Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill Wednesday enacting a ban on law enforcement agencies taking part in reality television shows.
The legislation was introduced by Democratic state Rep. James Talarico after the 2019 death of Javier Ambler, who the law is named after.
Ambler died in police custody after being followed in a car chase by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies, who targeted him over his failure to dim his headlight. Deputies used Tasers on him while he reportedly shouted that he had a heart condition and couldn’t breathe.
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His encounter was caught on camera for the now-canceled A&E show Live PD, though the footage never aired.
“Policing is not entertainment,” Talarico said, according to KVUE of Austin. “I’m proud that Democrats and Republicans came together to pass this bill to protect our citizens and restore integrity in law enforcement.”
During the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department’s tenure on the show, cameras also caught the death of one man and another who was seriously injured after his interaction with officers.
Jeff Edwards of the Edwards Law Group said in a statement on behalf of Ambler’s parents that the couple “applauded” the move taken by the state government to ban police from taking part in entertainment shows.
“Javier Ambler was killed because Williamson County deputies were encouraged to produce exciting reality television instead of simply protecting and serving the public,” the statement read. “As a consequence of this unconscionable decision by the County and its Sheriff, a beloved father and son was senselessly killed.”
The bill passed the Texas House 110-34 on April 15 and passed in the Senate on May 13 with a 27-3 vote. Both chambers are currently controlled by Republicans.
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With the governor’s signature, the new law is effective immediately.
