The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has the opportunity to be featured on the television show “Cops.”

The Polk County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with the producers of the show during its April 22 meeting. The sheriff’s office was approached by “Cops” and asked if Polk County wanted to be showcased on an episode.

All that is left for the sheriff’s office to do is to get legal approval for the airing, said Lt. Mark Chance, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

“We’re very excited,” Chance told the Register. “It is going to showcase the men and women of this office and how we conduct ourselves out there in the general public.”

Has ‘Cops’ filmed in Iowa before?

This isn’t the first time “Cops” has been in Iowa. The show most recently filmed with the Des Moines Police Department in 2014.

What is the show ‘Cops’ about?

“Cops” is a reality legal television show that follows local law enforcement on the job, airing police incidents from road rage to drug busts.

The show was dropped from Paramount Network in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd and nationwide protests against police brutality, according to NPR.

Fox Nation took over the unscripted show in 2021. “Cops” has been on the air for more than 30 years with more than 1,175 episodes.

When will ‘Cops’ come to Iowa?

The show “Cops” will film in Polk County sometime in 2025. The show could be in Iowa anywhere from six to eight weeks. It could be shorter or longer, Chance said.

The Polk County episode could air in 2026, but there are no exact dates and times until the show gets closer.

As for what will be on the show, Chance said he “has no idea” but hopes it will highlight the work and brand of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

“It is a heck of a recruiting tool for us to be showcased on an international show like that,” Chance said.

It is still unknown which officers or departments from the office will be on “Cops.” The show could tag along with officers on patrol or the mental health unit, Chance said.

“They like to try to make a connection with whoever they are riding with,” Chance said of the show. “So if they get somebody, they will probably stick with them the whole time they are here.”

The agreement gives Polk County the opportunity to review footage and give final approval before it airs.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.