00:00BET has picked up Copwatch America, a one-hour original docu-series consisting of
00:0510 episodes about Copwatches, the men and women who dedicate their time and lives
00:09to fighting police brutality and injustice armed only with their cameras and their
00:13knowledge of what is right. According to Marissa Levy, VP head of Unscripted at the
00:17network, BET Networks is committed to bringing important stories of systemic
00:21issues of race and justice across our nation to light. We are taking this on in a
00:26way no other brand and network can through platforms like our powerful Finding
00:29Justice franchise and our upcoming original docu-series Copwatch America.
00:33The series, described as action-driven and character-centric, will shine a light on
00:37America's fearless and distinct Copwatch crews with never-before-seen unprecedented
00:41access to the front line. It's a timely project as the abuse of power in the police
00:46force, particularly against African-Americans, has been steadily gaining media attention
00:50thanks in part to the Black Lives Matter movement and high-profile deaths such as
00:54those of Philando Castile and Sandra Bland. Levy acknowledged this in her statement saying,
01:13Said executive producer Max Welch on Thursday,
01:16Copwatch America will be shocking, eye-opening, exhilarating, explosive, must-watch action
01:21getting to the core of one of the biggest issues facing America, its police and the
01:25communities they serve today. Prepare for plenty of confrontation, powerful personal
01:29stories, injustices and debate as we capture the groundbreaking stories of those on both
01:34sides of the story in search of truth. BET has been expanding its programming and
01:39partnerships to tell diverse stories under the direction of Scott Mills, who took over from
01:42Deborah Lee in December 2017. On the scripted side, the Lena Waithe comedy's 20s and Boomerang
01:50recently joined a slate that also includes recently renewed American Soul. BET's originals
01:56also include the upcoming First Wives Club and the series finale of Being Mary Jane, among others.
02:01To read more on this story, head to THR.com. For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Lyndsey Rodrigues.
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