WILLIAMSON COUNTY (Talk1370.com) -- The door has been slammed shut on Williamson County's participation in the A&E reality series "Live PD" once again.
Commissioners voted unanimously 4-0 Tuesday to send a cease-and-desist letter to Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody, as well as Big Fish Entertainment, the show's production company, and the network. County Judge Bill Gravell recused himself from the discussion and vote.
On April 19, Chody posted a Tweet saying an access agreement had been signed allowing the show to resume filming, calling the show a "necessary tool for our office for many reasons."
Commissioners had strong words for Chody attempting to bypass the will of the court, along with the timing in relation to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
"Last Saturday, Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody allowed a cameraman with no enforceable contract, no legal relation to the county, no duty to our citizens into a county cruiser to shoot a TV show," Commissioner Russ Boles said. "In doing so, he exposed the county to millions of dollars of liability. This is a fact. Only a careless sheriff would do that."
"The show is almost like a lie," Boles added. "100% of the WilCo felonies you have ever seen on 'Live PD' have been dismissed. This is not real police work. I don't think this is what the Williamson County citizens want the sheriff to do with their resources."
Boles said Travelers Insurance, who provides insurance for Williamson County law enforcement, had contacted the county to say the county's annual premiums would be "significantly increased" because of Chody's involvement with the show without a valid contract. Boles said the county currently spends roughly $125,000 annually on premiums.
Commissioners voted last August to terminate a previous access agreement with the show after concerns were raised by the District Attorney's office about access to raw video shot by production crews.
"An access agreement is the same title that was on this last year when it was terminated by the Commissioners Court," Commissioner Cynthia Long said. "The Sheriff has stated on social media that he personally signed an access agreement; to be clear, it is state law and case law that the commissioners court is the only body that has the ability to authorize or contract on behalf of the county. I believe the Sheriff has put himself in a lot of personal liability by signing this because he's not authorized to do it."
"I hope the message is loud and clear and that Big Fish doesn’t show up this weekend or ever again," Long added, "because dealing with this foolishness is going to cost county taxpayers money, and the Sheriff can avoid that by stopping immediately."
"I think we've been pretty clear here today. I thought we were clear months ago when we voted 5-0 and the judge gave very clear direction," Commissioner Valerie Covey said. "It obviously didn't sink in."