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Artwork for Cops and Writers Podcast

Cops and Writers Podcast

Patrick O'Donnell
Law Enforcement
Mental Health
FBI
ATF
Police Procedures
Homicide
Undercover Operations
Human Trafficking
Domestic Violence
Hells Angels
PTSD
True Crime
Venezuela
Miami
Death Investigation
NYPD
Cops
DEA
U.S. Secret Service
Self-Publishing

Cops and Writers is a podcast hosted by retired police sergeant and author, Patrick O'Donnell. The podcast provides valuable insights and humor for crime writers who want to create accurate and believable police stories. O'Donnell conducts in-depth interviews with members of law enforcement and civilian experts, discussing police procedures and culture. He also interviews crime fiction writers and... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes307Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyTrue Crime

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Artwork for Cops and Writers Podcast

Latest Episodes

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Thanks for coming back for the conclusion of my interview with Author, Screenwriter, Producer, and Retired DEA Agent J Todd Scott. Today’s episode, we talk DEA stuff and work our way into Hollywood and books, more specifically, him ... more

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The name of this podcast is Cops and Writers. My guest on the show today, J Todd Scott, definitely fits that bill. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!

Todd spent 30 years as a special agent for the DEA, being ass... more

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“Have you ever shot someone?” Most cops will be asked this throughout their careers, including myself. Most cops go to retirement without having to take a life. Then others have been involved in multiple officer-involved shootings (... more

Send us Fan Mail

“Have you ever shot someone?” Most cops will be asked this throughout their careers, including myself. Most cops go to retirement without having to take a life. Then others have been involved in multiple officer-involved shootings (... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Michael Martinez
Police Officer, San Diego Police Department; OIS survivor and Wellness Unit member
San Diego Police Department
Episode: Police Officer Mike Martinez: Surviving 3 Life and Death Incidents in His First 18 Months as a Cop (Part Two)
Mike Martinez
Police Officer, San Diego Police Department, OIS survivor and wellness advocate
San Diego Police Department
Episode: Police Officer Mike Martinez: Surviving 3 Life and Death Incidents in His First 18 Months as a Cop (Part One)
Barbara Butcher
Retired NYC Medical Examiner's Office Death Investigator, author, TV star
What the Dead Know (book); The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher (TV)
Episode: What the Dead Know With New York City Death Investigator Barbara Butcher.
Jennifer Clark Eskew
Former Virginia State Trooper, retired ATF Senior Special Agent, undercover operations expert
ATF, Virginia State Police
Episode: Undercover Trooper & ATF Special Agent Jennifer Eskew. Becoming Fire! (Part Two)
Jennifer Eskew
Former Virginia State Trooper, retired ATF Senior Special Agent, author and undercover operations expert
ATF
Episode: Undercover Trooper & ATF Special Agent Jennifer Eskew. Becoming Fire! (Part One)
Raymond Carr
Retired FBI special agent, author and professor
FBI, Wilmington University
Episode: FBI Agent Ray Carr Caught the Most Prolific Bank Robber in History… But First, How It All Started. (Part One)
Deborah Levison
Bestselling author and publicist
Episode: Bonus Episode! A Novel Crime With Bestselling Author Deborah Levison!
Betsy Brantner Smith
Naperville Police Department retired sergeant, spokesperson for the National Police Association
National Police Association
Episode: Sgt. Betsy "Tactical Grandma" Brantner Smith; Undercover Cop, Sergeant, & Television Reality Star. (Part Two)
Frank Carson
Civilian crime scene investigator, formerly sworn officer
Prince George's County Police Department
Episode: Civilians Replacing Cops? C.S.I.s Frank Carson & Bill Greene & The Future of Law Enforcement

Host

Patrick O'Donnell
Host of the show, a retired police sergeant and author; provides in-depth interviews with law enforcement and crime-writing professionals; noted for candid, well-prepared discussions and deep policing insights.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 94 ratings
  • Great, good and funny

    Super interesting stories

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Annapannatje
    Netherlands6 months ago
  • Very entertaining

    A must listen if you enjoy good cop stories. My favorite ones are the NYPD interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John Hager
    United States8 months ago
  • Highly Interesting/Engaging Show

    Patrick is a fantastic interviewer, and his guests bring fascinating insight on all things law enforcement, criminal activity, and true crime mentality. You won’t be disappointed in giving this show a listen. High quality production!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scottie Lindsay
    United Statesa year ago
  • I love this show!

