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When the true crime reality television show “The First 48” is filmed in local areas, participating police and sheriff’s departments do not receive monetary payment. Instead, they gain non-financial benefits such as showcasing their officers’ work, enhancing their public image, and bringing media attention to victims who may otherwise be overlooked.
However, the history of the show over two decades in various U.S. cities has been complex, resulting in a trail of issues and municipal regret, as reported by ProPublica. Detectives have admitted to staging scenes, and crucial investigation developments have sometimes been omitted. Episodes have been broadcast before defendants went to trial, revealing information not typically disclosed to potential jurors or witnesses in court.
Law enforcement and legal experts express concern about whether camera presence affects police behavior, potentially compromising the truth for more engaging narratives. In 2010, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm commented on this after a tragic incident in a Detroit police raid was filmed by the show, indicating that such footage affects behavior and is not a good practice.
These controversies have led several cities, including Dallas, Memphis, Tennessee, Mobile, Alabama, Minneapolis, and New Orleans, to terminate their contracts with “The First 48.” Some city officials have criticized the program upon ending their collaborations.
No misconduct has been officially attributed to the show. In 2018, Miami police Chief Jorge Colina expressed that it is not worthwhile for investigators to work for the camera rather than focusing on cases, highlighting reasons Miami withdrew five years earlier. Representatives from the production companies and the airing network, A&E, have not commented in response to inquiries.
The most recent seasons of the show have been filmed in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Gwinnett County, Georgia; and Mobile, Alabama. Issues typically arise after episodes are aired, often years later, when related legal cases are resolved in court.
In Mobile, a judge in 2022 questioned potential jurors about their viewership of “The First 48,” concerned about bias against a defendant previously featured on the show. The defense attorney argued that the show’s disclaimer is insufficient against human biases, with the client ultimately being acquitted after two mistrials. Another attorney expressed concern about the pre-trial airing of his client’s case. The Mobile Police Department did not comment on their involvement with the show. James Barber, a former Mobile police chief, noted the positive light the show cast on local homicide investigators but stated that public safety and avoiding legal complications are the top priorities, leading the city to not renew its contract with “The First 48” in 2023.
A 2013 episode from Dallas had significant real-life consequences for Arking Jones, who asserted he was filmed without consent and was portrayed as a police informant, leading to threats and a subsequent attack. Although he filed a lawsuit against the production company, the case was dismissed, upheld by an appeals court emphasizing media’s Constitutional protections.
An incident in Memphis was documented in the episode “Lester Street,” leading to concerns over airing potential evidence before trials. The city ended its relationship with the show in 2008. In 2024, an appeal highlighted issues in the case, questioning the influence of the show on the investigation and asserting the defendant’s innocence. Kelley Henry, Dotson’s appellate lawyer, stressed that media presence pressures city officials, impacting their objectivity.
Mariam Elba contributed research to the original article.
