Cop-turned-pastor convinces prostitutes to quit their jobs in new reality show

A cop-turned-pastor will have eight minutes to convince prostitutes to quit their jobs in a new reality tv series to be aired in the US.

In the series with the working title '8 Minutes', Orange County vice cop turned pastor Kevin Brown will be making surprise entrances in hotel rooms and offering to rescue prostitutes, reported Entertainment Weekly.

This is one of those great shows that was actually happening whether anybody was shooting it or not. Brown told his congregation that for 20 years he's had to arrest these women when what he's really wanted to do is help them. It launched a drive within his church to run these undercover operations. We read that and thought somebody should put a camera on this, it's the most incredible thing I've ever heard.

- Tom Forman, Executive Producer

Commending Brown, Executive producer Tom Forman said the idea for the show was driven by a 2013 LA Times article about Brown.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Forman said: "This is one of those great shows that was actually happening whether anybody was shooting it or not.

"Brown told his congregation that for 20 years he's had to arrest these women when what he's really wanted to do is help them. It launched a drive within his church to run these undercover operations. We read that and thought somebody should put a camera on this, it's the most incredible thing I've ever heard."

Brown, a full-time pastor, had been working with his church to form an undercover prostitution intervention operation before he was called in by the A&E television network for the show.

In the show, Brown analyzes a newspaper or internet ad and upon being alone with a prostitute, he starts off with: "I'm not here to have sex with you, I'm here to offer you a whole new life if you want it. Tell me your story."

Some of the women have cried saying: "I've been waiting for someone to offer me a path out," while others have declined his offer saying: "I'm doing what I'm doing and I'm not doing anything else."

Why 8 minutes?

Since Brown has previously served as a full-time cop, there are a lot of safety protocols before he goes into a room alone with a prostitute.

Cops are put on speed dial and church members are placed in strategic locations.

The eight-minute deadline prevents any dangerous mishaps with the pimps coming back for the prostitutes or Brown and his team.

Brown has had a 50/50 success rate with his team that comprises of two former prostitutes who present first-hand experience of opting out to the subjects.

"I love the intersection of drama and transformation and faith—without making an overtly faith-based show. This is a church group ... these are real people giving up weeks of their lives and putting themselves at real risk to save somebody who hasn't asked for their help. I'm blown away by what they do," said Forman.