Parents' Guide to Campus PD

TV E! , G4 Reality TV 2009
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Common Sense Media Review

Melissa Camacho By Melissa Camacho , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Cops keep a lid on college students; lots of drinking.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Reality series CAMPUS PD follows the police officers responsible for patrolling college towns and university campuses across the country. Cameras roll as officers shut down loud parties, monitor campus protests, and respond to various 9-1-1 calls. Arrests for various crimes are also made.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

Unfortunately, Campus PD's appeal -- such that it is -- comes from seeing college students take their partying too far rather than from watching the officers do their job. It isn't as violent as police docs like COPS or Street Patrol, but it does feature young people being arrested for a variety of criminal activities, ranging from drunk driving to drug possession.

Some people may like this voyeuristic glimpse at college life, but overall the show sends confusing messages about what life in college is all about. The endless scenes of young adults partying, getting drunk, and arguing with police officers may also make viewers wonder whether these students actually have any time left for studying.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way television depicts college life. How true to life do you think this particular show is? Do most students drink and party when they go to college?

  • What are the real-life consequences of the kind of behavior depicted here? Do you think the show makes those consequences clear?

  • How can you handle peer pressure when you go away to school? What are some of the ways that you can have fun in college without engaging in destructive and/or illegal behavior?

TV Details

  • Premiere date : December 9, 2009
  • Networks : E! , G4
  • Genre : Reality TV
  • TV rating : TV-14
  • Last updated : September 29, 2022

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