Talk'n the Beat

On this edition of Talk’n the Beat, Officer Larry Reynolds welcomes guest host Officer Jillian Booker as they sit down with certified peer recovery coach Holly Kotchman to discuss treatment and recovery through the Michigan Department of Corrections’ Recovery, Advocacy, and Program Supports (RAPS). Holly shares her personal journey through addiction, recovery, and rebuilding her life after losing...

In this special episode of Talk’n the Beat, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds sit down with actor Jack Kesy for a conversation that steps outside the usual police topics while still finding some surprising common ground. Kesy, known for roles in Deadpool 2 and Hellboy: The Crooked Man, opens up in a candid and personal conversation about his path into acting. He talks about feeling lost...

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, Officer Larry Reynolds and Sgt. Jassin Hakim sit down with Lt. David Sarvello to talk about a life in law enforcement. Sgt. Hakim, who has previously appeared on the show as a guest, steps in to co-host for this episode alongside Officer Reynolds. As Lt. Sarvello approaches the end of his career, he offers a unique perspective on policing from the other side of...

In this special edition of Talk’n the Beat, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds sit down with Lt. Dave Allen to discuss the Sterling Heights Police Department’s active recruitment campaign. SHPD is seeking to hire 12 new police officers and encourages qualified candidates to apply. To connect directly with potential applicants, the department will host two Recruitment Nights on March 26 a...

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds sit down with Lieutenant Craig Cole to discuss the Sterling Heights Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team, also known as CIT. CIT programs are designed to improve how law enforcement responds to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers complete a specialized 40 hour Crisis Intervention Team tra...

Once in a while, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds take a detour from the usual police discussions to talk with interesting people from around the community and in this episode, that detour happens to be delicious. Because after a shift, you don’t need a citation. You need a meal! In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, the guys sit down with Chef Jared Bobkin, a two time Hell’s Kitchen con...

In this episode of Talk ’ n the Beat , Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds are joined by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Bryan Drake for an eye opening conversation about the growing world of financial crimes and how everyday people can protect themselves. Bryan Drake has spent more than two decades with the FBI, beginning his career with the Special Surveillance Group in 2000 and working c...

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat , Officer Larry Reynolds and Sgt. Kevin Coates sit down with Linda Davis, Executive Director of Face Addiction Now (FAN), to talk about how policing in Sterling Heights has changed over the past decade through a more compassionate response to addiction. Linda shares her personal and professional journey, reflecting on her time as a prosecutor and judge when she b...

Officer Jeremy Walleman has wanted to be a K9 handler since childhood, inspired by his father who worked with a police dog when Jeremy was growing up. But achieving that goal took years of hard work and dedication. A Ferris State graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice, Officer Walleman began his career in Eastpointe in 2004 before joining the Sterling Heights Police Department. Since then, he...

After an extended break, Talk ’ n the Beat returns for Season 3! A lot has changed since the end of Season 2, including Sgt. Kevin Coates’ recent promotion and the arrival of a new chief leading the Sterling Heights Police Department. So, what better way to kick things off than by sitting down with the department’s new top cop? In this episode, Officer Larry Reynolds and Sgt. Kevin Coates welcome...

In the latest episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates have an engaging conversation with City Manager Mark Vanderpool, offering listeners an inside look at the dynamic efforts that keep Sterling Heights running smoothly. From the critical work of the city’s dedicated police and fire departments to the incredible volunteer participation that sets the ci...

In this milestone 25th episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates sit down with Captain Mario Bastianelli to discuss making a difference in the community through innovative policing strategies. Captain Bastianelli's journey in the Sterling Heights Police Department began in traffic before eventually rising through the ranks to Lieutenant, where he se...

In the latest episode of "Talk’n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates sit down with their new boss, Sgt. Michael Zawojsky, a seasoned officer with a remarkable story of resilience and dedication to his hometown of Sterling Heights. Joining the police force in 1999 after participating in the explorer program as a teenager, Sgt. Zawojsky's early career was marked by a d...

In this episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates sit down with Pastor Wesley Woods, one of the Sterling Heights Police Department's two police chaplains, for an inspiring conversation. Pastor Woods shares his story of growing up in a rough neighborhood in Detroit, where his parents broadened his horizons by exposing him to a wider world of possibil...

In this compelling episode of "Talk’n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates engage with Scott Gatto, a former Marine whose service commenced dramatically on the morning of September 11, 2001, as he arrived at his base in Hawaii. His challenging deployment to Iraq, which included fierce combat in Falluja, was just the beginning of his journey. After leaving the service, Scot...

In the latest episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Kevin Coates and Larry Reynolds sit down with Jeremiah Campbell, Treasurer on the executive board of Facing Addiction Now (FAN). Jeremiah's journey is one of resilience and hope, as he shares his personal story of overcoming addiction and loss. As one of the founding members of FAN, Jeremiah has been sober since July 2007 and...

In this episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates sit down with 41A District Court Chief Judge Stephen S. Sierawski. Judge Sierawski, elected in 1998, brings a wealth of experience and insight to the discussion. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Wayne State University Law School, he has dedicated his career to serving the community and uphol...

In this special episode of 'Talk'n the Beat,' Officers Kevin Coates and Larry Reynolds step outside their usual topics to chat with Shaina Allen, the owner and operator of Scooters Coffee. Drawing on the old-fashioned notion of 'walking the beat,' where police officers would engage with local business owners, Officers Coates and Reynolds sit down for an insightful discussi...

In this episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates take a break from hosting guests to dive into a long-awaited question and answer session. Having gathered inquiries from residents throughout the first season, and now well into Season 2, the guys are eager to address a range of topics sent in by the audience. With no subject dismissed as too light or hea...

In this episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates sit down with Sergeant Lamar Kashat from the Sterling Heights Police Department’s Directed Patrol Unit (DPU). Together, they delve into the proactive policing methods employed by the DPU and the importance of effective communication in leadership. Sergeant Kashat's upbringing in Saginaw by Iraqi immi...

In the season 2 premiere of "Talk'n the Beat," Sergeant Aaron Susalla steps in for Officer Kevin Coates alongside Officer Larry Reynolds to welcome Congressman John James to the show. In this engaging episode, Congressman James shares insights into the formative experiences that have shaped his character and values. Drawing from his military background, he reflects on how his time i...

In this compelling episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates engage in an enlightening conversation with Detective Lindsey Pappas from the Youth Services Bureau, where her work primarily revolves around addressing child-related crimes. While delving into the serious aspects of her role, Detective Pappas sheds light on the crucial topic of online child sa...

In this compelling episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates engage in a heartfelt conversation with one of the Sterling Heights Police Department's two new police chaplains, Robert Wendt. Police chaplains like Pastor Robert Wendt play a vital role within law enforcement by offering emotional, moral, and spiritual support to officers, staff, and the...

In this edition of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Coates and Reynolds welcome back Sgt. Hakim. While our previous episode delved into his remarkable military background, this time around, we shift our focus to his pivotal role within the Training Division. Join us as Sgt. Hakim shares his passion for providing top-notch training to fellow officers. He takes us behind the scenes of the...

In the latest episode of "Talk'n the Beat," Officers Larry Reynolds and Kevin Coates host a heartfelt conversation with Lieutenant Dave Allen. With a compelling blend of lighthearted moments and serious, thought-provoking discussions, Lt. Allen shares his journey into law enforcement, driven by a strong desire to serve his community. His stories range from humorous anecdotes to deep...