Hold the Line with Mike Solan

Mike welcomes Pierce County Deputy Sheriff’s Independent Guild President, Shaun Darby and Community Advocate Annie Jolie to discuss the impending implosion of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and their desperate struggle to recruit and retain deputies.

Aaron Schmautz, President of the Portland Police Association and veteran officer, delves into the chaos surrounding Portland's protests. He shares insights on the distinction between peaceful demonstrators and violent groups like ANTIFA, discussing their impact on public safety and business. Schmautz reveals the toll on police morale amid public criticism and staffing crises. He also highlights the challenges of policing during unrest, the role of federal oversight, and calls for clearer narratives to better support law enforcement and the community.

In this episode, Mike welcomes back Bob Scales from Police Strategies to discuss the termination of the Seattle Police Department’s Federal Consent Decree.  They dive deep into the grift of consent decrees and the efforts being taken to reform the process. Links: Hardpressed: https://www.hardpressed-info.com/federal-judge-ends-seattle-pd-oversight-now-what/ Mayor Harrell’s statement: https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/09/03/city-of-seattle-and-seattle-police-successfully-exit-consent-decree-marking-new-chapter-of-accountability-and-community-partnership/

In this episode, Mike sits down with D.C. Police Union Chairman, Gregg Pemberton to discuss the TRUTH behind Trump’s federal takeover of Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan police department.  What were the causes and what it means for public safety across the nation.

In this episode Mike welcomes independent journalist @CamHigby to discuss his recent assault and ANTIFA’s war on the media and what that means for public safety. Links: https://abcnews.go.com/US/california-lawmakers-introduce-legislation-ban-law-enforcement-wearing/story?id=122900904 https://x.com/scott_wiener/status/1934619315078418895?s=43 https://x.com/camhigby/status/1934135321882664985?s=43 https://x.com/camhigby/status/1934828444350861715?s=43 https://x.com/katiedaviscourt/status/1934813485319459032?s=43 https://x.com/choeshow/status/1934842947469758572?s=43

In this episode Mike breaks down the looming threat of “ANTIFA Season”, comments on SPD Police Chief Shon Barnes' virtue signaling statement to the city council and what that means for officer morale and public safety. LINKS: Chief Barnes' public statement: https://x.com/SeattlePD/status/1932575405439135763 SPOG post about ANTIFA's actions: https://x.com/spog1952/status/1932926317500232070?s=43 Chief Barnes' statement to city council (1:39) https://www.seattlechannel.org/videos?videoid=x177005

Mike breaks down the decisions that led to the recent Cal Anderson Park disaster. 

In this episode Mike reacts to Seattle Times reporter Danny Westnut’s hit piece on SPOG’s “This is Seattle” social media campaign.  Mike also discusses Council Member Saka’s resolution that officially kills the “Defund the Police” movement, and exposes the anti-cop narrative of C.A.R.E.S. chief Amy Barden. Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/cops-snarky-this-is-seattle-slogan-misses-their-own-big-news/ City Council Blog: https://council.seattle.gov/2025/04/01/city-council-approves-resolution-endorsing-holistic-approach-to-public-safety/ BomBardened Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxQ7btNOyEoiuybksG2YzKNtPz8xTRgSv2

In this episode, Mike discusses the recent rogue actions of Assistant Chief Dan “Buster” Nelson, and his anti-union testimony before the WA state legislature. Links: • HB1816 latest draft: https://legiscan.com/WA/text/HB1816/id/3130268/Washington-2025-HB1816-Comm_Sub.pdf • Urbanist article: https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/02/17/state-bill-would-clear-path-for-seattle-civilian-responder-expansion/ • SPOG’s Buster Nelson video on X: https://x.com/SPOG1952/status/1892269507676188771 • S.A. Dupres’ X post about SB: 5066 https://x.com/SPOG1952/status/1894819807666557129 • Seattle’s 2017 Police Accountability Ordinance: https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/OPA/Legislation/2017AccountabilityOrdinance_052217.pdf • SPOG Alternate Response Unit MOU: https://seattlepoliceofficers.com/special/specialevents2023.pdf

Mike discusses the resignation of embattled OPA Director Gino "Turkey" Betts and what this means for public safety in Seattle. LINKS: • https://harrell.seattle.gov/2024/11/22/mayor-harrell-promotes-experienced-legal-and-judicial-leader-bonnie-glenn-to-serve-as-opa-director/#:~:text=Seattle%20–%20Today%2C%20Mayor%20Bruce%20Harrell,Betts'%20upcoming%20resignation%20in%20December.   • https://mynorthwest.com/3997502/rantz-seattle-city-official-gino-betts-hit-with-whistleblower-complaints-as-rumors-swirl-hes-on-his-way-out/   • https://mynorthwest.com/3981575/rantz-dan-auderer-guilty-no-evidence-gino-betts-opa-spd/   • https://www.kuow.org/stories/why-is-it-so-hard-to-hire-and-keep-cops-in-seattle