On Being a Police Officer

Ep. 44  B.C. Sanders is widely known for his expertise in gang culture based on insights he draws from 20 years in law enforcement. He is with a large agency in the southeastern United States and has served on a number of units in addition to gang including drug unit, aggravated assault, homicide and more.B.C. began studying the inner workings of gangs from the time he was a rookie patrol officer when “gangs were just taking off in the South.” He went straight to the source – gang members themselves – to understand why they form and how they operate. We talk about types of gangs, how they recruit, the people who join them and how gangs have evolved over time. We discuss their hand signals, graffiti and bandanas known as flags, and initiations called jump-ins. We also look at how a Gang Unit operates proactively to cultivate sources and informants to stop the violence and make arrests, but also to build relationships based on mutual respect to help show these young men and women the path they are on is a path to death or prison and that there is another way.B.C. was one of several officers featured in James Patterson’s book “Walk the Blue Line.” In it, he talks about the classes he designs and teaches to other officers as well as to civilians. “Each gang is different, as is each gang member. I apply my psychology degree to figure out why these guys do what they do.”B.C. taps his experience in law enforcement and combines it with his love of music and of skateboarding into a fascinating podcast he co-hosts with his buddy Ski called “The Disruptors Podcast with B.C. and Ski.” They interview everyone from members of punk bands, to a reformed Nazi Skinhead, to an expert in situational awareness and behavioral analysis, to fellow law enforcement officers. And sometimes they just crack each other up with all kinds of stories. You can find it on all podcast platforms. Here is a Apple Podcast link to the podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptors-podcast-with-b-c-ski/id1636995899Follow them on Instagram: @the_disruptors_podcast Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 43 I’m joined by Detective Daniel Carr who has been in law enforcement for more than 17 years with a large agency in the southwestern United States. Daniel also holds a Master's Degree in criminal justice and a law degree, both of which he earned while being a full-time police officer. Many of you know Daniel as the creator of Police Law News – video and written content that honestly examines police incidents, police policy, law, culture and, in my opinion, addresses civilian misperceptions of law enforcement. All of it is thought provoking, well researched and insightful. You can find his video content on all social media platforms and his very well-written articles on Substack. His videos on TikTok alone have garnered him more than 135,000 followers.  (Links below).In this interview, we look at a range of issues and incidents including several officer involved shootings that Daniel has covered on Police Law News, as well as some other cases I asked him to review with me. We engage in an open-minded and thoughtful examination without judgement. Of particular importance is the wrongful conviction of Officer Christopher Schurr of the Grand Rapids Police Department following his use of deadly force while engaged in a life-threatening hand-to-hand confrontation with a subject who had stolen Officer Schurr’s Taser. Officer Schurr has been charged with second-degree murder and will stand trial in October. You can get updates and show your support for him and his family through the Facebook “Stand With Schurr” page. We contrast and compare this with the somewhat similar conviction, later overturned, of Officer Garrett Rolfe, who also was threatened with a Taser by a fleeing subject in Atlanta. Within our review of these incidents, we discuss the impact of media bias, the public’s misperception of use of force and why officers “can’t just shoot the knife out of someone’s hand.”We talk about Daniel’s career in law enforcement as he nears retirement – why he chose police work, the incidents and the people he remembers and the rewards of the job. To find Daniel’s work on social media, go to any platform and simply search for Police Law News. Here are some handy links as well:FacebookInstagramTikTok, Twitter, YouTube and Substack Newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/policelawnewsDaniel’s Substack breakdown of Officer Schurr’s incidentStand With Schurr GRPDDaniel’s Substack breakdown of the Justice for Jaheim Go Fund Me issueThe insightful breakdown I mention of the initial traffic stop in the Tyre Nichols case: Drew Breasy Uncuffed: A Cop Reviews Tyre Nichols Use of Force CaseThanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going. If you are so inclined, please drop me a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps build the audience!Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 42 Join me on this ride of an episode with Eric Tansey, co-creator and host of Failure to Stop (FTS) and former Raleigh Police Department officer from 2012 to 2019. If you follow Eric on FTS, then you know he is a high-energy, highly-engaging storyteller. And nowhere is that more evident than in his soon-to-be released book, “PIG LATIN, a serious – but funny – true story.” I had the opportunity to read an advance manuscript and talk with Eric about some of the crazy and as well as poignant stories in the book.We discuss why he got into LE following his service in Special Ops as a US Army Paratrooper from 2003 to 2010.  