Running Code

Newly promoted lieutenant Kevin Nichol joins us for episode 59 of the Running Code podcast. A 19-year veteran with NNPD, Lt. Nichol talks about the variety of roles he has held in patrol, investigative and specialty units. He also discusses what kind of leader he wants to be, his love of playing and coaching baseball, and more.

Laphea Morrison’s whole adult life to this point has been one of service. From joining the Air Force when he was 17, to 20+ years as a youth football coach and now five years into his NNPD career, Det. Morrison has made his impact on the community in a variety of ways. Hear more about his career and interests and what it’s like being a “girl dad” in this episode of Running Code.

If you asked a young Kahlia Walker where she’d be at 22 years old, serving as an NNPD officer probably wouldn’t have been her guess. But after a recommendation from her admittedly police-averse father, Officer Walker joined the department in 2025 and hasn’t looked back. In this episode of the Running Code podcast, Officer Walker discusses how the job has already impacted her in positive ways, her...

How does a man with a suspect driving record and aversion to police end up a respected sergeant and driving instructor for NNPD? Give a nod to his significant other. Sgt. Deaver is the guest on this episode of Running Code podcast. He talks about his unlikely road to becoming a police officer in this episode, his love for motorcycles, serving in the NNPD Honor Guard, his family and much more.

From growing up in The Philippines to careers in the Navy and then with NNPD, Sgt. Tommy Allen has exemplified professionalism. On this episode of the Running Code podcast, Sgt. Allen talks about the fulfillment he found in his detective roles, his newer responsibility as a patrol sergeant, and the importance of fitness and presentation.

Sergeant, soon-to-be Lieutenant, Richard Thweatt is our next guest on the Running Code podcast. While his assignments have varied over a career spanning nearly 30 years, some things have remained consistent for Sgt. Thweatt: his commitment to community and his desire to help mentor and train the younger officers in the department.

Det. Carl Neidengard is the guest in Episode 52 of the Running Code podcast. His adult life has been marked by several leaps of faith. Seventeen years ago, he moved across country to begin a law enforcement career with NNPD. Since then, he has moved to a homestand to raise a menagerie of goats, chickens and geese, in addition to taking on roles as a church deacon and Troopmaster with Trail Life US...

Officer Greymi Zapata, a 5-year veteran of NNPD, is the featured guest on the 51st episode of the Running Code podcast. The native of the Dominican Republic moved to Newport News at age 11 and became interested in a law enforcement career while attending college. Now, she faithfully serves Newport News’ South Precinct, often serves as a Spanish-speaking translator for the department while interact...

We reach a big milestone – the Running Code podcast airs its 50th episode. To commemorate this achievement, we had to bring on a special guest, and Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones was kind enough to join us. In this far-ranging discussion, Mayor Jones talks about his military service and its influence on his current role, the importance of public safety in city policy, the future of Newport News,...

School Resource Officer Keeyson Hughes is the guest on this week’s Running Code podcast. Officer Hughes has the distinction of not only serving the city of Newport News, but also serving his country as a reservist in the U.S. Army. After recently returning from deployment, he has resumed his role of working in the city’s schools.

Lt. Michael Sinclair’s career with NNPD has been a diverse one, not unlike many officers in the city. From stints in patrol and investigations, to heading up the NNPD Training Academy, Crisis Negotiations Team, to now overseeing the department’s Real Time Crime Center, Lt. Sinclair has had his hands in many fascinating areas of policing. In the latest Running Code podcast, Lt. Sinclair talks about...

Now in his 20th year with the department, Sgt. J.J. Thompson has held key roles in patrol and investigative units. He currently is a Sergeant over the Aggravated Assault Unit. In this episode, Sgt. Thompson talks about his route to joining NNPD, his favorite assignments, managing the stresses of the job, his family, and more.

When Adrienne Walker was working her job at a fitness center years ago, she held the belief that there weren’t many women in law enforcement. When she started encountering female deputies at the job, her perception started to change, and set the stage for her to find her calling. Now, approximately 20 years into her career in law enforcement, Walker is a sergeant in NNPD’s Community and Youth Outr...

Det. Sophat Nou wears many hats – from solving property crimes in North Precinct, to his work with NNPD’s Drone Unit, to educating the public on avoiding financial scams, Det. Nou has served the city with distinction for 19 years. Away from the office, he stays similarly busy – dedicated husband and father, ordained minister, avid cyclist and amateur guitarist. In the latest edition of the Running...

Sergeant Brett Cline has served with NNPD for 15 years following a lengthy stint in the U.S. Navy. Sgt. Cline talks about growing up in a family with six siblings, his time as a scholarship swimmer and love of surfing, and much more in this episode.

Episode 43 of Running Code features recent academy graduate Kelly Hernandez. Following a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy and several years as a 911 dispatcher, Hernandez took a leap of faith and joined NNPD last year. In this podcast, she discusses the transition from military to civilian life, what led her to become an officer, and her challenges in NNPD’s training academy.

Episode 42 of Running Code features Detective Maria Toch. A Northern Virginia native who majored in psychology at CNU, Det. Toch originally envisioned herself working in social work or private practice in the mental health field, but found the perfect combination of all of her interests at NNPD. She discusses her career path, her love of teaching, her many roles at NNPD and much more in this episo...

Lieutenant Thomas Peregrine didn’t have police work on his radar, but a visit by a former NNPD detective to Peregrine’s family-run nail salon started to set in motion a change of careers for the Hampton native. In this episode of Running Code, Lt. Peregrine talks about his unconventional career path, the camaraderie he’s formed at NNPD, and much more. ▶ Click here to view the latest Running Code:...

NNPD Detective Kylee McDonough is the featured guest on Episode 40 of Running Code. In this podcast, she discusses her quick rise from patrol to investigations, her Newport News roots, and her love of travel.

NNPD Special Victims Unit supervisor Sgt. Steven Stepp is the next featured guest on our podcast, Running Code. Sgt. Stepp, who grew up in Newport News, always had a service-minded career in mind, and has thrived in several fast-paced roles at NNPD – including High Impact Patrol, Tactical Operations Unit and investigator prior to his current assigned in SVU. He talks about his journey thus far, hi...

Officer Muhammad Powell from NNPD’s South Precinct is our next guest on Running Code. Officer Powell had an idea he wanted to be an officer when he was younger and became the only person in his immediate family not to join the military. Since, he has already taken on leadership role within his precinct and looks forward to continuing his family’s legacy of discipline and leadership.

Lieutenant Cornelius Webster, who currently oversees NNPD’s Training Academy, joins us for this edition of the Running Code podcast. This Newport News native talks about growing up in the city, his football playing and coaching background, and what he is doing now to help mold the future officers of NNPD.

Our next guest on Running Code is Captain Randy Cupp, a veteran of more than 20 years with NNPD. The long-time Newport News resident had the unique experience of growing up in the city, graduating from CNU and then getting to patrol and oversee many of the same neighborhoods he grew up in. Now, he oversees NNPD’s Special Investigations Division. He talks about his favorite assignments, his militar...

Officer Tyson sits down in the hot seat for this edition of Running Code. A Portsmouth native, Officer Tyson is a recent graduate of NNPD’s Training Academy and serves the South Precinct. In this week’s show, she talks about her lifelong dream of becoming a police officer and her future goals.

Episode 34 of Running Code features Lt. Jessica Collins, who has served with NNPD for 23 years. Lt. Collins discusses her previous stint as a 911 dispatcher, some of her favorite assignments, her shenanigans with Lt. Morgan, and more. Also, Capt. Tietjens talks about his recent retirement and future plans.