    I absolutely love this show. The creator interviews the most interesting guests (both law enforcement AND criminals/reformed criminals). I follow the Facebook group, too, and although I don’t post often, I do once in a while and have gained a TON of knowledge from the community.

    I’ve been following this podcast on Spotify for a while. When I realized my MacBook comes with Apple Podcasts I decided to follow here, too. Looking forward to more excellent interviews to come!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KayEm777
    United Statesa year ago
  • Cops and Writers is a great podcast

    Patrick is an awesome host. Very knowledgeable, great question and insight. I enjoyed being in the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caliman1995
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is valued for authentic police perspectives and practical writing guidance, making it a strong resource for crime writers.
Fans highlight community engagement (Facebook group) as a plus, enhancing the learning and networking opportunities.
Audiences appreciate variety among guests, from frontline officers to authors and publicists, with high-quality production noted by many.
Listeners praise the host's interviewing style as knowledgeable and engaging, with guests who consistently share fascinating insights.
Some critique exists about host interruptions, but overall the format is seen as entertaining, informative, and helpful for accurate storytelling.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Undercover Trooper & ATF Special Agent Jennifer Eskew. Becoming Fire! (Part Two)
Q: What was the most memorable assignment you had with the ATF? What sticks in your head the best, or worst, depending on how you look at it?
The guest recalls the Pentagon response after 9/11, describing rapid deployment, the coordination with RT, the intense search and recovery work, and the enduring impact on agents' health and careers, including the experience of 9/11–related illnesses and the ongoing health programs that followed.
30 Years. 50 Banks. How FBI Agent Ray Carr Caught the Most Prolific Bank Robber in History. (Part 2)
Q: How did you first connect the many bank robberies to a single suspect?
Carr explains building a profile from hundreds of files and bunkers, cross-referencing locations and habits, and connecting clues like the woods-based egress and the high-level education that suggested a unique, deliberate criminal.
Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, Resilience Under Fire: The Early Years of a Female Cop Who Refused to Quit. (Part One)
Q: What were the biggest obstacles you faced as the only woman in your academy class?
She recounts harassment, aggressive hazing, physical demands, and a culture of misconduct in the academy, which she confronted by staying focused, excelling in fitness and academics, and later influencing policy and training reforms.
Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, Resilience Under Fire: The Early Years of a Female Cop Who Refused to Quit. (Part One)
Q: What was the path from dispatcher to becoming a police officer like for you?
She explains starting as a school dispatcher during high school, then moving to Naperville after testing in the early 1980s, attending a Cook County Sheriff's Police Academy, and facing intense, often biased training that shaped her approach to policing and leadership.
Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, Resilience Under Fire: The Early Years of a Female Cop Who Refused to Quit. (Part One)
Q: So let's start at the beginning. Where did you grow up and how would you describe your childhood?
Betsy describes growing up in a small Illinois town with a strong family on a farm, a large extended family, and a background that fostered a solid work ethic, independence, and early leadership through helping with farming tasks and community involvement.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cops and Writers Podcast

What is Cops and Writers Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show centers on authentic law-enforcement perspectives, crime-scene work, and the craft of crime fiction. Conversations span officer-involved shootings, PTSD and wellness, undercover operations, forensics, civilian CSIs, and the realities of policing, while also exploring publishing, writing strategies, and marketing for crime writers. A notable throughline is the blend of hard-earned policing knowledge with practical storytelling guidance, offering listeners both procedural accuracy and actionable tips for authors and publishers. The format tends to mix candid, behind-the-curtain anecdotes with rigorous discussion of procedures, mentorship, and the evolving landscape of law enforcement and crime writing.

A stan... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cops and Writers Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cops and Writers Podcast:

1. Game of Crimes
2. Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts
3. FBI Case File Review
4. Cold Case Files
5. I Survived

How many episodes of Cops and Writers Podcast are there?

Cops and Writers Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 307 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Cops and Writers Podcast?

Recent guests on Cops and Writers Podcast include:

1. Michael Martinez
2. Mike Martinez
3. Barbara Butcher
4. Jennifer Clark Eskew
5. Jennifer Eskew
6. Raymond Carr
7. Deborah Levison
8. Betsy Brantner Smith

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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