Shop Talk

Go behind the scenes of Scottsdale Police Department’s social media strategy and discover how content, consistency, and authenticity are helping build real relationships with the community. From engaging posts and behind-the-scenes storytelling to real-time updates and transparency, Scottsdale PD is redefining how law enforcement connects in the digital age. This episode also highlights how the de...

Event season in Scottsdale is more than sunshine, big crowds, and headline events — it’s months (and sometimes years) of planning to keep everyone safe while they’re having fun. In this episode of Shop Talk from the Scottsdale Police Department, Chief Joe LeDuc and Sergeant Allison Sempsis sit down with Commander Matt Evans and Lieutenant Chris DiPiazza, two of the key leaders at the tip of the sp...

Episode 1, Season 2 of Shop Talk with your new host Chief Joe LeDuc Join Kat Palma and Vanessa Villalobos from the Crime Scene Specialist , or CSS. These highly trained professionals are the backbone of criminal investigations, meticulously documenting and collecting evidence that helps bring justice to victims and closure to families. Far from what you see on TV, the real work of a CSS demands pr...

🎙️ Behind the Scenes of the WM Phoenix Open: Shop Talk Podcast with Chief Jeff Walther & Sgt. Allison Sempsis Get ready to tee off with an exclusive look at how the Scottsdale Police Department prepares for one of the biggest events of the year—the WM Phoenix Open! 🏌️‍♂️⛳ In this exciting episode of the Shop Talk Podcast, Chief Jeff Walther and Sgt. Allison Sempsis discuss the planning, teamw...

Erica Gaines is the President and CEO of TacMobility: Controlling the Mind + the Machine , a training program whose vision is to heal the racial divide between people of color (POC) and police officers through law enforcement wellness and community dialogue.  Having met over 100,000 officers since 2013, “The Knife Girl'' has gained wide acceptance into the LEO community. While an unlikely can...

Mr. Daniel Golden, an Arizona Native, joined Department of Public Safety in 1987 where he served for over 30 years.  During his tenure, he held positions in all Bureaus of the Agency.  Aside from the traditional assignment to the Highway Patrol, he held specialty assignments within criminal investigations, undercover operations, executive protection, intelligence, the director’s office,...

Laura Pahules is the founder of Control Alt Delete, a nonprofit dedicated to helping domestic violence survivors escape dangerous situations. Inspired by her own experiences, Laura created the organization to bridge gaps in services, providing immediate assistance with transportation, lodging, and safety. Since its founding in 2019, Control Alt Delete has facilitated over 30,000 escapes in Arizona...

Scottsdale Police Foundation (SPF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raises funds to support and supplement Scottsdale Police Department programs and initiatives.  The Scottsdale Police Foundation was established in 2023 to support the Scottsdale Police Department area commands, special units, equipment, training, and community engagement programs and initiatives and crime prevention...

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed episode as we gear up for the upcoming K9 Trials! This annual event is not just a competition but a celebration of the skill, dedication, and teamwork that defines ALECA’s K9 units. We’ll be talking with participants, events, and spectators to give you an insider’s view of what it takes to compete in these high-stakes trials. Discover how these trials hone the sk...

Katie Gregory, the new General Manager of WestWorld, brings over 30 years of experience in public management to Scottsdale. Before joining WestWorld, Katie served as Prescott’s City Manager, and she has held various key positions in Peoria, including Deputy City Manager. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in political science from Western Oregon University and a master’s de...

Since October 2007, Nicole Patterson has been a dedicated Detention Supervisor in Scottsdale. Originally from New York, she's the youngest of eight, with a passion for the Dallas Cowboys, Yankees, and Lakers. A true dog lover, Nicole enjoys life with her 3-year-old red Doberman, Buddy. Snacks are her jam!!! Kelvin Rawlins grew up in Oxnard, California before coming to Arizona in 2005. Sports has a...

Dom Vattuone grew up Germantown, Maryland, played varsity baseball for UNC Greensboro Spartans, spent three and a half seasons in the minor leagues with the Oakland Athletics before starting with Scottsdale PD in 2016 where he currently serves as a member of the Downtown District Bike Unit. During his professional career posted 84 strikeouts in 78.1 innings pitched all out of the bullpen as a set...

