Send us a text Today we are going across the pond to England chatting with Detective Superintendent Julie Mackay and Investigative Journalist and Podcaster Robert Murphy. Julie Mackay retired from policing as Detective Superintendent (head of homicide teams) after a distinguished career spanning 32 years. Trained as a review officer, Senior Investigating Officer, and with a passion for putting victims first, she has continued to work in arenas that strive for improvement. Julie led the 30-year-o...
Jun 04, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 121
Send us a text Today we are chatting with the author of Riding With Evil: Taking Down The Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang and ATF Special Agent, Ken Croke. Over 25 years, he took part in more than a thousand undercover operations, including gang, drug, and firearms trafficking cases. Married with three young daughters, he was a supervisor who seemed to cruise to a quiet suburban retirement. But, when a tip about criminal motorcycle gangs came into the Boston ATF field office in 2008, the experie...
May 28, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 120
Send us a text Today we are chatting with best-selling author and true crime star, Kerrie Droban! Kerrie Droban is an award-winning author and criminal & family attorney living in Arizona. With numerous appearances and interviews on national television and radio shows, she has established herself as an expert on the pathology of the criminal mind, motorcycle gangs, and a mentor to new and aspiring true crime writers. Kerrie received a Masters's degree from The Johns Hopkins University Writin...
May 21, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 119
Send us a text Today we are traveling to Boston to chat with best-selling author and Yogi, Sara DiVello! Sara DiVello is a true crime novelist and the creator/host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, a popular author series and interactive Facebook group. For her weekly Mystery and Thriller Mavens live events, she has interviewed more than 300 authors, ranging from the bestselling and world-renowned (Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, Lee Child, Jeffery Deaver, Tamron Hall, Karin Slaughter, Ruth Ware, ...
May 14, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 118
Send us a text G’day mates! Today we are going to the land down under to speak with Oliver Laurence, who was a police sergeant in Australia! Oliver Laurence worked for the South Australian Police and the Queensland Police Service as a constable, senior constable, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. During his career in law enforcement in Australia, he worked in a variety of positions and locations from the Gold Coast to the Outback. Upon retirement, he started his own security agency spann...
May 07, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 117
Send us a text Today we are going to be talking about a nifty piece of writing software called Plottr with Roland Denzel and Troy Lambert. I have been using Plottr for the last two years and it has become one piece of my writing puzzle. This is not a paid advertisement, although I wouldn’t be opposed to that. Roland Denzel is a health and fitness author, a 30-year printing and publishing specialist, and the Marketing Coordinator for Plottr. Troy Lambert is a mystery author, book editor, and the ...
Apr 30, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 116
Send us a text Thank you for joining me for the thought-provoking conclusion of this special two-part interview with Dr. Trevor Wilkins, also known as the Angry Viking Therapist. Dr. Trevor Wilkins is a psychotherapist in private practice at Thin Line Counseling, LLC in the Lexington, KY area and specializes in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma, and High-Stress Careers. Dr. Wilkins has an additional specialty of working with the members of public safety and the military that are de...
Apr 23, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 115
Send us a text Dr. Trevor Wilkins is a psychotherapist in private practice at Thin Line Counseling, LLC in the Lexington, KY area and specializes in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma, and High-Stress Careers. Dr. Wilkins has an additional specialty of working with the members of public safety and the military that are dealing with stress and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Wilkins served 15 years in uniformed law enforcement. Dr. Wilkins now combines his doctorate-level education in ...
Apr 16, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 114
Send us a text This is a bonus show from last year with Craig Martelle who runs the 20 Books Vegas conference. Almost everything is the same, but better!! My guest on today’s show is best-selling author and coordinator of the world’s biggest and best indie author conference, 20 Books Vegas, Craig Martelle Craig is a fountain of knowledge as he breaks down the conference for us today that is happening November 6 - 10, 2023 at Bally's / Horseshoe Las Vegas. In today’s episode we discuss: · How 20 ...
Apr 13, 2023•52 min
Send us a text Today we are in the Line of Fire with Special Agent Mark Brandenburg of the United States Secret Service. Mark started his career in law enforcement in the Olathe, KS, Police Department (a suburb of Kansas City). He was assigned to patrol, served as an FTO, and was a member of the tactical support unit. In 2001, Mark was hired by the USSS as a special agent. His second day of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA, was 9/11. Began career in t...
