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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
New York State Police
Pig Latin
Dallas
Crimes Against Children
Dallas Children's Advocacy Center
San Francisco
U.S. Marshals Service
Nemlec
SWAT
Los Angeles
NYPD

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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes90Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for On Being a Police Officer

Latest Episodes

Ep. 87- Infiltrating New York City organized crime, surveilling officers within his own agency to identify the source of a leak, investigating a notorious gang, uncovering the truth behind the devastating quintuple homicide of an entire family. These... more

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

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Recent Guests

Terrence Dwyer
Former New York State Police trooper and investigator, attorney, legal studies professor, and Police1 columnist.
Western Connecticut State University
Episode: Ep. 87 – Terrence Dwyer New York State Police Trooper and Investigator – Investigating the Mob, Fellow Officers, Gangs and a Devastating Quintuple Homicide.
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.

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 States10 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.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 87 – Terrence Dwyer New York State Police Trooper and Investigator – Investigating the Mob, Fellow Officers, Gangs and a Devastating Quintuple Homicide.
Q: How do you feel about high-speed pursuits?
Dwyer says pursuits are dangerous for officers, the public, and suspects, and recalls crashes and injuries during pursuits. He supports close monitoring and decisions to end chases when they become too dangerous.
Ep. 87 – Terrence Dwyer New York State Police Trooper and Investigator – Investigating the Mob, Fellow Officers, Gangs and a Devastating Quintuple Homicide.
Q: So you call the book Part Memoir, True Crime Narrative, A Love Letter, and An Apology to Your Wife. So tell me what you mean by that.
Dwyer explains that the book is a memoir of the final two years of his career informed by the preceding decades, includes true-crime cases, and serves as a love letter and apology to his wife for the strain the job placed on their family.
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.

Audience Metrics

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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

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4. The Journal.
5. The Joe Rogan Experience

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

On Being a Police Officer launched 6 years ago and published 90 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 On Being a Police Officer?

Recent guests on On Being a Police Officer include:

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

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