A&E
The reality cop series Live PD has now been canceled following weeks of unrest and protests over police brutality in the United States.
“This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD,” A&E said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Wednesday. “Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them. And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments.”
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The series had become popular and was just renewed for an additional 160 episodes in May, and was currently in the process of airing its fourth season.
Live PD host Dan Abrams said he was “shocked & beyond disappointed” about A&E’s decision to end the series.
“To the loyal #LivePDNation please know I, we, did everything we could to fight for you, and for our continuing effort at transparency in policing,” he wrote on Wednesday. “I was convinced the show would go on. . More to come. . .”
The cancellation comes after the series was Cops was also canceled after 33 seasons.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Live PD captured a man’s death when he was detained last year. The body cam footage shows 40-year-old Javier Ambler telling officers “I can’t breathe” before his death while in police custody.
Give me your hands or I’m going to tase you again,” an officer reportedly says in the footage, which was obtained by NBC station KXAN.
“I have congestive heart failure,” Ambler, the father of two sons, can reportedly be heard saying in the footage. “I can’t breathe.”
Ambler’s death was ruled a homicide according to a death report filed with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, according KXAN. The outlet reported that he died of “congestive heart failure and hypertensive cardiovascular disease associated with morbid obesity, in combination with forcible restraint.”
A&E told USA Today on Tuesday that “video of the tragic death of Javier Ambler was captured by body cams worn on the officers involved as well by the producers of Live PD who were riding with certain officers involved.” The network confirmed that the incident did not occur during live filming of the show and the footage was not broadcast.