[3][4] In 2012, Spike announced that it had commissioned 13 new episodes with the revival of the original name and John Bunnell returning as host,[5] which premiered on May 7, 2012, and ended on August 13, 2012.
Video footage of car chases, subsequent arrests, robberies, riots and other crimes appear on the show.
World's Wildest Police Videos began in 1998 and ran for four seasons, comprising a total of 56 episodes, before being officially canceled in 2002.
It was narrated by actor Peter Coyote, and featured commentary by Captain C. W. Jensen of the Portland Police Bureau.
Bunnell's commentary was often characterized by puns, multiple clichés, and over-dramatic descriptions of the struggle between good and evil, the police and criminals, victims and abusers, etc.
Although Bunnell hosted and commented on most of the show, most police video segments were dubbed with the actual law enforcement officials acting in the situation presented.
Tire screeching noises, horn beeps, automobile collision sounds and sirens are often overdubbed in these segments; this is especially noticeable in footage where vehicles are driving over dry grass or sand.
Originally, a typical episode included sections entitled: "PIT Maneuver", "Car Thieves", "Rainy Chase", "Big Rig Road Block", "Jumping Off Bridge", and "Drunk Drivers".
The show appears to be a source of inspiration for the in-game television show "The Underbelly Of Paradise" in the video game Grand Theft Auto V. There were also home video releases on VHS of the first three World's Scariest Police Chases around late 1997, which included never-before-seen footage that wasn't shown on FOX.
In early April 2023, it was announced that New York-based streaming provider FilmRise had acquired the digital distribution rights to the entire series from Pursuit Productions, it was made available on their streaming service and on iTunes/Apple TV, which included some of the additional specials that premiered during the shows original run.