The TV program COPS features Sarasota County deputies this Saturday night when its 26th season debuts. A crew including COPS videographer Joe Beso rode along with deputies in May and June creating several programs that will air this fall. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yet5SWsIv1o
Beso said deputies there were very friendly.
“Riding in Sarasota the deputies have been very forthcoming,” said Beso. “They’ve been very accommodating to us and overall I like how they’re doing their job in order to maintain a level of quality of life in Sarasota. It’s like ok this is why Sarasota is a good department to ride in.”
Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight said in a press release that he’s glad citizens will get to see some of what deputies have to deal with on a daily basis in true, unscripted reality TV.
COPS premiered in 1989. It’s one of the longest-running shows on television. It moves to Spike TV this fall. There are web extras and extended versions from Sarasota County on line at www.cops.com.