Rochester, N.Y. --- A&E’s “First 48” is one of the most watched reality shows on cable and it will soon feature some hard-working detectives from Rochester.
The show tracks homicide detectives from cities around the country as they pursue leads and an arrest in the first 48-hours of an investigation. Most agree those hours are crucial to closing those cases.
For some of the Rochester Police Investigators featured on this show it is also an opportunity to show this community the hard work and compassion that comes with the job.
"It helps because they see what happens after we leave the scene,” Investigator John Brennan said. “They see us going to meet with the family, they see us following up on all the leads, all the little things that the uniformed guys are doing on the street for us."
"Because it showcases these things and it makes a face to a victim and you actually see their story and their back-story it prompts people to want to take that next step, to help out cooperate and be a part of closing a case," Investigator Gary Galetta said.
With officers and investigators constantly fighting that “no snitching” culture that is prevalent on the streets of many cities, this show can seen as a way to combat that mentality just a little. Often small pieces of information in the hands of skilled detectives can lead to an arrest.
"Something as simple as giving us a description on a car or seeing something that they didn't think was important could break the case, could lead us to another witness or to another suspect," Investigator Brennan said. "And it may bring somebody forward to talk to us and maybe they'll feel comfortable talking to us seeing how we actually do care and how we work and how we do the cases."
As for getting used to the cameras that circle around them while the show is taped? That presents a whole different kind of challenge.
"I never get used to it,“ Investigator Galetta chuckled. "The crew here is really good, the guy's are really great and they kind of make it painless…Kind of!"
A&E production crews will be filming in Rochester for the next year or so. No broadcast date for any episode featuring RPD is known yet.
