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'Live PD' canceled amid protests, questions over footage of Javier Ambler in police custody

Ambler was pulled over and died in Texas deputies' custody. "Live PD" reportedly had footage but it was "no longer retained."

Credit: AP

In this image made from a March 28, 2019, body-worn camera video provided by the Austin Police Department in Texas, Williamson County deputies hold down Javier Ambler as one of them uses a Taser on Ambler’s back during his arrest in Austin, Texas. The black man died in custody in 2019 after sheriff's deputies repeatedly used stun guns on him, despite his pleas that he was sick and couldn't breathe, according a report published Monday, June 8, 2020, by the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV. The video was made on the camera worn by an Austin police officer who also showed up at the scene as Williamson County deputies were making the arrest. (Austin Police Department via AP)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A&E Network has canceled the police reality series “Live PD."

The cable network announced the move Wednesday, a day after Paramount Network ”dropped the similar show “Cops."

A&E said in a statement that it's a critical time in the nation's history and it's ceasing production on “Live PD” as it seeks better ways to tell stories of police interaction with communities.

The decision, according to outlets Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, comes as protests against police brutality and racial injustice continue nationwide.

A&E's announcement also happens after it was revealed a "Live PD" camera crew had footage of Javier Ambler, a black man dying while in the custody of Williamson County, Texas, deputies, but the video was "no longer retained."

"This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD," A&E said in a statement, according to Variety. "Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them.

"And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments."

Ambler died in March 2019 while in the custody of Williamson County sheriff's deputies. KVUE-TV reports bodycam footage from an Austin police officer is the only video that has been released so far of Ambler's deadly arrest.

A&E removed new episodes of "Live PD" from its schedule earlier this week, while "Cops" was canceled entirely.

RELATED: 'Live PD' says it did not retain footage of Javier Ambler arrest

RELATED: 'Cops' canceled by Paramount; 'Live PD' taken off schedule

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