Gov. Greg Abbott signs Javier Ambler Law banning reality TV partnering with police
Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Wednesday a bill banning TV reality shows from partnering with law enforcement agencies. The Javier Ambler Law is named for a man who died in an encounter with Williamson County deputies in March 2019, as the high-rated program “Live PD” filmed.
The Legislature had overwhelmingly passed the measure before the bipartisan proposal was sent to Abbott’s desk last week. Amid a national conversation about policing in America, Texas is the first state to ban programs, such as the now-defunct “COPS” and “Live PD,” which came under scrutiny in the aftermath of Javier Ambler II’s death and the murder of George Floyd.
“Javier Ambler was killed because Williamson County deputies were encouraged to produce exciting reality television instead of simply protecting and serving the public,” the Ambler family said in a statement. “As a consequence of this unconscionable decision by the county and its sheriff, a beloved father and son was senselessly killed.”
The law, which was introduced by state Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, is the latest result of an ongoing investigation by the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV, which first revealed details of Ambler’s death in June.
Read more: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/2021/05/27/texas-governor-signs-javier-ambler-law-banning-reality-cop-shows/7467764002/