The Williamson County in Texas has reached a settlement of $2.5 million to resolve allegations surrounding a SWAT team arrest that was allegedly staged for the A&E reality show “Live PD.” Gary Watsky claimed that deputies conducted the raid on his home without a warrant in May 2019, breaking down doors, deploying a “flash-bang” grenade, and holding him at gunpoint before revealing that the search was being filmed for the TV show.
The raid was intended to arrest Watsky’s son, Asher, who could have been apprehended peacefully at the courthouse earlier that day. Instead, the deputies opted for a dramatic and violent raid to enhance the show’s entertainment value. The settlement was approved by the Commissioners Court of Williamson County in a 4-1 vote, without public discussion.
This incident is part of a series of controversies linked to the county sheriff’s collaboration with “Live PD.” In another case, Javier Ambler died after being repeatedly tased by deputies during a pursuit, despite his pleas that he could not breathe and had a heart condition. The sheriff, Robert Chody, faced accusations of covering up the incident by arranging for the destruction of “Live PD” footage. The county agreed to a $5 million settlement with Ambler’s family, marking the largest payout in county history.
Chody, who lost his re-election bid in 2020, and his deputies were accused in the Watsky lawsuit of prioritizing their roles as entertainers on the reality show over their law enforcement duties. The lawsuit highlighted instances where deputies sought recognition and fame from their appearances on the show, with Chody even promoting “Live PD” episodes on social media.
Despite attempts to terminate the contract with “Live PD” in 2019 due to concerns about its impact on law enforcement and potential financial repercussions, Chody allegedly allowed filming to continue without authorization. The county took legal action against him in 2020 to officially cancel the contract, emphasizing that his primary responsibility is to serve as sheriff, not to act as a TV producer or celebrity.
“Live PD” was ultimately canceled by A&E in 2020 amid public backlash following the death of George Floyd. A similar show titled “On Patrol: Live” now airs on Reelz, produced by the same team behind “Live PD.” The Williamson County settlement serves as a reminder of the consequences of prioritizing entertainment over public safety in law enforcement.
