Producers of CW’s “Police 24/7” are now working with the Parsons Police Department to film its officers and operations for a future episode, possibly in the 2026 season.
Representatives of the production company met with police and city officials, including two city commissioners, on Tuesday afternoon.
‘“Police 24/7’ … delivers raw, unfiltered access into the world of sheriffs and police departments across the United States as they serve and protect at all costs,” according to the network’s website. “From drug busts to routine traffic stops, you never know what to expect, but these officers are ready 24/7 to keep their communities safe.”
The city signed an agreement with the CW production company a year ago for the national series.
Producers will be in Parsons for four to six weeks with a crew working beside police and staff five days a week.
Police Chief Robert Spinks said producers want to see the impact of community policing efforts and department initiatives, including the Public Safety Advisory Board, the annual Public Safety Fair, which is Saturday morning, Oct. 4, and other activities. He said producers will follow officers, investigations and animal control team members and attend range qualifications among other assignments. He said they may also look at the department’s use of force simulator.
“The CW is looking at this as a test to see if they want to do additional smaller towns. Traditionally, these have been big cities … chasing people,” Spinks said.
There may be a bigger story in smaller towns that the network wants to pursue, he said.
Spinks said he didn’t know how long the segment on the department would be when it is expected to air in the 2026 season. It could be one show or segments could be dropped in other episodes. He said some episodes show events from two or three departments.
“So it really just depends on what they get,” Spinks said.
Representatives of the production company told the Sun that on ride-alongs, a camera operator and producer will be in the patrol cars using varied camera angles through fixed and hand-held devices. The crew follows the officers on their shifts and calls to create a realistic depiction of the daily duties and challenges officers face.
Producers said they would know early on which video would be forwarded to editing. They said they were curious about the number of animal traps they saw at the police department, which are used by animal control to trap various nuisance pests. This officer will be followed as well.
Representatives told the Sun that Parsons is a smaller department to partner with, but the community offers an opportunity to see law enforcement operations in a rural area.
In a release, the police department wrote that the concept for Parsons’ inclusion in the program was inspired by the department’s participation in the Police2Peace program, an initiative that equips officers with communication and empathy-based strategies to
See POLICE, Page 8.
strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The training emphasizes viewing officers not only as enforcers of law but as “peace officers” who promote trust, safety and mutual respect, the release said.
“This is an incredible opportunity for the city of Parsons to showcase the wonderful things happening in our community,” Spinks said in the release. “Our officers serve with pride, professionalism and dedication every day, and this project allows the public to see the reality of modern policing, the professionalism, compassion, and teamwork that define our department. It also highlights what policing truly looks like for the vast majority of law enforcement agencies across the United States, a holistic, community-approach built on transparency, respect and public service.”
Chief Spinks added in the release that “Police 24/7” is providing an important counter-narrative to the often one-dimensional portrayal of policing seen in national headlines. “Our officers are mentors, coaches, neighbors and volunteers. They know the people they serve and work hard to make Parsons a safe and welcoming city. This project helps tell that story, the one that doesn’t always make the evening news or social media.”
The Parsons Police Department has built a reputation for progressive policing practices, transparency and community engagement. Recent initiatives such as the Parsons Police Legacy Fund, the annual Guardians of the Greens charity golf scramble and local partnerships through Shop with a Cop and the Parsons Public Safety Fair reflect the department’s ongoing commitment to building trust and investing in the city’s future, the release said.
Lt. Jason Ludwig, who serves as both the department’s training coordinator and public information officer, emphasized the importance of this moment for local law enforcement: “Having a project like ‘Police 24/7’ here in Parsons allows our officers to share their experiences in an honest and educational way. It also highlights how our training and professionalism come together each day to make a difference.”
Community members may notice camera crews accompanying officers. The department assures residents that the production will not interfere with ongoing operations or emergency response, and filming will be conducted with full respect for privacy, sensitivity and departmental policy, the release said.
“Having had the opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy, I can fully appreciate the job that ‘Police 24/7’ is doing for small agencies such as ours,” said Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd. “I had the opportunity to share how we do things and initiatives that we are launching and found that we are pushing the envelope for programs faster than some larger agencies. So, this opportunity is just one more way for us to show our citizens and the nation that small agencies can make positive change as well.”
As the partnership unfolds, “Police 24/7” will bring national attention to Parsons’ commitment to progress, accountability and service in an effort to show that great policing isn’t just found in large cities but thrives in the heartland of small-town America, the release said.
