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.  #NationalLawEnforcmentAppreciationDay  The quotes you hear in this short collection are from: Episodes 1 with a Seattle Police Department Sergeant; Episode 2 with a Chief from a mid-sized agency in the Pacific Northwest; Episode 3 with a retired Seattle Police Officer with 40 years in LE; Episode 5 with Los Angeles Police Department retired Detective Moses Castillo; Episode 7 with Lt. Christopher Cook, PIO for the Arlington Police Department in Texas. I should also highlight on this day of gratitude to LEOs, that episodes 4, 6 and 8 are interviews with citizens who are going out of their way to actively show their support for all police officers, in their own markets and beyond. More episodes are on their way. Please follow me on Twitter @AbbyEllsworth13; and on Facebook; or email me at Abby@ellsworthproductions.com.

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 his own challenge coin to thank and honor all LE. He has spent months making presentations and handing out his coins to officers at all SPD precincts and surrounding Seattle-area police agencies, as well as to officers he sees in the course of his day as a bus driver. He wants all LEOs to know how much they are, in fact, appreciated by their community and to inspire others in the community to take the time to get to know their police officers as fellow human beings, especially during this difficult time. As in Ep. 4 with citizen Zach, the SPD officers who responded to Eric and treated his injuries had EMT kits and EMT training funded by the Seattle Police Foundation. That funding comes through donations which can be made at www.seattlepolicefoundation.org.

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.  We talk about the toll defunding and riots are taking on officers. We discuss the death of George Floyd and the experiences of our black and brown communities. We examine use of force and LE transparency. He talks about my new favorite idea: launching Body Cam footage of the week, a wonderful way to show all the good encounters officers have with their communities. And he shares memories from his 25-year career. For info on the documentary I mention, “Officer Involved” follow this link: http://www.officerinvolvedproject.com/order/dvd Find me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @AbbyEllsworth13. Thanks for listening.

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 you.

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 the most meaningful cases he investigated involving the assault and murder of children, work he did for more than 20 years. The stories are dramatic and emotional, and they reinforce the commitment and sacrifice officers like Det. Castillo make every day to protect others. He shares his experience growing up in a dangerous neighborhood next to a gang house, and the very heartwarming story of the deputy he looked up to as a kid, the deputy who inspired a young boy to become a police officer. He has his own podcast:  The Blue Line Podcast with Detective Moses Castillo available on all podcast platforms.

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 Free Violence Prevention program to reduce gang violence, and The Seattle Police Foundation, a non-profit that helps fund needed training, equipment and community outreach for the Seattle Police Department. He also shares his tips on how fellow citizens can take a moment to show their thanks to law enforcement. If you’re an officer or related to someone is, you will be uplifted by Zach’s story and his message.

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 details a solution-oriented program he created to bring officers and youth together in a positive environment. And he reflects on the heroic things officers do every day and the fundamental commitment to sanctity of human life.

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, the lives he’s touched while being a police officer, and why it's still a rewarding career. (23:30 min.)

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..