An Arizona sheriff is set to launch a new streaming network that will highlight the work of sheriffs and other law enforcement officers across the country.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb announced his plans to launch the network, “American Sheriff,” during an interview with a local CBS affiliate station last week.
Lamb described his effort as a passion project that came about following a year of heightened tensions between police and Americans.
“It’s no surprise to anybody we’ve kind of taken a beating in law enforcement over the last couple years and what voice we did have was lost last year,” Lamb told the news outlet.
He went on to describe what viewers can expect from the service.
“They’re going to be able to see ride along action, they’re going to see the real stories of the men and women out there doing this work. They’re going to get a chance to see training,” he said.
Lamb also said that the subscription-based network, which will cost $4.99 a month, will not be associated with the county’s sheriff’s office or use any taxpayer money for funding.
“I’ve got a few partners on it and obviously because of conflict of interest this is not something I will be doing through the sheriff’s office,” Lamb said in the interview. “I have proven over the last four years that I’m not like other sheriffs. I mean, I try to do this job the way I feel is best.”
“No taxpayer dollars are being used for this and I have to carve out my personal time for this. Whatever family time we did have is pretty much gone now,” he added.
According to Lamb, the streaming network will use the money it gains from subscriptions to pay for the production crew and eventually will donate some to charity.
Lamb made headlines last year after he announced he would not arrest Arizona residents who violated the state’s stay-at-home orders at the onset of the pandemic.
“I think people want to know that we’re going to support their constitutional rights,” Lamb said at the time.