LOS ANGELES -- Cops who bring "COPS" must be more careful.
New guidelines by the Los Angeles Police Department bar television camera crews that tag along with police from entering homes or other private property without permission from the owner.The rules apply to reality-based entertainment shows like Fox's "COPS" as well as news programs, police Cmdr. David Kalish said Wednesday. The entertainment programs face another hurdle: News crews are likely to get priority on ride-alongs.
"We encourage media participation," Kalish said. "Obviously, it's important in a democracy to have an informed public. But we have to prioritize and, quite frankly, reality-based TV would not be as high a priority as news."
TV crews may still film public incidents, Kalish said.
The issue of privacy and whether police officers can take TV cameras and other news media into homes during an arrest or search is currently under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court. Arguments in two cases were held before the court on Wednesday.
Los Angeles officials asked the department to clarify its policy about media ride-alongs following lawsuits involving the syndicated series "LAPD: Life on the Beat" and the Spanish-language program "Placas" ("Shields").
John Langley, creator and executive producer of the Fox series "COPS," said he had no plans to work with the Los Angeles police. There are alternatives, including the Sheriff's Department and other cities, he said.
"We may film in Albuquerque. We may film in Minneapolis. We're a road show," Langley said.