Rephonic
Artwork for On Being a Police Officer

On Being a Police Officer

Abby Ellsworth
Law Enforcement
Raleigh Police Department
Child Abuse
Boston Marathon Bombing
New York City
LAPD
Accuracy Under Fire (AU Fire)
Ground Zero
Philly Warrant Unit
Pig Latin
Dallas
Crimes Against Children
Dallas Children's Advocacy Center
San Francisco
U.S. Marshals Service
Nemlec
SWAT
Los Angeles
NYPD
Kensington

An inside look at law enforcement through a civilian’s interviews. These are stories of police told by officers themselves. They talk frankly about what it’s like to be a cop in these tough times, what drew them to the job, and what the people they serve don’t know about the challenges of their work. It’s a view from the front lines and some very personal and emotional stories, especially about wh... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes89Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for On Being a Police Officer

Latest Episodes

Ep. 86 - Tristin Kilgallon, a former warrant investigator with the Philly Warrant Unit joins me for a no-holds-barred look at the world of fugitive apprehension in one of the country’s toughest cities.

Our conversation is based on Tristin’s book Phi... more

Ep. 85 - For this special episode marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, you will hear excerpts from four prior episodes of On Being a Police Officer in which I interviewed NYPD officers who responded to Ground Zero on 9/11. We talk about that tragic ... more

Ep. 84 - Former LAPD Officer Kristina Ripatti joined LAPD in 1996 and later served on LAPD’s CRASH Gang Unit assigned to the Rollin’ 30s Harlem Crips. Her patrol partner and gang unit partner was LAPD Det. Tim Pearce who later became her life partner... more

Ep. 83 - Chief Daniel Comeaux, the 31st Chief of Police of the Dallas Police Department joins me to look back at his first year in the role – his initiatives, his accomplishments as well as his goals for the future. Chief came to the job with 35 year... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts
Things Police See: Firsthand AccountsSteven Gould: Police Officer, Background Investigator
Tier1 Podcast
Tier1 PodcastBrent Tucker
The Antihero Broadcast
The Antihero BroadcastThe Antihero Podcast

Recent Guests

Tristin Gilgallon
Former warrant investigator in the Philly Warrant Unit
Philly Warrant Unit (former)
Episode: Ep. 86 – Inside the Unpredictable World of Fugitive Apprehension: Tristin Kilgallon, Former Philly Warrant Unit Investigator
Knocko Nolan
Native New Yorker who served with NYPD and LAPD, discussed Ground Zero work
NYPD/LAPD
Episode: Ep. 85 – 9/11: 25th Anniversary Special – Four NYPD Officers Who Responded to Ground Zero
Pete Forcelli
Former NYPD officer, ATF special agent, worked search, rescue and recovery at Ground Zero
ATF
Episode: Ep. 85 – 9/11: 25th Anniversary Special – Four NYPD Officers Who Responded to Ground Zero
Jason Palamara
Retired NYPD cold case detective turned host's prior guest
NYPD
Episode: Ep. 85 – 9/11: 25th Anniversary Special – Four NYPD Officers Who Responded to Ground Zero
Tom Smith
Retired NYPD homicide detective, discussed Joint Terrorism Task Force and Ground Zero
FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force
Episode: Ep. 85 – 9/11: 25th Anniversary Special – Four NYPD Officers Who Responded to Ground Zero
Kristina Ripatti
Former LAPD officer, crash unit member
Los Angeles Police Department
Episode: Ep. 84 – “He Was Trying to Execute Me” - Former LAPD Gang Officer Kristina Ripatti on the Incident that Changed Her Life and Her 10-year Career in Law Enforcement.
Daniel Comeaux
Chief of Police, Dallas Police Department
Dallas Police Department
Episode: Ep. 83 - Dallas PD Chief Daniel Comeaux: first-year initiatives, successes, future goals; Drawing on his 35-year law enforcement career from Houston PD to DEA.
Jim Vaglica
Retired Sergeant, Waltham (MA) Police Department; former Nemlec SWAT member
Waltham Police Department
Episode: Ep. 82 – Sgt. Jim Vaglica – The SWAT Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing; plus the unsettling aspects of the case that raise more questions than they answer.
Bobby Ledogar
Former Deputy U.S. Marshal, Eastern District of New York; led Warrants/ Fugitive Task Force; involved in El Chapo extradition
U.S. Marshals Service
Episode: Ep. 81 – U.S. Marshal Bobby Ledogar: High-Profile Extraditions, Hunting Fugitives, Serving High-Risk Warrants—and Paying the Price for Turning Whistleblower.

Host

Abby Ellsworth
Host of On Being a Police Officer; civilian interviewer focused on telling real stories of law enforcement.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings
  • Eye opener

    I have been wanting to be a police officer for majority of my life. Due to self esteem issues I never chased it. I’m currently going to school to get my 60 credits and join the academy. I was curious to see police officers talk about their day by day to see if It was something I really wanted to do. This podcast has shown me that in reality I really do want this. Started showing my wife this podcast as well and we just both been enjoying. I’m hoping that by the end of this year I’ll have at leas... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emandagoat01
    United States9 months ago
  • A glimpse at what it’s really like

    It is so refreshing to listen to this podcast. As a retired officer of over 20 years, I know that current law-enforcement are not allowed to have a voice. It is so rare to find a citizen that actually cares to get beneath that surface and find out what it’s really like. The good, the bad and the ugly. Thank you, Abby!

