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In this episode, we explore how lateral transfers are significantly contributing to APD’s progress toward full staffing. Joining me to discuss their transitions from other agencies are officers Brandon Collins and Mark Beddingfield. While APD continues to have success recruiting first-time officers, these experienced transfers are playing a vital role in filling our ranks.

Before joining APD, Brandon served with the Montreat and Woodfin Police Departments and is a graduate of Appalachian State. Mark, who also served in Tryon, comes to the department from the Fletcher Police Department and brings more than a decade of law enforcement experience.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, including one of our newest officers and first-time new dad, Andrew Ammons. He joins me, and we’ll see how he’s dealing with two new experiences at once!

And, Hannah Silberman is back for another History Minute, as we go back 75 years to June 9th, 1951, and a call of a man with a gun in Montford “terrorizing the neighborhood”. Find out what evidence led officers right to the suspect, who was inside a nearby house when captured.

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In this episode, with May being Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Sergeant Justin Booth, who is an avid rider.

We’ll get to know Senior Police Officer Travis Pisani. May 13th was National 3rd Shift Workers’ Day. Now, technically, the APD doesn’t exactly have a 3rd shift, but he does work nights, and that’s close enough for me to get him to join me.

Also, Lieutenant Brian Hogan with the Community Engagement Division, and two of the participants in the inaugural Immersion Academy, Jackson Knight and Milinda Aguilar Santana.

And, Hannah Silberman with The History Minute, as we shine a spotlight on two officers from the 1930’s who were recently recognized as line-of-duty deaths and added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC. We’ll discuss that process and how and why they qualified.

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In this episode, Captain Joe Silberman of the Criminal Investigations Division. We’ll recap some recent big cases that were assisted by technology like LPR’s and drones.

We’ll get to know K9 Unit officers Sergeant Scott Muse and Senior Police Officer Nathaniel “Smitty” Smith. Sgt Muse leads the unit, and Smitty is getting acquainted with K9 Hardy, his new partner.

And, Property & Evidence Manager John Perez. His prior law enforcement experience with another agency provided him with a solid foundation for his job with APD. He also provides a valuable service, assisting with Spanish translations for our media releases.

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In this episode, Interim Chief Jackie Stepp and Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams sit down for an important and timely discussion about technology and its vital role with the Asheville Police Department and the DA’s office.

We’ll get to know Western North Carolina native, Sgt. Noland Brown, who just passed the 15-year mark with the APD. So, we’ll look back and forward.

And from the Community Engagement Division, Captain Jonathan Brown will lay out the new MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the Housing Authority, where it came from, and what it means.

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In this episode, with April 30th being National Honesty Day, we’ll get to know Detective Phil Allen, who has a way to determine if you’re telling the truth. You guessed it, he administers the polygraph examinations at the Asheville Police Department.

April is Records and Information Management Month, and I’m joined by the person who leads that department for the APD, Stephanie Bierce.

From the Community Engagement Division, Senior Police Officer Justin Lewis. Updates on Junior Police Academy signups, Coffee with a Cop, and Truck City at Tanger Outlets, which is on April 18th.

And we’ll go back 125 years with Hannah Silberman, who returns for another History Minute. If you think election integrity is something new, think again, as we’ll explore allegations of a stolen election just after the turn of the 20th century.

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In this episode, the winner of a Merit Award at the recent APD Awards Banquet, and a Superlative Award for having the cleanest squad car, inside and out, is Senior Police Officer Taya Overholt, as April is National Car Care Month.

Getting to know Lieutenant Russ Crisp. April is also National Pickleball Month, and I don’t know anybody as passionate about it as he is. We’ll get some pickleball pointers and see how things are going in Professional Standards.

From News 13 - WLOS, Taylor Thompson. April 4th is National Hug A Newsperson Day! I’m sure she’ll be celebrating, but if you see her, ask permission first. We’ll explore the relationship between the media and law enforcement.

And Senior Police Officer Dennis Pace, from Community Engagement. That unit is ramping things up with the arrival of Spring, including preparations for the Junior Police Academy, with applications now open!

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The weekend of March 6th was a particularly violent one in Asheville, and Deputy Chief Sean Aardema joins me to discuss the proactive policing measures being implemented and steps APD is taking to prevent further violence.

Getting to know Forensics Supervisor Kristen Norman, a North Carolina native who spent a decade in Texas with lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!) before returning to the Tar Heel state. We’ll also discuss her new role and the technology aiding their crime-solving efforts.

Detective Adam Roach celebrates his 20th “swearaversary” this month, as the Asheville-area native was sworn in as an APD officer on March 17, 2006. You might recognize some of the other names from his BLET class.

From Community Engagement, Senior Police Officer Carrie Lee, with the latest on Citizens’ Police Academy, Immersion Academy, and Junior Police Academy.

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In this episode, we’ll celebrate March as Irish-American Heritage Month, with Detective Zoe Vertefeuille, who has visited the Emerald Isle so many times, travel agents ask HER for advice. Also, Sergeant Ian Cooper, a native of the Boston area whose Irish roots run deep.

From Community Engagement, Master Police Officer Debbie LeCroy, who is retiring after a law enforcement career that spanned more than 20 years. Find out what’s next!