FMPD: TV show 'COPS' to start filming in Fort Myers next week

The TV show “COPS” will start filming episodes with the Fort Myers Police Department Feb. 21.

But some county officials are not happy about it.

Langley Productions, the producer of the nationally syndicated TV show, has partnered with FMPD on four seasons of the show: Season 9 in 1996, Season 18 in 2003, Season 22 in 2007 and Season 28 in 2015, according to emails obtained by The News-Press.

“COPS” will be filming scenes for Season 30 in Fort Myers.

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Fort Myers allows 'COPS' to film, but not without concern

City Council members voted 5-2 to allow it, with Terolyn Watson and Johnny Streets questioning the timing.

Chief Derrick Diggs, who was hired in August, is still getting settled into a department that has been criticized for an inability to solve violent crime, and accused of racial discrimination among its leadership ranks. A recent crime-fighting initiative fell short and the community is at odds with those who swore to serve and protect. On top of that, an internal audit of the police department should be completed in the next couple weeks.

Diggs has experience with producers of the show. “COPS” filmed in Toledo, Ohio, when he was the police chief there, according to emails. In making his case to allow the show, Diggs said it will provide officers with a level of transparency, it will highlight excellent work by FMPD and it will be a great recruiting tool.

As part of the agreement, FMPD will grant access to Langley Productions, and in return, the department has the right to remove or revise portions of each segment. Diggs said he has the final say on what airs.

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But Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass feels this move will be bad for tourism.

Pendergrass, who is also chairman of the Tourist Development Council, sent a letter to Mayor Randy Henderson on Jan. 18, saying TDC members question the decision to participate in a show that does not reflect the city in a positive light.

“We are not in support of a national show focusing on potential negative aspects of what is overall an extremely safe destination,” Pendergrass wrote. “Any efforts to portray our community in a less than favorable light should be discouraged so as to uphold the positive image of our area.”

Henderson said members of the TDC are right to be concerned, but he supports Diggs' decision.

“I do not believe for a minute that people are going to stop coming here because we have the ‘COPS’ show on TV," Henderson said, adding that people won't perceive Fort Myers to be more dangerous than other cities. “And I will add, I don’t like that we even have to have the discussion.”

Here is one scene from "COPS" that was filmed at the base of the bridge on Evans Avenue and First Street in 2007.