The Thunderbirds, hosts of the WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison, have named George Thimsen the Tournament Chairman for the 2024 edition of “The People’s Open”, which is set to tee it up Feb. 5-11 at TPC Scottsdale. Additionally, The Thunderbirds announced that Matt Mooney has been named Assistant Tournament Chairman for the 2024 event. Thimsen assumes the role of Tournament Chairman af...

Alessandra “Alex” Sachs is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, but grew up in the US and France. In 1993, she moved back to Brazil and pursued an undergraduate degree in Physical Education at FEFISA. She followed with a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology at UNIFMU, where she worked under Brazil’s top Sports Psychology, Dr. Regina Brandao. In 2000, her Master’s thesis was...

Joe Iturri brings nearly 30 years of hospitality experience to Caesars Republic Scottsdale, previously serving as General Manager of Saguaro Scottsdale for nine years, the opening Director of Sales and Marketing at W Scottsdale for six years, and Regional Director of Revenue Management for all of Starwood’s Southwest hotels for 13 years. During his tenure with Starwood, he was also a leader in the...

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a period dedicated to discussing measures that can guide those affected towards understanding the situation and finding avenues to escape harmful circumstances. Data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reveals that over 10 million adults in the United States face domestic violence each year. Closer to home, Scottsdale’s Victim Serv...

Sarah Kearney leads Blue Zones Project Scottsdale as the Executive Director. Her leadership experience is diverse and rooted in community well-being, service, and forward-thinking optimism. She most recently worked for Experience Scottsdale, whose mission is to enhance the Scottsdale community through tourism. In Sarah’s 16+ year tenure at the organization, she held several leadership roles and sp...

Chris and Jihae Watson have been married for 18 years and they have 7 amazing children ranging from age 7 to 30. Chris and Jihae have been actively involved in the foster/adoptive community since 2015 and Chris currently serves as the president on the boards of the Jaxon Foundation and Men’s Practice. Jihae is an HR generalist for Showit Inc in Chandler, where she has worked for the past seven yea...

John Loleit has been with the City since 2000 after spending 25 years with the National Park Service. He has his spent entire career in the Northern part of the Preserve starting with the opening of Pinnacle Peak Park in 2002. When Browns Ranch Trailhead opened in 2013 he moved there and most recently to the new trailhead at Pima Dynamite. As a Natural Resources Supervisor,  his job is consta...

Chris Henningson starting as a Cadet in 1998, then served as a parking control checker and police aide, and evolved to a crime analyst, he's now leading the groundbreaking team of the Scottsdale Police departments Real Time Crime Center. He is also the National President of the real Time Crime Center Association https://www.nrtcca.org/

Akil Davis, a former officer in the Scottsdale Police Department back in 1999, who embarked on a new path after a few years, embracing a captivating career with the prestigious FBI. Davis is a 17-year veteran with the FBI. He served in Palm Springs, Los Angeles and Kabul, and has investigated organized crime, drug trafficking, violent crime, human trafficking and crimes against children....

Experience Scottsdale President & CEO Rachel Sacco has been an integral part of the highly regarded Arizona destination marketing organization since 1986. She joined the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce that year to lead its tourism division, which became the convention and visitors bureau in 1987. In 2001, Experience Scottsdale – then known as the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Burea...

Detective Tom Houk joined the Scottsdale Police Department in February 2000 after spending time playing and coaching professional baseball in the minor league. He spent 6 years in the minor leagues and, in 1990 led the Gulf Coast League with a .344 ba! Tom went from patrolling the baseball diamond to patrolling the streets of Scottsdale until February 2007 when he joined the Traffic Enforcement Se...

Executive Managing Director Pat is the Managing Director of the Phoenix Tenant Representation Group and is responsible for all day-to-day operations. He represents clients in facility and site acquisition. His responsibilities include marketing, strategy implementation, site evaluation and selection, detailed financial analysis and lease review and negotiations. His technical knowledge of the real...

Human Trafficking is a growing danger in Arizona and it could be going on right next to you. Join Chief Walther and Sgt Quon as they talk to a panel of experts on this important topic. Lissa Druss, Cav., OSI Founder + CEO https://www.teamstrategia.com/ For more than 30 years, Lissa has established a powerful reputation– from Los Angeles to Chicago and New York – as a highly seasoned communications...