We get into a few dramatic incidents which include totaling his car after hydroplaning during a pursuit; having his leg broken while fighting with a murder suspect (“I got 12 screws, two pins, a plate and a rod in my left leg.”) And the time he took his mother on a ride-along, made a “routine” traffic stop to show her what it’s like, and ended up in one of the most brutal beatings he ever suffered, all with his mom watching.  We also talk about the incident that is one he just can’t shake. And of course, we cover how he was named Officer of the Year only to have his law enforcement career came to an end when he was fired from Raleigh PD in 2019. As he does on FTS, we get into police incidents, the issues facing LE today, the frustrations of the public’s misperceptions of police work, and we revisit a breakdown I was particularly interested in (link to the FTS breakdown below). I couldn’t let him go without discussing his accomplishment of becoming a sommelier, a certified specialist in wine, and opening his distillery, InStill Distilling Company in Clayton, North Carolina which he currently operates. And we talk about the importance of family. YouTube link to FTS breakdown of Akron Police Department an incident that I discussed with Eric.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zpN8TEcSB8Thanks to everyone at Failure To Stop for your support. Here is a list of the FTS shows. All air live on YouTube and repost to YouTube and all podcast platforms.NIGHTSHIFTWith Eric Tansey and Andrea Up LateTuesdays 8pm ETLAST CALLEric Tansey and Josh from Dead Leg MediaWednesdays at noon ET (live for subscribers); replays ThursdayCOMM CENTERDrew Breasy and Jonathan BatesThursdays at 8pm ETCall-in live or leave a voicemail:848-COMM911 or (848)266-6911FAILURE TO STOP BREAKDOWNEric Tansey and Drew BreasyFridays 11am ET You can find Jonathan Bates Illustrator of “PIG LATIN, a serious – but funny – true story.” Instagram @difficulttolookatpicturesAnd let’s not forget Grommett Vommit, the podcast by Eric’s kids.Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 41  Dispatcher/911 call taker and former corrections officer, Jonathan Bates joins me for this episode. Many of you know him as co-host with Drew Breasy on Comm Center, a new show on the Failure to Stop YouTube channel and podcast where they breakdown all elements of a police incident – the 911 calls, dispatch and the police response via body cam footage. As Jon says in our conversation: “You basically see how a problem enters the criminal justice system. A problem exists, someone dials 911 and we start working. It's true crime in real time because we're trying to solve a mystery. We examine the body cam footage of the police officers arriving on scene. How does what we know help the police officers before they get there? How does it affect the outcome? We’re marrying together what it is like from the time the phone rings until the officers get on scene and get the suspect secured. It's definitely the most exciting part of the criminal justice system.” And I will add, it makes for suspenseful viewing and listening, and importantly, it really helps people understand the totality of a police response and the importance of the Comm Center’s support.Jon and I talk about Comm Center the show, but also what it's like to work in a real Comm Center where Jon is a 911 call taker and dispatcher. We'll also be talking about Jon's six and a half years as a correctional officer in a state penitentiary prior to his work in dispatch. Jon sheds light on the importance of both of these professions in our greater law enforcement community. He shares his experience with a mixture of humor and emotion, and he shares insights that are compelling and inspiring. As I do with law enforcement, I also want to shed light on the real stories of these two professions. These are true first responders who have their own level of trauma, their own rewards and importantly their own contribution to society as a whole. Thank you to all of you who do these jobs to help keep the rest of us safe.Comm Center airs live on the Failure To Stop YouTube Channel Thursday evenings at 8pm ET/7pm CT/6pm MT/5pm PT. If you can't watch it live, the show reposts on YouTube and airs as a podcast on all podcast platforms. Call-in live or leave a voicemail: 848-COMM911 or (848)266-6911.FAILURE TO STOP SHOWSAll air live on YouTube and repost to YouTube and all podcast platforms.NIGHTSHIFTWith Eric Tansey and Andrea Up LateTuesdays 8pm ETLAST CALLEric Tansey and Josh from Dead Leg MediaWednesdays at noon ETCOMM CENTERDrew Breasy and Jonathan BatesThursdays at 8pm ETCall-in live or leave a voicemail:848-COMM911 or (848)266-6911FAILURE TO STOP BREAKDOWNEric Tansey and Drew BreasyFridays 11am ET Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 40 Joining me is Nate Silvester, known as The Officer Nate and the guy who took on LeBron James' anti-police rhetoric via TikTok. Nate was in law enforcement just over 12 years, first with the Twin Falls, Idaho Police Department from 2006 to 2018, and then with the Bellevue, Idaho Marshal's Office which he joined in December, 2020. Just a few months later on April 24, 2021, Nate posted a TikTok in which he is pretending to seek advice from LeBron James on how to handle an imaginary disturbance involving two men wielding knives. To say the video went viral would be an understatement. Shared around the world, the TikTok resulted in Nate’s losing his job and a firestorm of social media backlash including threats against his and his family’s lives. Nate's TikTok was in reaction to LeBron’s tweet at Columbus, Ohio Police Officer Nicholas Reardon. On April 20, 2021 Officer Reardon responded to a chaotic scene in which he used deadly force to stop 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant from stabbing another girl.LeBron's tweet included a photo of Officer Reardon and the text, "YOU'RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY." Some considered this a reference to Dereck Chauvin; others viewed it as calling for the murder of Officer Reardon. James later deleted the tweet. In March 2022, Officer Reardon was cleared of any wrongdoing. A Franklin County Ohio Grand jury decided the shooting was justifiable and that no crime and been committed.While the blowback for Officer Nate was fierce, the support he received from friends, fellow officers, and civilians from around the country sustained him. He has since written a memoir, “Never Off Duty” which covers not only the TikTok and its impact, but also Nate’s work as a police officer and detective, and insights on law enforcement as a profession including dispelling widely-held myths. We talk about why he became a police officer, what the job gave and took from him, his struggle with PTSD and the lonely journey to get counseling, all of which he details in the book. Nate also has a podcast, website, several social media channels and is opening a Chiropractic and Wellness Center (links below). Nate’s “LeBron James” TikTok via YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdzC8sW9MzANate's Website:https://www.bluelivesfoundation.org/To order “Never Off Duty”https://www.bluelivesfoundation.org/product-page/never-off-dutyNate's Social Media handles:TikTok: officernate1.3Instagram: theofficernateYouTube and Facebook: Officer NateThe Officer Nate Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-officer-nate-podcast/id1596866601Nate’s new wellness center: Atmosphere Chiropractic and Wellnesshttps://www.atmospherewellness.com/Thanks for listening. Please don't forget to follow and subscribe. If you are so inclined, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts: in the All Episodes view, scroll all the way to the bottom to find the star rating and Write a Review link. Thanks to those of you who have posted!And find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 39 Returning to the podcast is Sgt. Nick Bauer who was with the Seattle Police Department for 30 years. He retired just under a year ago. He worked many units, including robbery, Major Crimes Task Force and the Force Investigation team. His most recent role was as the sergeant in the Wellness Unit, a role he was in during the 2020 riots which presented an unprecedented need for officer wellness and support.Nick is a founding member and executive director of Code 4 NW, a nonprofit organization that provides confidential support to all first responders and their families in Washington State. I thought it was important to talk about getting help, especially at this time of year when things can be tough for a lot of people. And I also wanted to do this as a follow-up to my conversation with Tricia Minkler in Ep. 38. Tricia lost her job in law enforcement after a struggling with alcohol and suicide. She got treatment all on her own and is grateful, despite the outcome, that she is in recovery. I wanted to talk with Nick about how Code 4 NW can help someone like Tricia get the help they need. You do not have to do this on your own, and you do not have to lose your job. If you are so inclined, please consider making a donation to Code 4 NW, a completely volunteer-run non-profit organization. The need is great and the work they do is lifesaving. And please call them if you want to have a peer support conversation.Code 4 NWConfidential 24/7 Crisis Line: 425.243.5092There are organizations outside of WA State as well:COPLINE1-800-267-5463100 Club of ArizonaThanks for listening. Please follow or subscribe to the podcast. If you use Apple podcasts, I’d be grateful if you leave a review.And find me on my social or email me:Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

