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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
Accuracy Under Fire (AU Fire)
Pig Latin
Dallas
Crimes Against Children
Dallas Children's Advocacy Center
San Francisco
U.S. Marshals Service
Nemlec
SWAT
California Department Of Justice
Bullseye K9 Detection
Dallas PD
LAPD
San Francisco Police Department
Dallas Police Department
Failure To Stop

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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes86Founded6 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for On Being a Police Officer

Latest Episodes

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

Ep. 82 – Sgt. Jim Vaglica (ret.) of the Waltham, MA police department shares an eye-opening account of little-known aspects of the Boston Marathon bombing case. If you think you know what happened leading up to and in the aftermath of this terrorist ... more

Ep. 81 - This is a gripping look at the high-stakes world of the U.S. Marshals Service with retired Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Bobby “LED” Ledogar who committed 25 years to the agency handling high-profile extraditions, hunting fugitives and nea... more

Ep. 80 - Joining me is Jim Dudley, host of Police1’s acclaimed podcast Policing Matters. Jim was with the San Francisco Police Department for 32 years, rising to the rank of Deputy Chief. He takes us back to policing in San Francisco in the 1980s an... more

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Recent Guests

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.
Jim Dudley
Former Deputy Chief, San Francisco Police Department; host of Policing Matters on Police1
San Francisco Police Department; Policing Matters (Police1)
Episode: Ep. 80 - SFPD Deputy Chief Jim Dudley on 32 years policing in San Francisco, from the crack epidemic to open drug use and reflections on the challenges and rewards of the profession today.
Kristen King
Detective, Dallas Police Department, Child Abuse Unit
Dallas Police Department
Episode: Ep. 79 Dallas PD’s Child Abuse Det. Kristen King Reflects on a Challenging Yet Rewarding Job
Tim Pearce
Retired LAPD gang detective
Los Angeles Police Department (former)
Episode: Ep. 78 - LAPD Gang Det. Tim Pearce on his 18-year LE Career and the “Officer Needs Help” Call That Changed Everything.
Joe King
Dallas Police Department officer, host of ATO Bridging the Divide
Dallas Police Department / Assist the Officer Foundation
Episode: Ep. 77 Dallas PD’s Joe King with 28 years on; Honoring The Dallas Five; Pioneering Trauma-Informed Care through the Wellness Unit and the Assist the Officer Foundation.
Andre Lemay
Former California Department of Justice Special Agent, narcotics and firearms investigator; founder of Bullseye K9 Detection
California Department of Justice; K9 Bullseye Detection
Episode: Ep. 76 From Local Policing to the California DOJ: Andre Lemay on Narcotics and Firearms Investigations and Creating K9 Bullseye Detection to Keep Schools Safer
Eric Tansey
Former Raleigh Police Department officer, co-creator/host of Failure to Stop
Failure to Stop
Episode: Ep. 74 – Former Raleigh Police Officer Eric Tansey of Failure to Stop on his new book Pig Latin. It’s a wild ride with honesty, humor and compassion – Originally aired 2023.

Host

Abby Ellsworth
Host and civilian interviewer focused on telling real stories of law enforcement; guides interviews and storytelling across episodes

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 72 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 States6 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 States9 months 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.

Guests are often described as credible, diverse, and informative about on-the-ground policing and wellness.
Listeners praise the show for authentic, human-centered policing stories and candid officer perspectives.
Many note the host's neutral, non-judgmental framing as a strength.

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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.

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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?

Listeners likely tune in for intimate, human-centered policing stories told by officers and civilian interviewers who aim to present the realities behind the badge. Episodes emphasize frontline experiences, career pathways into law enforcement, personal resilience, and the evolving culture of policing, from SWAT to wellness initiatives. The show often highlights the human toll of the job, ethical questions, community policing, officer safety, and the impact of media narratives. Its distinctive angle is pairing civilian hosts with veteran officers and other law-enforcement guests to surface candid, multifaceted perspectives that go beyond headlines. This makes it a compelling pick for audiences seeking authentic, experience-driven insights i... more

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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. Shots Fired Podcast
3. The Shawn Ryan Show
4. The Antihero Broadcast
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 86 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. Daniel Comeaux
2. Jim Vaglica
3. Bobby Ledogar
4. Jim Dudley
5. Kristen King
6. Tim Pearce
7. Joe King
8. Andre Lemay

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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