    I hope your podcast continues to find those that are curious about the realities of policing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luv fitness pal
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent

    Well thought out show and always well prepared and extremely interesting. Thank you for what you do. From a retired policeman.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Qwrgniuffhiutfbjiyfv
    Canadaa year ago
  • An honest voice amongst all the false narratives

    I’m a retired law enforcement Ofc and I spent 33 yrs working at the local and state level. I am appalled at the negative narrative that has and is being blasted out how “bad” cops are and how cops should be defunded ect.

    I stumbled upon Abby’s podcast awhile back and listened to her interviews about the real stories behind cops and what they do. She does a fantastic job telling the behind the scenes stories about officers, their experiences and what the job is REALLY like and how it impacts the... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    K9sRbest
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Insight from Experienced and New Officers

    As one about to enter police academy in a big metro, it’s great to hear the real side of law enforcement!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lblevi
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Voices of experience that challenge stereotypes about law enforcement.
Strong impact for aspiring officers and those curious about real-world policing.
Listeners appreciate candid conversations that go beyond headlines.
Compelling, humanizing perspectives on policing from officers and experts.
Well-produced episodes with thoughtful, respectful interviewing.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Notes from the Edge
Notes from the EdgeGamut Podcast Network
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
Dream Life Club
Dream Life ClubSumi Krishnan
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 83 - Dallas PD Chief Daniel Comeaux: first-year initiatives, successes, future goals; Drawing on his 35-year law enforcement career from Houston PD to DEA.
Q: What made you move from federal work to local policing in Dallas, and how has that transition shaped your approach as chief?
He emphasizes the need to be present for the officers and the community, the desire for direct impact and acknowledgment at the local level, and the ability to implement proactive safety and wellness initiatives that align with community needs.
Ep. 83 - Dallas PD Chief Daniel Comeaux: first-year initiatives, successes, future goals; Drawing on his 35-year law enforcement career from Houston PD to DEA.
Q: I want to go back to why you chose law enforcement, and I think it almost feels like law enforcement shows you. What drew you to the career besides your baseball injury?
He was influenced by a Houston Police sergeant who handed him an application and encouraged him to try, then turned a hesitant start into a full academy path; the decision was reinforced by a growing sense of duty and the thrill of making a tangible difference in people's lives.
Ep. 82 – Sgt. Jim Vaglica – The SWAT Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing; plus the unsettling aspects of the case that raise more questions than they answer.
Q: What went through your mind when you first heard explosions on that day?
He anticipated involvement by Nemlec and spoke to the rapid deployment and the split of teams to cover multiple high-need areas, highlighting the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty and the heavy reliance on information as it came in.
Ep. 82 – Sgt. Jim Vaglica – The SWAT Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing; plus the unsettling aspects of the case that raise more questions than they answer.
Q: Oh wow, Patriot's Day is a state holiday and I'm curious how that day unfolded for you.
He describes rolling into work on Patriot's Day, being activated for mutual aid, and the rapid organization into rapid response teams to bolster Boston during the marathon aftermath.
Ep. 82 – Sgt. Jim Vaglica – The SWAT Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing; plus the unsettling aspects of the case that raise more questions than they answer.
Q: So Jim, nice to meet you.
A personal introduction confirming his background in Waltham and Nemlec, and setting up the narrative of a career spent in high-stakes policing, with emphasis on teamwork and on-call duty.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About On Being a Police Officer

What is On Being a Police Officer about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A candid, human-centric exploration of policing through civilian-led interviews with officers and those connected to the field. Episodes spotlight personal journeys, frontline experiences, and the human costs of police work, from career-defining incidents to wellness, trauma recovery, and community relations. A recurring strength is the mix of intimate storytelling and practical insights into officer safety, leadership, wellness, and reform, offering listeners an unfiltered window into the realities of modern law enforcement. The show often features diverse roles—from patrol to investigations to specialized units—giving prospective guests and sponsors a clear sense of its practical, mission-driven focus and its commitment to giving voice to... more

Where can I find podcast stats for On Being a Police Officer?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for On Being a Police Officer. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to On Being a Police Officer and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does On Being a Police Officer get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for On Being a Police Officer, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for On Being a Police Officer?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for On Being a Police Officer, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does On Being a Police Officer have?

To see how many followers or subscribers On Being a Police Officer has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to On Being a Police Officer?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On Being a Police Officer:

1. Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts
2. Tier1 Podcast
3. The Shawn Ryan Show
4. The Antihero Broadcast
5. Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC

How many episodes of On Being a Police Officer are there?

On Being a Police Officer launched 6 years ago and published 89 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact On Being a Police Officer?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for On Being a Police Officer?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for On Being a Police Officer from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for On Being a Police Officer?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of On Being a Police Officer. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on On Being a Police Officer?

Recent guests on On Being a Police Officer include:

1. Tristin Gilgallon
2. Knocko Nolan
3. Pete Forcelli
4. Jason Palamara
5. Tom Smith
6. Kristina Ripatti
7. Daniel Comeaux
8. Jim Vaglica

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days