APD Pod Squad

Send us Fan Mail October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in this episode, Lt. Diana Loveland from the Criminal Investigations Division, who works closely with the Family Justice Center. We’ll hear all about the great work they’re doing for survivors.  Doug Oeser, the Director of Data Accountability and Crime Analysis, discusses the large role data plays in APD’s approach to community pol...

Send us Fan Mail One year ago, our lives were turned upside down courtesy of Hurricane Helene, the aftereffects of which we’ll be feeling for years to come. But along with horrible tragedy came stories of bravery and heroism by Officers and Detectives of the APD. We’ll be hearing some of those firsthand stories in this episode, as I’m joined by Senior Police Officers Beau Baley, Jose Amaya, and Wi...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 2! The APD Pod Squad launched on August 24th, 2024, just over one year ago. In this episode, the first of Season 2, we look back at the past year with Chief of Police Mike Lamb, Deputy Chief Sean Aardema, and Deputy Chief Jackie Stepp. Hurricane Helene dominated the headlines, of course, but the past year was so much more than that. We moved forward in many ways,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Getting To Know Senior Police Officer Robert Crume, who recently saved a dog from drowning in a backyard pool. We'll learn what happened that day and the latest on the rescued dog.  August is National Black Business Month, and Detective Shawn Parker will tell us how his love for cigars led to his new business venture, which celebrated its grand opening on Jul...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, getting to know Sgt. Ricardo Martinez of Recruitment and Career Development. His hard work is a big reason that staffing numbers are looking up. Also, Senior Police Officer Preston Grondahl, who happens to be left-handed. With International Left-Handers Day on August 13th, he seemed like an obvious choice to be a guest.  SPO Grondahl began his law enforcement jour...

Send us Fan Mail August 1st is National Girlfriend's Day, which celebrates the special bond of friendship between girls, whether sisters or mothers, classmates or co-workers. In this episode, coworkers Senior Police Officer Madison Johnson and Senior Police Officer Angelica LaFemina discuss their close friendship and what it means, both on the job and off.  In Asheville, there are history tou...

Send us Fan Mail July is National Culinary Arts Month. In this episode, Cadet Trainee Julian Lanier tells us about his parents, who were both chefs, how that rubbed off, and his favorite food to prepare. Lanier was a recent BLET graduate at AB Tech, along with 14 others who will soon be patrolling our streets. The next class will be even bigger and taught exclusively by APD instructors! Chief Mike...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode…we wish a happy belated Father’s Day to Senior Police Officer, Ryan Begley, who became a Dad for the first time one day before Hurricane Helene arrived in Western North Carolina. We'll hear all about those first few crazy days as a new Dad and how his daughter is doing 9 months later. Senior Police Officer Ann Aiken is also a guest. You might know her as Annie...

Send us Fan Mail June is Student Safety Month, and in this episode, Sgt. Craig Loveland discusses the valuable and rewarding work of our Student Resource Officers and his unique side hustle, which includes a strict "no Macarena" policy.  Flag Day is observed on June 14th, and Sgt. Josh Veridal shares what it means to be a part of the APD Honor Guard and why you probably have never met an...

Send us Fan Mail May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The last 8 months have been particularly stressful for everyone in Western North Carolina, as we continue to cope with the fallout from Hurricane Helene. During the storm and the days and weeks that followed, many stepped up and went the extra mile to support officers and their mental wellness. We'll talk with four of them, Sgt. Brandon S...

Send us Fan Mail National Police Week begins May 11th, and in this episode​, Lt. Evan Coward and Lt. Geoffrey Rollins discuss participating in the Police Unity Tour , a 250-mile bicycle ride to honor the fallen that takes place every year. Also, "Getting to Know" Wellness Coordinator Matthew Eichman , as we celebrate Global Employee Health & Fitness Month in May. We'll hear abou...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode​, "Getting to Know" Captain Janice Hawkins from the Finance and Support Division. Also, Officer Isiah Senyak with the latest from the Community Engagement Division. The "History Minute with Hannah Silberman” features a line-of-duty death from 1972. And, Chief Mike Lamb answers your questions in another edition of "Ask The Chief".

