Parents' Guide to

Live PD

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Live broadcasts of police patrols contain strong content.

TV A&E Reality TV 2016
Live PD Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all
age 16+

Based on 12 parent reviews

Stks10511
Stks10511 Adult
January 5, 2020
age 18+

What goes on in CA

I am an avid watcher. Do not agree with everything but most decisions. The last minute choices they have to make is hard to judge unless you are in situation My thoughts are what the heck is with these California areas. Every week is shootings, bank robberies, gun whipping at tax office. No other states have crime like this. Truck got shot and he had a baby seat right in his back seat. I have no idea why people want to live there.
Critiquer
Critiquer Adult
December 15, 2019
age 12+

S4 Episode 27

This occurred in Terre Haute, IN Cops are wrong for escalating the situation. Kid has freedom of speech and was walking away. Cop went after him and they escalated the entire situation by handcuffing most of the family. Cops are out of control here and should be sued.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 12 parent reviews

What's the Story?

LIVE PD (aka Live PD: Rap Sheet) is a reality series that follows law enforcement across the country in real-time as they work the night shift. Hosted by Dan Abrams, each installment uses dash cams, fixed cameras, and handheld devices to simultaneously live-broadcast multiple police officers from different cities conducting traffic stops, following up on complaints, busting people for drugs, and responding to calls while on patrol. As the show switches back and forth to the more interesting events each police unit is dealing with, Abrams and co-host Tom Morris Jr. offer commentary. Crime experts and law enforcement officials also make guest appearances and add to the conversation. Pre-recorded police activity is also featured, often to give context to what audiences are watching live. From the backwoods of Florida to the highways of Arizona, officers willingly allow cameras to follow them to let viewers see what they do during a regular night on the job.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (12):
Kids say (5):

This interesting series shows what daily police activity looks like across the country at a time when law enforcement is under public scrutiny. What sets it apart from similarly themed shows is the fact that viewers get to watch incidents unfold in real time. Most police officers are usually able to explain what they're doing and why during the process, or after a situation is under control. The hosts often address these reasons, and if they are justified.

There are some interesting, awkward, and intense moments. But Live PD uses its live status, and the constant shifting from location to location, to make events seem more exciting than they really are. Nonetheless, it also offers police officers a chance to be transparent, and to reinforce the idea that they are there to serve their communities.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what police officers do on a daily basis. What are the differences between what they do in real life versus how their jobs are portrayed on TV and in movies? Does Live PD give a good representation of what the police do?

  • What is the purpose of Live PD? To make police activity more transparent and restore public trust in the police? Or is it mostly about entertaining viewers? Do you think police officers behave differently when not on camera? Does this series change the way you think about law enforcement?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate