On Being a Police Officer

Ep. 34 Seattle PD SWAT Sgt. Drew Hancock, (retired 2021), discusses his 28-year career with the department working foot patrol, mountain bikes, undercover VICE and Narcotics, and SWAT as a sergeant/supervisor for ten years. In this role, he helped manage the Unit’s response to the 2020 riots that famously shut down a several-block area of the city and temporarily shuttered the department’s East Precinct. He talks about the scope and intensity of those days and compares this experience to working the World Trade Organization (WTO) riots in 1999 for which Seattle also made national news. I met Drew 12 years ago just as he was starting as SWAT sergeant. It's great to reconnect to look back at all of it and to hear the stories of the people he helped, the camaraderie, the good times and the tough times. And I finally get to ask him what SWAT really does because I realized I did not know! We also talk about Drew’s new role as Director of Practice Development - Law Enforcement for Creative Planning, a nationally recognized wealth advisory firm dedicated to helping clients achieve their long-term financial goals. Drew and his wife started as clients seven years ago and for the past two years, Drew has been proactively talking with fellow officers about their needs and what the company’s financial planners can do for them. With his firsthand knowledge of LE’s pay structure and Creative Planning's approach, Drew can answer officers’ questions about what the company can do for them and arrange a free, no obligation consultation with a financial planner. As Drew says, the company “gives you a much better approach and trajectory for your own personal financial success, instead of just leaving it up to the state or the city or the pension board to control your money. It’s a very personal approach to a holistic wealth management. I think it’s one reason I was able to retire early.” Drew welcomes having a conversation with LE from around the country. You can reach him at drew.hancock@creativeplanning.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.On a personal note to you my listeners, it is meaningful to me to air this episode at this time since it was two years ago that I launched the podcast. Initially, it was in response to the 2020 riots to give LE a platform to discuss the impact of the extreme verbal, physical and emotional attacks you undeservedly suffered and to showcase the profession as it really is, not as it was made out to be. My first episode was with a Seattle PD Wellness Sergeant conducted on the day that Carmen Best, the department’s first Black female Chief resigned. Since then, I have interviewed law enforcement from around the country. My goal is to tell the real stories of LE, the ones that don’t make the news. It’s also my way of telling law enforcement through dark days and good, that there are civilians like myself who support you and who see the profession for what it really is. Thank you for what you do and your families and loved ones who share you with us.Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org.

Ep. 33 I continue my conversation with Spokane PD Officer Stacy Roark. In Ep. 32, we started with an overview of Officer Roark’s 30-year career in law enforcement. We also talked about his current role on the Behavioral Health Unit and as a negotiator. Joining us is Jenny Mandin, a mental health professional with Frontier Behavioral Health. Officer Roark and Jenny are co-deployed to respond to persons in crisis. We discuss how this pairing works, the calls they respond to and the role each of them plays in assessing each person’s needs. Their goal is to connect people with services and keep those who do not need to be in jail or in the hospital out of both. I also discuss with Jenny what she’s learned about law enforcement, the challenges officers face and why it is important for the safety and protection of everyone involved that she respond with law enforcement to these calls.  I have talked about the co-responder model in the podcast, but in these two interviews, it is the first time I have covered the co-deployed approach. And it is the first opportunity I’ve had to speak with a mental health professional to get insight on training and approach. Facebook: On Being a Police OfficerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.com©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, production done by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org.

Ep. 32 Joining me is Officer Stacy Roark who has been in law enforcement for 30 years. He is currently with the Spokane Police Dept. in the Behavioral Health Unit which uses a co-deployed model for responding to persons in mental crisis. Officer Roark rides with a mental health professional (MHP), Jenny Mandin from Frontier Behavioral Health. We talk about the calls they respond to and how they get people the help they need with the goal of keeping them out of jail or the hospital. I’ve previously discussed the co-responder model on the podcast in which officers call for a clinician to come to the scene, but this is the first time I’ve discussed the co-deployed approach in which the officer and clinician ride together. I have made it a point to cover these response models to show the lengths to which law enforcement goes to help persons in mental crisis.We also discuss Officer Roark’s work as a negotiator for the department dealing with barricaded individuals, hostage situations, suicidal subjects and more. Officer Roark shares what it’s like to witness persons who complete suicide as well as the importance of remembering the “wins” when he and his fellow negotiators are able to succeed in keeping people from harming themselves or others. We discuss the current environment for LE and his work supporting officer wellness. And we take a look back at why he became a police officer, the rewards of the job, and how it was not at all what he thought it was going to be. In my next episode, mental health professional Jenny Mandin will join us to talk more about their work together in the Spokane PD's Behavioral Health Unit. Thanks for listening.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. 31 Joining me is Andrew Baxter, a.k.a., Drew Breasy, creator and host of the popular social media channel “Drew Breasy Uncuffed” which he launched after retiring a year ago. It is, in his words, “the unapologetically honest opinion of a retired police lieutenant.”  First, we look back on Drew’s 29 years with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Tampa area). We talk about why he knew “come hell or high water” he would become a deputy with HCSO. We then jump into his resume which is so impressive, I focused on what, to me, is the stuff of TV shows including his work both as a detective and a supervisor in undercover narcotics, informant handling, wire taps, and much more. Drew started in the Communications Center as a 911 Operator and Dispatcher and returned there later in his career as Lieutenant. We talk about the trauma specific to dispatch and call takers and their importance as “first” first responders.All of this experience informs “Drew Breasy Uncuffed.” He addresses widely distributed but often inaccurate reporting on law enforcement, whether it's issues or incidents. He does his research and digs through all the details on LE’s involvement for cases that range in nature, but which have captured traditional and social media attention – from Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie, to Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, to the tragedy in Uvalde. As Drew says, he is now able to speak freely, something active LEOs can’t do. He comes from “a place of healing,” and his goal is to give a voice to those who don’t have one. That’s a goal we share. Here is where you can find him: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. 30 Teresa Taylor, executive director of WACOPS, the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, shares an update on the wide-ranging police reform legislation that went into law in Washington State in July 2021. Now almost a year later, we look at the impact of the legislation on law enforcement and the community, the revisions that have been made and why, and what still needs to be changed. We also look at some concerning new developments including legislation that would make deadly use of force justified only if the threat is “immediate” as opposed to “imminent,” a potentially dangerous distinction. And we talk about the concept of “compliant handcuffing.”Our conversation is relevant not only to police departments in WA State, but also to law enforcement agencies around the country. It reflects the impact of the national negative narrative on policing and how it plays out in our communities, and how it impacts individual departments and officers. If you live in Washington, you’ll be pleased to know how much Teresa and WACOPS do for officers and for the community.Teresa, like me, is a civilian. We share the goal of supporting law enforcement and helping people understand what it really means to be a police officer.  WACOPS is recognized as the largest, oldest and most influential trade organization representing law enforcement professionals in Washington state. Here is a link to their website. https://www.wacops.org/For those who want to know more about WACOPS, please contact Teresa at TTaylor@wacops.orgPlease 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. 29 Joining me is New Zealand police officer, Constable James Walkling.  James is originally from the UK where he started his career in law enforcement with the Metropolitan Police in London in 2011. We talk about policing in these very different countries, in particular what it’s like to be unarmed in the UK and “semi armed” in New Zealand. We also review the current debate in New Zealand to move to “generally armed,” which would allow officers to carry a handgun as they do in Australia. This debate was ignited in 2021 following the murder of New Zealand Constable Matthew Hunt during a traffic stop. James looks back on his challenging upbringing in the foster care system and unpleasant interactions with UK police as a teen, factors which actually led him to choose law enforcement as a profession to make the changes he wanted to see. In fact, his advice to Americans who are disgruntled with law enforcement is to do the same. He also encourages civilians to do a ride-along with officers to really understand the job.  “Go and do those ride-alongs and be involved in it, and understand that policing is nothing what you think it is.”We also discuss the events in America over the past two years including the murder of George Floyd, civil unrest, calls for defunding the police and the perception and impact of these events on law enforcement here and in other countries. The negative narrative on policing does not stop at our borders. For all that is different among these countries, there is much that is the same. The commitment, the sacrifice, protecting the most vulnerable, dealing with people on what is very possibly the worst day of their lives. Our conversation is both thoughtful and upbeat and is as much about James’ support of law enforcement in the U.S. and worldwide as it is about his own experiences.Remembering Constable Matthew Hunt killed on duty July 2021 - a short documentaryFacebook: 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. 28 Head of Public Affairs for the Baltimore, Chicago and Fairfax County VA police departments, Anthony Guglielmi talks about advocating for LE while being transparent with and educating the public on what it means to be a police officer. He reflects on the rewards and challenges of supporting police departments in two of the largest and most violent cities in the country. While with Baltimore PD from 2008 to 2013, Anthony helped the department communicate their strategy to reduce rampant gun violence through “targeted prosecution and putting the right people in jail for the right reason at the right times.” He also discusses BPD’s Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF) and the resulting scandal which led to officers being charged with racketeering, robbery, extortion and fraud. Anthony talks about how this happened and what went wrong. Before the GTTF scandal broke, Anthony was recruited by Chicago PD to manage the release of dash cam video of the killing of Laquan McDonald by Officer Jason Van Dyke, video that contradicted police statements. It was Anthony’s job to help the department and the city rebuild public trust. Ultimately, Chicago PD become one of the first departments in the country to release body cam footage within days of an incident, a practice and a concept that was unheard of at the time.  After Chicago PD, Anthony joined the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia outside Washington D.C. We revisit the January 6th insurrection and Fairfax County PD’s mutual aid response. And we talk about Anthony’s commitment to telling the real stories of LE. His teams have produced and distributed videos about the good work officers do. In Anthony’s words: “Here's what you didn't see on last night's news.”©Abby Ellsworth. All interviews booked, conducted and edited by Abby Ellsworth. Follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OnBeingaPoliceOfficer and https://www.facebook.com/abby.ellsworth.52Instgram: on_being_a_police_officerTwitter: @AbbyEllsworth13Email: Abby@Ellworthproductions.comhttps://heroespodcastnetwork.com/