Apr 09, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 113
Send us a text Today’s show is dedicated to the memory of Agent Jared Francom EOW 01-05-12. Thank you for joining me today for the conclusion of a special two-part interview with a true American Hero, Lt. Nathan Hutchinson. Lt. Hutchinson is one of the most decorated police officers in American history and it was truly an honor to speak to the good lieutenant. Lieutenant Nate Hutchinson has been a law enforcement officer with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years. Prior to his promotion...
Apr 02, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 112
Send us a text Today’s show is dedicated to the memory of Agent Jared Francom EOW 01-05-12 who perished from wounds he sustained during the incident on 01-04-12. Thank you for joining me today for part one of a special two-part interview with a true American Hero, Lt. Nathan Hutchinson. Lt. Hutchinson is one of the most decorated police officers in American history and it was truly an honor to speak to the good lieutenant. Lieutenant Nate Hutchinson has been a law enforcement officer with the We...
Mar 26, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 111
Send us a text Today’s episode takes us to the Great White North, yes, we are going to my neighbor to the north, Canada to speak with retired Det. Sergeant Desmond Ryan of the Toronto Police. Born and raised in Toronto, Desmond P. Ryan graduated from the University of Toronto and joined what was then the Toronto Police Force. He has been a front-line officer, a beat cop, a patrol sergeant, an instructor at the Toronto Police College, and a detective over the almost thirty years of his career. No...
Mar 19, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 110
Send us a text Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here is a rebroadcast from a few years ago with my favorite Irish Garda! In this special St. Parick's Day bonus episode, Marie O'Hlloran shares her experiences as a 22 year veteran of the Irish Polic Force, An Garda Síochána. Marie and I chat about everything from her training at Garda College, experiences on the job, and a treasure trove of other information about the Irish Police Force. She also reveals her struggles with the aftermath of a near-fatal sq...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 30 min
Send us a text Thank you for joining us today for the conclusion of a special two-part interview with retired FBI Special Agent Kyle Vowinkel. Kyle Vowinkel dedicated 33 years of service to his country as an FBI Special Agent, U.S. Army officer, and West Point graduate. He has significant leadership experience as an FBI senior executive who served at multiple FBI offices and retired as Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) in Miami. Prior to ASAC, he served on two unique U.S. national assets–...
Mar 12, 2023•59 min•Ep. 109
Send us a text Thank you for joining us today for episode one of a special two-part interview with retired FBI Special Agent Kyle Vowinkel. Kyle Vowinkel dedicated 33 years of service to his country as an FBI Special Agent, U.S. Army officer, and West Point graduate. He has significant leadership experience as an FBI senior executive who served at multiple FBI offices and retired as Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) in Miami. Prior to ASAC, he served on two unique U.S. national assets – t...
Mar 05, 2023•58 min•Ep. 108
Send us a text Today’s episode is very exciting for two reasons. First, I will be chatting with RJ Beam. RJ is currently a police academy instructor and has worked in public safety for most of his adult life. RJ was a volunteer firefighter/EMT before starting work as a city cop. During his career, he has held positions in patrol, bike cop, SWAT, and CSI. Investigations and CSI work are his love, which is where he spent most of his time. RJ is a published author and is the Vice President of the P...
Feb 26, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 107
Send us a text Welcome back to the conclusion of our special two-part interview with retired Police Sergeant John Ferriso of the New York Police Department. John Ferriso was a member of the NYPD from 1993-2013. With 20 years of experience as Patrol Officer, September 11th Rescue and Recovery and Patrol Supervisor, Sergeant in charge of both the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Missing Persons Squad. John Supervised and investigated over 7,000 cases per year while assigned to the Missing Persons S...
Feb 19, 2023•52 min•Ep. 106
Send us a text Today is episode one of a special two-part interview with retired Police Sergeant John Ferriso of the New York Police Department. John Ferriso was a member of the NYPD from 1993-2013. With 20 years of experience as Patrol Officer, September 11th Rescue and Recovery and Patrol Supervisor, Sergeant in charge of both the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Missing Persons Squad. John Supervised and investigated over 7,000 cases per year while assigned to the Missing Persons Squad. John h...
Feb 12, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 105
Send us a text On today’s show, I speak with Dennis Benigno, who is the founder and CEO of Street Cop Training. His law enforcement career began in 2001 at 19 years of age as an NJ Corrections Officer. In 2004, Benigno became a police officer with the US Park Police Dept. in Washington, DC, and in 2005 moved over to the position of a police officer in one of NJ's largest municipalities. He has received multiple awards, including but not limited to Lifesaving, Meritorious Service, Mayor's Award f...