Send us Fan Mail In this episode​, we celebrate April as Scottish-American Heritage Month with Retired Officer Keith McCulloch, who has been with the APD for 37 years. April is also Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and we'll explore that with Sergeant Scott Fry. Also, Captain Jonathan Brown with the latest from the Community Engagement Division. And, in another "History Minute with Ha...

Send us Fan Mail September 27, 2024, is a day never to be forgotten in Western North Carolina. The devastation wrought by what's been described as a geological event changed the landscape and the people that call the mountains their home. On the 6-month anniversary of Hurricane Helene, it's a Special Edition of the APD Pod Squad, with Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb, Asheville Fire Depa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, as we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, we’ll feature the first female Deputy Chief at the Asheville Police Department, Jackie Stepp. Hannah Silberman tells the story of the first sworn female officer at the APD in the “History Minute”. Retired Lieutenant Rae Ferguson looks back at the multiple firsts she accomplished in her long career. And Senior...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode​, as we celebrate March as Women's History Month, in the Getting To Know segment, learn what unique distinction SPO Mackenzie Galyean has earned. Officer Debbie LeCroy and Officer Kora both have something to say about the latest in the Community Engagement Division. In the "History Minute with Hannah Silberman", we look back at the women who joined t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, as we continue celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Asheville Police Department, "Getting To Know" the longest-tenured employee of the APD, Detective Sonia Escobedo. Hannah Silberman is back with another "History Minute". Retired APD Lieutenant Jon Kirkpatrick discusses before/during/after the 1986 Michael John Shornock manhunt. And Officer...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, as ​we continue to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Asheville Police Department, we introduce "The History Minute with Hannah Silberman".  We'll get to know one of our newest officers, Emily Pontiakos.  Captain ​Brandon Moore shares groundbreaking news about the APD Drone Program.  And CRO Carrie Lee joins us to share the latest news and activ...

Send us Fan Mail The Asheville Police Department was officially established in 1875, making 2025 our 150th Anniversary. In this episode, with a nod to history, we get to know the longest-tenured Senior Police Officer, Tracy Edmonds.  Accreditation Manager Hannah Silberman joins us to talk about a book she's writing about the history of the APD.  Captain Joe Silberman sits down to discuss a co...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 10, Lt. James Boyce of Recruitment and Development, shares good news about the incoming class of recruits, our largest in over 5 years. The Holiday Booze It And Lose It campaign is underway. Led by the NC Governor's Highway Safety Program, Sgt. Hunter Welborn discusses how the APD has embraced and supported it. And, with the holiday season upon us, it's a busy...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we find out what's happening in the Community Engagement Division from Senior Police Officer Christopher Strumolo, "Getting To Know" Sgt. Jonathan Collins, and the latest edition of "Ask The Chief" with Chief Mike Lamb.

Send us Fan Mail In this special edition of the 𝐀𝐏𝐃 𝐏𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟, 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, Capt. Brandon Moore joins us for a conversation about the vital role of drones during search and recovery in the days and weeks following Helene. We need to thank the companies that stepped up and offered assistance in providing vital information and saving lives: Airworx, Skydio,...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of the 𝐀𝐏𝐃 𝐏𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟, 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, we sit down with the Mayor of Asheville, Esther Manheimer. It's been a month of trials and triumphs, challenges and champions, following the devastating storms of Helene that changed our lives and Asheville forever. Mayor Esther Manheimer has seen all of it up close and from...

Send us Fan Mail Special Edition Episode 3; 𝐀𝐏𝐃 𝐏𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟, 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 includes the latest on garbage and debris collection, water and power restoration, plus a conversation with Chief of Police Mike Lamb. His thoughts on the historic flooding, rescue efforts, the heroic actions of his officers, and more. 

Send us Fan Mail The latest episode of 𝐀𝐏𝐃 𝐏𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟, 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 is now available. The latest on garbage collection, water restoration, and more. Plus, a conversation with Capt. Joe Silberman of the APD Criminal Investigations Division. Our Detectives have been solving homicides, locating missing persons, and saving lives, during this historic event.