EP. 38 I am talking with Tricia Minkler who served in law enforcement in Washington state for eight years. Tricia's primary reason for doing this interview is that she has a very important story she wants to share about wellness, survival and recovery. Tricia's path has not been easy. She's developed PTSD over the course of her career, including during her time as prosecutor during which she worked at the county level with King County and then Mason County prosecutors' offices, and then as an assistant city attorney for the city of Auburn. Trauma on the job has led her to seek help after struggling with alcohol and attempting suicide. In the process, she has lost her job in law enforcement. We conducted this interview just a few weeks before she received official word of termination from her department. But she is here with a message of hope and encouragement for those who are struggling. She wants everyone to know that her recovery has been worth it even under these circumstances. She is on her way to a new career as a counselor for first responders. Most of all, she wants you to know if you are struggling, you are not alone. We talk about a number of organizations like Code 4 NW and treatment centers where you can get help. Tricia is also working on creating an in-person support group for first responders in the PNW. If you are interested, you can connect with her through LinkedIn.In the interview, she mentioned a number of organizations supporting first responders. I will include links here:Code 4 NW425.243.5092Warrior PathhFirst Responder Support NetworkAnd their West Coast Post-Trauma RetreatFirst Responder WellnessThanks for listening. Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to the podcast. If you use Apple podcasts, it helps a lot if you leave a review!And find me on my social or email me:Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 37 When the news gets to shape the narrative, the consequences can become deadly for citizens and police alike. This is a special crossover episode with Drew Breasy of YouTube’s “Failure To Stop” and “Drew Breasy Uncuffed.” Together, Drew and I break down an article that has haunted me for more than a year titled: “How broken taillights end in killings by police.” It ran Oct., 31, 2021 in the Sunday New York Times, splashed across the front page above the fold. Under it was a breakout story with the headline:  “At traffic stops, officers’ presumption of danger breeds overreaction and seemingly avoidable deaths.” As I say in the interview, this statement is an opinion presented as fact. They make a premise and then everything they say supports that premise to give the illusion that it is true. Also known as a circular argument.It is not my goal to give The New York Times or any other media a hard time. The media serve an important purpose in this country. But a story like this in an outlet as influential as the NYT is dangerous in how it affects societal perception, in how it affects officers’ ability to do their jobs and in that it has influence on states, counties and municipalities which, based on these misperceptions, create policies and laws that further jeopardize the lives of police and their ability to protect the public. As you well know, this ran at a time when civil unrest was still at its peak and calls for defunding were deafening. This article was intended to fuel that fire. Many of you already know Drew Breasy, aka Lt. Andrew Baxter, who retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office just over a year ago after 29 years in law enforcement. Since then, he has launched “Drew Breezy Uncuffed” across his social media platforms. I appreciate his walking through this article with me. I think you will find it cathartic.Here are links that relate back to the episode:Failure to Stop:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KNPmjMrJ8c&t=1sNew York Times storyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/31/us/police-traffic-stops-killings.htmlChicago PD Officer Ella Frenchhttps://www.odmp.org/officer/25407-police-officer-ella-grace-frenchChicago PD Officer Carlos Yanez and his family-run Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/POCarlosStrong #CarlosStrongDINKHELLER documentary by filmmaker and former police officer Patrick Shaverhttps://www.dinkhellermovie.com/Instagram: drew_breasyFacebook: Drew Breasy Uncuffedhttps://youtube.com/c/DrewBreasylinktr.ee/Drew BreasyLinkedIn: Andrew BaxterPlease don’t forget to follow or subscribe to the podcast. Feel free to leave a review. And find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Ep. 36  Seattle PD Det. Britt Kelly (née Sweeney) who has 13 years on the department, is embarking on a passion project to honor the department’s line of duty deaths, of which she was nearly one.  On Oct. 31, 2009, just a few weeks into Britt’s field training, her Field Training Officer Timothy Brenton was murdered in an ambush attack as the two of them sat in their squad car pulled off to the side of the road. Britt sustained injuries but was able to exit the vehicle to return fire at the fleeing shooter’s car. She walks me through the incident, the emotions, the trauma and what made her change her mind after she “quit.” We also discuss the shock of a subsequent officer ambush less than a month later on Nov. 29, 2009 when four officers from Lakewood PD, located just south of Seattle, were shot and killed as they were sitting in a coffee shop on a Sunday morning. These two ambush attacks left all area LE and the community reeling. Police were being hunted – hunted and killed. These were some of the darkest days for this region. Britt and I discuss what kept her going through these tough times and why she remained committed to law enforcement and SPD.  