Wheeling's 'On Patrol: Live' Filming on Hiatus for Months

Police Chief says contract still active, but TV crews have not returned to the city since early 2026

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:18am

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The Wheeling Police Department's collaboration with the popular REELZ television series 'On Patrol: Live' remains under contract, but film crews have not been in the city for several months. The police chief says the show's producers have been focusing on filming in other communities, though there is a possibility the crews could return to Wheeling before the contract expires in May.

Why it matters

The 'On Patrol: Live' series provides a real-time, behind-the-scenes look at police work in participating departments across the country. Wheeling was the first law enforcement agency in West Virginia to be featured on the show, which has built a loyal following among viewers. The temporary absence of Wheeling from the broadcasts has left local fans wondering about the status of the partnership.

The details

According to Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, the 'On Patrol: Live' film crews were in the city regularly from September 2025 through the start of 2026, capturing footage of officers on patrol. However, the crews have not returned to Wheeling since then, even though the police department's contract with the show runs through May 2026. Schwertfeger speculates the producers may be focusing on filming in warmer weather states during the winter months, when outdoor police activity is typically lower in Wheeling.

  • The Wheeling Police Department's contract with 'On Patrol: Live' began in early September 2025.
  • The film crews were regularly in Wheeling through the start of 2026.
  • The current contract with the show runs through May 2026.

The players

Shawn Schwertfeger

Wheeling Police Chief, who has overseen the department's collaboration with the 'On Patrol: Live' television series.

REELZ

The cable television network that airs the 'On Patrol: Live' documentary series.

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What they’re saying

“Our contract has not expired, but they stopped filming sometime around the first of the year.”

— Shawn Schwertfeger, Wheeling Police Chief

“There wasn't always as much activity in Wheeling as there was in some of the other communities.”

— Shawn Schwertfeger, Wheeling Police Chief

“Their feedback of the Wheeling Police Department was very positive.”

— Shawn Schwertfeger, Wheeling Police Chief

What’s next

The Wheeling Police Department's contract with 'On Patrol: Live' is set to expire in May 2026, at which point it's unclear if the show will return to film in the city.

The takeaway

While Wheeling's temporary absence from the 'On Patrol: Live' broadcasts has left some local fans disappointed, the police chief's positive feedback about the professionalism of the TV crew and the department's continued contract with the show suggest the partnership could resume in the coming months.