9R]

The article you referenced finally gets to the heart of the matter: money.

Officials say the company offers some money to the city depending on the amount of air-time...

There are other statements in the article that caused me to raise an eyebrow:

1. "Chief Shawn Keen says the department's call volume was attractive to the show's producers." How did the producers become aware of THPD's call volume? Is it public knowledge?

2. "Chief Keen highlighted three main areas that were considered during the decision to move ahead with this agreement. He first mentioned the area of recruiting police officers to Terre Haute. He spoke with other police departments involved with this show and they said they saw an increased number of qualified applicants." The PD where I live doesn't seem to have problems recruiting police officers. The number of applicants usually far exceeds the number of open positions. The staff and the police commission have to work pretty hard to winnow down the applications to a manageable number. If THPD is having a recruiting problem, is Live PD just going to apply a band-aid over more serious problems?

 

[DJ11DLN]

Just an eddacayted guess but...

I think it's more of a retention problem. I have heard that they have a fair bit of turn-around. People get their training and some experience then move on to greener pastures i.e. better pay & bennies, better working conditions, etc.

And I am guessing that Live PD very likely got THPD's call volume from...THPD. Further deponent sayeth not about that.

 

[appalling_hauling]

So where does that leave Lawrence with the show?

 

[INDY72]

The number of calls daily by any department is public information. Its also used in City Council Meetings as a fulcrum on budget matters. Same for Tinypond USA as it is for Megacity USA. Live PD is not beholden to be just for Lawrence, they hit a spot for a while, then move to another. Name is Live PD not Lawrence PD Tube. Same for the original dog on this hunt, C.O.P.S. Live PD will be welcome as long as money flows and things are positive spin for THPD. But if stupid actions get shown, then just like in other places that had corruption and "Backwoods Bubba" actions shown on TV... They will be banned from ever coming back.

 

[appalling_hauling]

Which leads the viewing public to wonder-is there a dildo quota per traffic stop for each featured department?
They seem to be coming up short as of late.
Franklin County Ohio got into hot water after Columbus PD filed several jurisdictional grievances regarding their pursuit policy that resulted in a death. Its a good guess that FCSD wont be back on Livepd.

 

[appalling_hauling]

Well so much for efficient operation. I had the video link but it wont transfer now.
Long story short,a lieutenant with FCSD pursues a stolen car with juveniles in heavy traffic and a pedestrian was killed after being struck by the stolen car. Later the lieutenant was reprimanded because given traffic conditions the pursuit should have been terminated. Shortly afterwards,Columbus PD alleged that since the sheriffs department was featured on Livepd deputies were constantly chasing through the city and the 2 departments pursuit policies were not compatible. The decision was made by the sheriff to leave Livepd.

 

[appalling_hauling]

Come to think of it,after a deadly pursuit was featured in Greene county Missouri Sheriff Arnot also decided to take their 2nd break from the show saying that the department needed to focus upon other goals.
I don't know if the deadly chase/ crash that resulted in 3 or more deaths was the deciding factor but it had to weigh in heavy.

 

[DJ11DLN]

I have no idea how this will play out, either for Live PD or for THPD...but it should be interesting to watch it develop. My main concern is that they don't get their panties in a bunch over something or other, show related or not, and start using Tact1(e) for normal Dispatch Operations again.

 

[iMONITOR]

Not sure if I'd want Live-PD to come to my area. They seem to let just about anybody get away with all kinds of BS! No driver's license, no registration, no insurance, etc. A week later they're back on the show doing the same thing with the same people! It's a politically correct feel-good PD show for the snow flakes.

 

[appalling_hauling]

I doubt Evansville will be featured anytime soon given the hostile situation between Chief Bolin and the rank and file.

 

[DJ11DLN]

Aaaaannnndd, the drama has begun...

UPDATE: Sheriff Plasse offers insight on decision to pass on Live PD contract

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Terre Haute Police Department’s new contract with Live PD is an “extremely poor decision,” according to Vigo County Commissioner Brendan …

www.mywabashvalley.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Terre Haute Police Department’s new contract with Live PD is an “extremely poor decision,” according to Vigo County Commissioner Brendan Kearns.

“As our community goes one step forward, this puts us three steps back,” Kearns said in a written statement presented at a commissioner’s meeting Tuesday morning.

 

[AK9R]

Other cities and counties who have participated in the show later “realized they were sold a bill of goods based on hopes of a strong recruitment tool and increased public support,” said Kearns.

No doubt there are law enforcement agencies who have reaped some benefit from their association with this show, but they should always keep in mind that the primary motivation behind this project is to make money for the producers.

 

[iMONITOR]

I must admit I'm a big fan of the show because I like watching all the idiots that get themselves in more trouble by the minute! They just can't keep there mouth shut!