She talks about how she now shares her experience with fellow and student officers as a way of helping them understand and prepare for the impact of a line of duty death. Sadly, the department has suffered two since Officer Brenton was murdered: Officer Lexi Harris, E.O.W. June 13, 2021 and K9 Officer Jedi, E.O.W. Jan. 5, 2022. We do, of course, talk about the good times on the job, in particular her time on Bikes and what she loved about it, and her current role as a detective for the Force Investigation Team (FIT) which investigates officer involved shootings and other high-level use of force incidents. Britt told me it is her greatest honor to serve her fellow officers in these investigations. As Britt says, her mission with the memorials is to hold true to what the department – and I will add the community – always say which is we will never forget. I will play what small role I can here in sharing the Officer Down Memorial Page tributes to the officers mentioned in this episode.Seattle Police Department Line of Duty Deathshttps://www.odmp.org/search?ref=global&query=Seattle+Police+DepartmentThe Lakewood Four Officer Tina Griswold https://www.odmp.org/officer/20138-police-officer-tina-gail-delong-griswoldOfficer Ron Owenshttps://www.odmp.org/officer/20140-police-officer-ronald-wilbur-owens-iiSgt. Mark Renningerhttps://www.odmp.org/officer/20137-sergeant-mark-joseph-renningerOfficer Greg Richardshttps://www.odmp.org/officer/20139-police-officer-gregory-james-richardsPierce County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Kent Mundellhttps://www.odmp.org/officer/20190-deputy-sheriff-walter-kent-mundell-jrAs you may know, the Officer Down Memorial Page is a non-profit that takes donations. If you’re so inclined, here is their page:https://www.odmp.org/©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org.Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com

Ep. 35 A special episode in reaction to the devastation of Hurricane Ian and the impact on first responders. Joining me for the second time on the podcast is Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office retired Lt. Drew Breasy to talk about this response, in particular the first responders we don’t see – the 911 Call Takers and Dispatchers, the “first” first responders as Drew calls them. Drew lives in the Tampa area which was initially in Hurricane Ian’s direct path. Drew started his career as a Dispatcher and 911 Call Taker and later returned to the Communications Center as a lieutenant. He has insight into the very specific trauma these first first responders experience. He also continues to lobby for better treatment of Communications specialists who are categorized as clerical staff without the pay, benefits or wellness training that first responders receive. Info on how you can help is below through the 911 Saves Act.In his 29 years in LE, Drew has seen his share of hurricanes in the Tampa area. We talk about how all first responders leave their own families and homes behind to rescue those caught in the storm, not knowing what they will return to. LE has the added challenge of policing while saving lives. Many of the LEOs I’ve spoken to in the course of the podcast have worked through natural disasters ranging from wildfires to hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes and more. It’s part of the job most of us don’t often think about. I’m glad I was able to cover some aspects of these particular challenges. And take a moment to thank all first responders, those we see, and those we don’t for what you do in extreme circumstances like this. And for what you do every day to protect the rest of us. Drew and I also talk about the important work of Team South Florida, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. Their primary mission is to honor and remember those Law Enforcement Officers who have been killed in the line of duty while supporting their agencies and their families. Their secondary mission is to bridge the gap between Law Enforcement and the communities they live and work in. In response to the Hurricane, Team South Florida has stepped up to support first responders through donations that cover everything from food and water, to diapers, flashlights, toiletries and other services they need. You can find them on their website and social media and if you are so inclined, make a donation. https://www.teamsouthflorida.org/https://www.facebook.com/TmSouthFloridahttps://www.instagram.com/teamsouthflorida/Twitter: @TmSouthFloridaHere is the flyer with specific needs that Drew mentioned: https://mcusercontent.com/affe9705f31024d1058eab6f8/files/e3825dfd-b06c-4e9b-42f8-bfa44a334684/Flyer_Final.pdfThe 911 Saves Act we discussed:The 911 SAVES Act is bipartisan legislation to reclassify 911 dispatchers from “Office and Administrative Support” to “Protective Service Occupations” in the Office of Management and Budget’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) catalog. Get involved by writing to your representatives in support of this legislation. Here is a press release with details:https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/torres-fitzpatrick-include-9-1-1-saves-act-amendment-ndaaWhere to find Andrew Baxter a.k.a. Drew BreasyInstagram: drew_breasyFacebook: Drew Breasy Uncuffedhttps://youtube.com/c/DrewBreasylinktr.ee/Drew BreasyLinkedIn: Andrew BaxterFailure To Stop on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCShU5ZCwvbeFZ5zADRzrlhQ©Abby Ellsworth Abby@Ellsworthproductions.com Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officer