The CSI franchise films in Los Angeles, and now they will be joined by some real-life law enforcement programming.

"The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is an area that's been closed for years. They've opened that door," Rasha Drachkovitch, a reality television producer, told the L.A. Times. The opportunity to create reality shows with the cooperation of the Sheriff's Department has gotten a lot of attention. "I think in a sense it's almost a race," Drachkovitch said. "There are only so many opportunities for this." Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has authorized five reality programs so far. One of the shows that has already been picked up is The Academy. This program follows recruits through their department training and is airing on the Fox Reality network. Another of the approved shows is The Real CSI, which will show the scientific analysis of evidence, but this program is still in creative development.

"With all the requests I get from production companies, I could keep this department very busy doing reality television shows," said Mary Grady, public information director. "But in reality we are in the business of policing and reducing crime and making the city safer." For this reason, most of the television requests that the LAPD receives are rejected. For any shows that the department does produce, they will have to take on the extra burden of providing a searchable database of video footage. "Anything we gather is evidence. It has to be shared," Baca said. "Our mission is to prosecute offenders who have committed crimes. Anything we can establish to make that point will be provided to the district attorney and the defense attorney as well."

In addition to a percentage of license fees and profits, the Sheriff's Department is hoping that the reality programs will depict law enforcement in a positive light. Ultimately, the department is hoping for the shows to attract new recruits. "I think it's good marketing, because the viewers will have more respect for the profession," Baca said. "That's all I'm trying to do, let the public judge for themselves who the people are that wear the Los Angeles County sheriff's badge."

To read the full article, visit the L.A. Times.

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