Feb 05, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 104
Send us a text Today’s show takes us to the Big Apple. Yes, today we are going to New York City to chat with Author and Police Officer Kevin Sullivan of the NYPD. Kevin “Sully” Sullivan has been with the NYPD for about ten years and is assigned to the transit and counterterrorism unit. Among other things, Kevin is a musician, surfer, and indie author. In today’s episode, we discuss: · What got him interested in law enforcement. · Why did he join the New York Police Department? · Why he is intere...
Jan 29, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 103
Send us a text Today’s show takes us back to the Windy City, The City of Big Shoulders, yes, of course, I’m talking about the place of my birth and where I spent my youth, Chicago. Today we will be speaking with Retired Chief of Detectives of the Chicago Police Department, Eugene Roy. Gene has over 40 years in various law-enforcement roles. He started his career as a dispatcher for the Illinois State Police and later became a narcotics investigator for an agency in another state. He returned to ...
Jan 22, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 102
Send us a text Today’s show takes us to the Windy City, The City of Big Shoulders. Yes, of course, I’m talking about the place of my birth and where I spent my youth, Chicago. Today we will be speaking with Pulitzer Prize nominee John Gorman. John Gorman started his journalism career at the storied City News Bureau of Chicago before joining the Chicago Tribune. He spent half of his 26 years at the Tribune as a reporter covering courts, cops, and catastrophes, and was twice a runner-up for the Pu...
Jan 15, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 101
Send us a text Today’s show marks my 100th episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast!!! I would like to take a minute and thank all of you who support me and the show. My wonderful patrons, everyone who has purchased a book in my Cops and Writers series and my new Brew City Blues series. And, of course, the amazing guests I have had on the show over the last two years. And a big thank you to all of you, my dear listeners who listen and promote this show, I thank you. Speaking of amazing guests, I ...
Jan 08, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 100
Send us a text On today’s show, we have Morgan Wright. Morgan is currently the co-host/co-producer of the Game of Crimes podcast with Steve Murphy of Narcos fame. Previously Morgan was a Senior Advisor in the US State Department Antiterrorism Assistance Program, taught behavioral analysis at the National Security Agency, and spent a year teaching the FBI how to conduct internet investigations. Besides 18 years in state and local law enforcement as a highly decorated state trooper and detective, ...
Jan 01, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 99
Send us a text On today’s show, we have author, non-verbal communications expert, and former Police Officer Sean Grogan! Sean Grogan is a former special investigations detective that spent his career with the Woodbridge, N.J. Police Department. Besides spending most of his career in the narcotics unit as a detective, he was also a K-9 handler and gang investigator. Sean has traveled to Europe for advanced training in facial expressions and other non-verbal communication. Sean has also been certi...
Dec 25, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 98
Send us a text On today's show, we travel to Texas to speak with author, podcaster, and Police Officer David Viergutz! David Viergutz is a disabled Army Veteran, an 8-year law enforcement veteran, the majority in rural Texas, and Field Training Officer. His experience is in drug interdiction, interview/interrogation, and investigations. He is also a mental health investigator and state child abuse investigator. David gives us some unique insights into policing in a small town in Texas. In today’...
Dec 18, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 97
Send us a text Four time zones, two counties, and an ocean can't separate these heavy hitters in publishing! This is why I still do the podcast! It is so much fun being with all of you and I want to share the wisdom of this hive. Today’s show is for the writers out there who want to level up their author careers! My guests, that’s right guests, are none other than Author and Host of the Self Publishing Show, James Blatch, and best-selling authors Cecelia Mecca and Jodi Burnett! We chat about the...
Dec 11, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 96
Send us a text My guest on today’s show is best-selling author and retired Police Captain Frank Zafiro! During his law enforcement career, Zafiro worked as a patrol officer, corporal, and detective before entering leadership roles and becoming a sergeant in 2002. He was fortunate enough to command patrol officers, investigators, K-9 officers (and their dogs!), and the SWAT team. He also commanded both the patrol division and the investigative division of the police department at different points...
Dec 04, 2022•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 95
Send us a text Today's show takes us into the "real" Chicago P.D. with retired Detective Lieutenant Richard Rybicki! The good lieutenant served for over 29 years on the Chicago Police Department where he worked as a Patrol Officer, Tactical Officer, Gang Crimes Specialist, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and Detective Lieutenant. His last assignment was as the Lieutenant/commanding officer of the Area Three Homicide/Sex/Gang Crimes unit. If you want to know how...
Nov 27, 2022•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 94
