The legislation was signed into law two years after a Black motorist died while “Live PD” cameras rolled during a car chase through north Austin.
Deputies hold down Javier Ambler as one of them uses a Taser on Ambler’s back during his arrest in Austin, Texas, on March 28, 2019. (Austin Police Department via AP)
AUSTIN, Texas (CN) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Wednesday evening a ban on reality television crews filming police, two years after Black motorist Javier Ambler died following a car chase captured by “Live PD” cameras.
Titled Javier Ambler’s Law, House Bill 54 went into effect immediately. The bill received bipartisan support in the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature, passing the House of Representatives 110-34 and the Senate 27-3.
A former Williamson County sheriff’s deputy once featured on the reality show “Live PD” and involved in at least three controversial force incidents has been charged with assault and official oppression from his encounter with a domestic violence victim in September 2019.
The incident involving Lorenzo Hernandez, who voluntarily left the force in late 2020, had received no public attention until reporting last fall from the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV during a months-long investigation of the agency. Hernandez is the sixth person, including the county’s former sheriff, to face 10 felony and misdemeanor charges for crimes officials say they committed in connection to their work with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. A new sheriff, Mike Gleason, took office in January.
By Texas News Desk
May 14, 2021
Javier Ambler s law is headed to the governor s office following approval by the Texas Senate. The bill would ban law enforcement agencies across the state from taking part in reality television shows. Javier Ambler died in the custody of Williamson County deputies in March 2019 while cameras rolled for the show Live PD. Former sheriff Robert Chody is one of two people indicted as part of the investigation into Ambler s death.
The law, named for a Black man who died after being tasered by Williamson County deputies, would prohibit law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts with reality television shows.