Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Takes a Break from LivePD

For the time being, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office will be taking a break from their appearances on LivePD, according to Public Information Officer Brenda Bassett.

Bassett said the experience with the hit TV show has made a significant impact with the Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s the number one show on cable television,” said Bassett. “For us to have that opportunity to highlight our department and humanize that badge, if you will, it was a great opportunity. There were so many things they were able to cover in their many weeks here, including a Search and Rescue callout where we were able to rescue an 80 year-old male who was lost in the woods. We got to introduce you to a lot of our deputies who were out on call, and I think for us it was a great way to connect with our community as well as all over the country, there were just so many positive things that came out of it.”

One aspect of the show that Bassett said was most important was to publicize the missing persons cases in the Sheriff’s office.

“We were able to profile those missing people and unsolved cases,” she said. “It shows those families that we still really care about them and that we’re still looking for those connections and tips and to bring some answers, so even for the deputies who were never excited to have a camera in front of their face really enjoyed their experience. They were able to follow their normal protocols and then explain what happened to the audience after the incident was over.”

Bassett said the viewers of LivePD enjoyed seeing the activities of a law enforcement agency in a rural area like Montana, as opposed to only in a big city.

Bassett said the coverage by LivePD may resume in the spring or summer.