'COPS' Wraps Up Pinellas Shoot

Pinellas County’s finest will be in the spotlight starting in January when “COPS” launches episodes filmed on location in the Bay area.

A 12-week filming stint in Pinellas wrapped up Friday, the sheriff’s office reported. Film crews spent months riding along with local deputies to produce about 10 stories for the show’s 27th season. More than a dozen local deputies are featured in the reality TV show’s pieces.

“The show will provide an opportunity for the great work done by Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies on a daily basis to be showcased to a nationwide audience,” an email to media stated. “The ‘stories’ set to air have captured deputies handling a variety of calls for service, which included arrest scenarios involving drugs, domestics and even a burglary.”

The first episodes featuring Pinellas deputies are expected to air on Spike TV in early January.

Photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office