'Cops' Canceled: Paramount Network Ends Long-Running Reality Show Amid Policing Controversy

Amid nationwide protests against police brutality and overreach, Paramount Network has declined to renew long-running reality show, “Cops.” Airing consistently since 1989, “Cops” presented itself as a realistic look at American law enforcement officers on patrol and even before the current social climate drew criticism from some for potentially glorifying negative aspects of police work.

“‘Cops’ is not on the Paramount Network and we don’t have any current or future plans for it to return,” a statement from the network explained.

In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police, many have begun to question not just the violent tactics of some officers, but also the very necessity and role of police as a method of law enforcement in American society. Part of this conversation has involved interrogating the presence and depiction of police in films and television shows.

“Cops” first premiered on Fox and by 2011 it became the network’s longest-running program by 2011. In 2013, the series moved to Spike TV, which was rebranded to Paramount Network in 2018. With this cancelation, the final episode aired on May 11.

On a recent podcast, “Running from Cops,” host Dan Taberski detailed the sketchy tactics that the producers of the show used to present its subjects in a consistently positive light, including instances where some people were pushed into signing waivers. Police were also given rein to alter and remove certain material as they saw fit.