Running Code

Episode 29 of Running Code features South Precinct Patrol Officer Samantha Stamp. Officer Stamp discusses how being an officer was always her life-long dream, her prior stint in the Air Force, her love of training horses, and much more.

K9 Officer Nicholas Kelly is featured on the 28th edition of Running Code. Officer Kelly is the son of a former NNPD Assistant Chief who was also a K9 officer. In this show, Officer Kelly talks about his new four-legged partner, what it was like growing up the son of an NNPD officer and how it shaped his career goals.

Captain Terrence Dunbar has done a bit of it all in his lengthy professional career. From seeing the world, including jumping out of an aircraft as crew chief of the Golden Knights, to appearing on an episode of COPS with NNPD, this 20-year veteran of the Department has had a decorated career. He talks about these topics and much more in this edition of Running Code.

Valerie Atkinson, Public Safety Communications Supervisor from the Newport News Emergency Communications Center, is our guest on this episode of Running Code. A 25-year veteran of the 911 center, Atkinson discusses what led her to become a dispatcher, her most memorable call for service, why she enjoys training new dispatchers, what she still enjoys about her job and what it’s like being married t...

Chief Steve Drew is the guest for Episode 25 of Running Code. In his far-reaching conversation, Chief talks about his life growing up in Ohio, how his 30+ year career in law enforcement, his vision for NNPD and more. And he may make mention of his love of Ohio sports teams once or twice!

Captain Wayne Spencer is our guest for episode 24 of Running Code. Capt. Spencer is a 28-year veteran of NNPD, having served in a variety of roles with the department. In this show, he talks about his family’s history in law enforcement, his work in some key investigative roles with NNPD, his baseball background and police softball career, and much, much more.

Assistant Chief Eric Hires joins us for Episode 23 of the Running Code podcast. Chief Hires talks about his upbringing as a preacher’s kid in rural Georgia, his career in the military and transition to NNPD, leadership and learning, and much more in this latest show.

In this episode of Running Code, we meet Sgt. Andrew Lou from NNPD’s North Precinct and Tactical Operations Unit. In this wide-ranging conversation, Sgt. Lou talks about his Chinese heritage, his unexpected start to his law enforcement career, his love of fitness, canines and cosplay, and more.

Lt. Thomas Spence is the featured guest in this episode of Running Code. In this show, he talks about how he had never planned to become a cop until a memorable ride-along one night changed his whole outlook. He also talks about his experience in the training academy, his division’s important work in the city, his passion for law enforcement, and much more.

Detective Anne O'Neill is our guest in the 20th installment of Running Code. Now a detective in NNPD's Aggravated Assault Unit, Detective O'Neill talks about how she joined NNPD, her new assignment, her role as an instructor in NNPD's Training Academy, and her love of fine dining.

Officer Tiffany Williams is our guest in this episode of Running Code! Officer Williams has served with NNPD for approximately 2 years. She became interested in law enforcement after tragedy struck her family when she was young. Her dream of becoming an officer was delayed, but not denied. In this show, she talks about her unconventional career path, her desire to help people, her career goals, be...

Sgt. Michael Goss is featured in this episode of Running Code. The supervisor of NNPD's high school SRO unit, Sgt. Goss talks about NNPD's relationship with youth, his career path, his love for dad jokes and his work with the NNPD Honor Guard.

Forensic Specialist Kelly Wells is our guest in this episode of Running Code. Wells talks about her 20+ years with NNPD, starting off as a records technician before transitioning to the Forensic Services Unit. In this show, she discusses what it takes to be a good crime scene investigator, her somewhat unconventional route to get to where she is, and how she deals with the stress of the job.

Lt. Kevin Rogers is the guest in the latest episode of Running Code. After seven years in the Air Force, this New York native found a home in Hampton Roads and joined the NNPD in 1997. He has served in numerous units throughout the department, and now serves as the lieutenant over the Internal Affairs Division. In that role, he serves as a mentor and coach to NNPD officers, while also making sure...

Episode 15 features North Precinct Patrol Officer Donte Hobbs. He has served with NNPD for just over two years and feels that law enforcement, and helping youth, is his calling. He didn’t always know that to be true – Officer Hobbs has overcome a number of hurdles in his life to get where he is today, which he discusses in this show. He also talks about his self-help book, How Badly Do You Want It...

MPO Aaron Watkins has served with NNPD for more than 13 years. He is currently assigned to the Recruiting Division, but previously worked in patrol, as a business relations officer, and an SRO. In this episode, he talks about his past assignments, his focus on community policing, and mentoring the youth of today.

Episode 13 features Misty Mercer, who has more than 40 years of experience with NNPD. From working patrol in the 1980s, to a distinguished career as a detective, investigator Mercer came out of retirement to serve as a part-time investigator with NNPD’s newly-formed Cold Case Unit, which works to solve older homicide cases.

Episode 12 of Running Code features J.P. Smith. A 24-year veteran of NNPD, Capt. Smith currently oversees the Support Services Division, which includes the records division, training, recruiting and property and evidence units. Capt. Smith also talks about his recently published book and his work on NNPD's CISM Team.

MPO Skip Blanchard is our guest in Episode 11. The self-proclaimed oldest officer on NNPD, Blanchard got his start in policing in 1983 and currently services as the SRO at Warwick High. In this show, he talks about building relationships with people, mentoring younger officers, and much more.

In this episode, Lt. Churchill joins the show. One of our long-time leaders in North Precinct, Lt. Churchill is also the Commander and an 18-year member of the Tactical Operations Unit, a family man and a key voice in the area of officer health and wellness.

In this episode, Sgt. Jeffery Hollandsworth joins the show. He discusses his 21-year career with NNPD, which has included stints in South Precinct, notable assignments with the Tactical Operations Unit (SWAT Team), and now as one of the leaders of the NNPD Training Academy.

In this episode of Running Code, Det. Tesfaya Campbell from the Major Crimes Division is our guest. Det. Campbell talks about his career in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning to the NNPD, the importance of mental health and family, and making the most of second chances. Also, lots of pop culture references.

In this episode of Running Code, we feature Officer Wilfredo Reyes from NNPD's South Precinct. Officer Reyes, a five-year veteran of the department, talks about his New York roots, what drew him to law enforcement, the Hispanic/Latino community in Newport News, and the importance of family.

Our latest installment of Running Code features a homegrown product of Newport News, Assistant Chief Brandon Creswell. The Newport News native has served with NNPD for more than 20 years, working numerous and varied assignments before rising through the ranks to Assistant Chief in 2020. Among other topics, Chief Creswell talks about his family’s history in Newport News, some of his most enjoyable...

In the next installment of Running Code, our hosts have a chat with Sgt. Kevin Mallette. Sgt. Mallette was formerly in the U.S. Marine Reserves before starting what is now a 17-plus-year career with NNPD. He currently serves in the Recruiting Division. He shares about his career journey here. Sgt. Mallette even shares a funny story about a call for service he had with Capt. Tietjens, while the cap...