On Being a Police Officer

I talk with an officer from a mid-sized agency in the Pacific NW who has been on for just under two years. We talk about why she recently changed careers to become a police officer and what it’s like having joined at this challenging time for LE. Given the location of her department, she has not been on the front lines of riots and protests. But she is battling an assault on a personal level, in h...

For National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, January 9, I’m sharing a short collection of quotes from the first set of interviews I did with officers in 2020. I am a civilian doing this podcast to give law enforcement a voice at this difficult time. My goal is to tell the real stories of LE to shine a light on your commitment, sacrifice and the good things you do every day.  #NationalLawEnf...

Metro Transit Bus Driver Eric Stark is widely hailed as a hero in Seattle for his quick thinking and actions to save his passengers after he was shot while driving his bus in North Seattle on March 27, 2019. Eric recounts the harrowing ordeal and credits two Seattle Police Officers with saving his life. After receiving a Seattle PD Challenge Coin from then Chief Carmen Best, Eric decided to create...

Lt. Christopher Cook, Public Information Officer for the Arlington Police Department in Texas has a unique perspective on issues facing police departments around the country because he is involved in three of the largest police and communications organizations in the world: Major Cities Chiefs, The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Information Officers Association. &nb...

As we give thanks this time of year, I am sharing what one Colorado citizen and his wife and friends are doing to step out of being the silent majority into the vocal majority by taking active steps to show their support for officers in their area – and for all law enforcement.  To all officers and your families and friends, I hope you’ll take a moment to enjoy this simple and heartfelt thank...

Retired LAPD Det. Moses Castillo discusses civil unrest in Los Angeles and the calls from city officials to defund LAPD the impact of which, as in other markets, affects not only their ability to respond to calls, but also demoralizes officers. A 30-year veteran of the department, he started out during the Rodney King riots, and he compares the social unrest then and now. He also discusses some of...

A Seattle citizen sends a very personal message of thanks to the Seattle Police officers who saved his life after a drive-by shooting two years ago this month. He tells his story not only to share his gratitude for all law enforcement, but also to help others see the good that officers do, the stories that don’t make news. As you will hear, he also is raising funds for two groups: YMCA’s Alive and...

Ep. 3 Former Seattle Police Officer looks back at 40-year career; his experience as a Black man in life and in law enforcement; the issues facing society and LE today; why he became a police officer, the people he remembers and the rewards of the job.  

Chief from a Pacific NW agency shares his views on steps law enforcement can take to win back public trust. We discuss bias and de-escalation training and how the best-trained officers are the least likely to use force; and we look at the viability of the co-responder model. He talks about how the Rodney King incident nearly caused him to leave the profession and his reaction to George Floyd. He d...

Ep. 1 Seattle TV reporter Linda Byron shares the significance of the Seattle Police Department’s loss of its first Black female police Chief when Carmen Best suddenly resigns. (6:15 min). An SPD sergeant reacts to Best's news, to the murder of George Floyd, and he describes what it’s like on the front lines of the riots that have plagued the city for weeks. He reflects on hope for law enforcement,...

We all have feelings about cops.  Here's a short trailer on why I'm asking questions and telling their stories, the stories that you don't see in the news..