Texas city says, 'No thanks,' to 'Cops'

AUSTIN, Texas, May 30 (UPI) -- "Cops," a popular reality drama on the Fox network, won't be filming Austin, Texas, police officers on patrol or when answering calls, city officials said.

Production crews had hoped to begin filming the officers in May, but city officials reconsidered, saying the show generally depicted only the more sensational aspects of a police officer's work, the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported Wednesday.

Assistant City Manager Michael McDonald said he feared viewers might not see, for example, how officers do community policing or talk with neighborhood residents while on patrol.

"We do an excellent job out there, and there is nothing to hide about how our officers are effecting arrests," McDonald said.

The decision isn't sitting well with the officers, though.

"We would have been very proud to showcase our police department," said officer Joe Munoz, a vice president of the Austin Police Association. "It's unfortunate we can't do those types of things. Austin is a flagship agency."

Production crews filmed Travis County, Texas, sheriff's deputies in 2005 for episodes airing last year. Sheriff's spokesman Roger Wade said the department "didn't see a downside" when asked about the filming, adding that sheriff's officials reviewed and helped to edit the video.