'COPS' to be filmed in Kern

Friendly advice, you may not want to speed in Bakersfield for a few months. The long running reality TV show "COPS" will be filming in Kern County. Film crews will be embedded with the Kern County Sheriff's Department. While the Kern County Sheriff's Department provides service to much of the unincorporated areas like Mojave, Rosamond, Sand Canyon and Golden Hills, the "COPS" TV show will not be filming there. Instead, they will be filming the show in the Bakersfield metro area.

The partnership received approval from both Sheriff Donny Youngblood and the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

Public Information Officer Lori Meza said that the filming will begin in a few months and that the show will not just focus on Bakersfield, but that Bakersfield will be one of many areas being documented for the show. Also of note, not all of the footage will be used for the show, as the Sheriff's Department will have a level of review before footage is incorporated into the show. No word on when the episodes will air.

Officer Meza also wanted to highlight the department's crime prevention meetings they have been organizing around the county. Given that the Sheriff's Department covers much of the unincorporated and sprawling areas, it's important that rural residents take precautions to stay safe. The Sheriff's Department recently gave a presentation in Old West Ranch, and would love to expand the presentations. If you're interested in having the Kern County Sheriff's Department give a presentation in your community, you can contact them at [email protected].