Ep. 27 John “Jay” Wiley retired police sergeant and host of the Law Enforcement Today Radio Show and Podcast shares his personal story about his time with the Baltimore Police Department from 1980 to 1992, as well as his views on the issues and challenges LEOs are facing in these tough times.Jay details the incidents and resulting injuries that led to his being forced to retire from the Baltimore Police Department at the age of 33. This is the first time in my podcast that I’ve discussed the impact on officers injured in the line of duty. Jay shares his deep sense of loss at having to give up his vocation, the career he chose and loved, and the toll that loss took on him and his family financially, mentally and emotionally. Through hard work and helping hands, Jay triumphed and created his own syndicated music radio show and the LET Radio Show and Podcast. Through his radio show and podcast, Jay has his finger on the pulse of what LEOs are facing today. We discuss those challenges as well as Jay’s encouragement for those in the profession and his hope for the future.Find and follow Jay and the LET Today Podcast:https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/let-radio-show-3/https://www.facebook.com/LawEnforcementTodayRadioShowhttps://linktr.ee/JJWiley?fbclid=IwAR35Q36daalhevHU6ni--nOPHcZXTxQ8TIJ9EGXs2Yd8hMWjXEbb0L2OOJs©Abby Ellsworth. I am the sole booker, interviewer, editor and publisher of this podcast. Please like/follow and post your comments on your favorite podcast platform. You can also reach me at abby@ellsworthproductions.com. Thanks for listening.

Ep. 26 – Retired Southfield PD (MI) police officer Anthony McNeil shares his stories, experiences and insights from 21 years on the department as well as the inspiration behind his podcast “The Off Duty Podcast” and the Everyday Heroes Podcast Network which he created for podcasts about first responders and those who support them. I am pleased to report that my podcast is now part of Anthony’s network and that he recently interviewed me on The Off Duty Podcast. You can hear our conversation here and all about why I do this podcast. In my interview with Anthony, we have a lot of fun talking about his time with Southfield PD located just outside Detroit. His was an unlikely journey into law enforcement, a career he never intended to pursue until a chance encounter and conversation with the then Chief of Southfield PD who encouraged him to consider it. In Anthony’s words, he was hooked from day one. We talk about the incidents and the people he remembers and the kind of officer he strove to be. We also cover current issues as well as the ongoing tough environment for law enforcement. He wants LE to be able to take back the narrative, and he hopes to help do that with his podcast. His interviews are warm and engaging with the goal of humanizing the badge. For a profession he never intended to join, Anthony is still giving back. As I say in the interview, he did not choose law enforcement, but I am glad law enforcement chose him.

Ep. 25 - I am kicking off 2022 on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day with a thoughtful and forward-looking interview with Chief Doug Shoemaker with the Colorado Junction Police Department. The Chief shares his passion for the profession, his enthusiasm for its future and his focus on relationship building. Chief Shoemaker has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years. For more than ten years, he has served on various committees and sections within the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) including as chair the association’s Police Professional Standards and Ethics Committee. In 2021, he was elected the Fifth Vice President, a role that will lead to his becoming IACP President in 2026. We begin locally, looking at the issues facing law enforcement in his city and in Colorado, in particular, the impact of the state’s elimination of qualified immunity. We also talk about his experience working in the state capital with the Jefferson City Police Department during which time he was the incident commander for "Journey for Justice," a march held following the Ferguson protests in 2014. We discuss how this helped prepare him to lead his department during the civil unrest that occurred in response to the murder of George Floyd. Then we branch out on a national level, examining not only the challenges facing LE, but also the effort the profession is making to change and evolve. We also touch on the Chief’s commitment to give back to the community by understanding underlying issues specifically around the factors that lead youth to end up in the juvenile justice system and what can be done to help them. He did this research as part of his dissertation for his doctorate in Organizational Leadership. As I do in each episode, I ask what made him choose law enforcement; we talk about his “why” and the value of reflecting back on it. @Abby Ellsworth 2022. All booking, interviews, production and editing done by Abby Ellsworth. Contact me at abby@ellsworthproductions.com.