Cops and Writers Podcast

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For today’s show, we are traveling to the West Coast and the home of Fisherman’s Warf, The Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and of course, Alcatraz. On today’s episode, we will be chatting with the City of San Francisco Police Sergeant and Bestselling Author, Adam Plantinga. 

Adam Plantinga’s first book, 400 Things Cops Know, was nominated for an Agatha Award and won the 2015 Silver Falchion award for best nonfiction crime reference. It was hailed as “truly excellent” by author Lee Child and deemed “the new Bible for crime writers” by The Wall Street Journal. Adam’s debut novel, Ascent, is burning up the charts and has been optioned for the silver screen by Universal Studios.

Plantinga began his career in law enforcement in 2001 as a Milwaukee police officer. He is currently a sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department assigned to street patrol.   

This interview was near and dear to my heart because Adam started his LE career as a Milwaukee copper, just like me. We never worked together, but we sure have known the same characters and chewed the same dirt.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Why and where Adam got interested in law enforcement?

·      A special thank you to the “Cop Doc” Dr. Ellen Kirschman for introducing us.

·      From the land of Dirty Harry and The Streets of San Francisco. Are there any memorabilia from the shows in the San Francisco PD?

·      How long before Adam made the switch to SFPD from the Milwaukee PD?

·      Why did he switch departments? 

·      Biggest differences between MPD and SFPD, including rank.

·      Is there still the iconic rank of Inspector in the SFPD today?

·      His hot new novel, Ascent.

·      The use of popular thriller tropes in this novel.

·      How Ascent got picked up by Universal Television for a future television series.

Check out Adam's website with links to all of his socials and books.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

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Welcome back to the conclusion of my interview with a former member of the Gambino Crime Family, now International Bestselling Author, Television Producer and Director Louis Ferrante.

Mr. Ferrante grew up in New York City and became entangled in the Gambino crime family. He was eventually arrested and served almost ten years in prison. While he was incarcerated, he taught himself to write, and he fell in love with books. He promised himself that he would someday become an international bestselling author, and he did!

Lou also created, wrote, produced, and hosted Inside The Gangster Code series for Discovery Channel about maximum security prisons and gang culture around the world.  

As a special treat to everyone, I’m bringing back my friend and colleague, Podcaster, Author, and Retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari. Vic spent most of his life in New York City and was assigned to the NYPD’s organized crime unit which specialized in stolen cars, the same area of criminal expertise that was Lou’s, just on the other side of the law.

Please enjoy this powerful and inspirational conversation with Lou Ferrante and Vic Ferrari.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Life in a maximum-security prison.

·      Lightbulb moment for you when you were in prison that it was time for a change. 

·      Did you have to do something to declare that you were no longer a member of the mafia? I thought it was a lifetime commitment.

·      Did you find God, or turn away from him when you were at your lowest in prison? “No atheists in foxholes.”

·      First thing Lou you did when he was released from prison.

·      Lou’s newest book, Borgata: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia (Borgata Trilogy).

·      Why write this book?

·      Mob formed in Sicily. Sicily was an island in itself. Didn’t like rules or outsiders. 

·      How big of an influence is the mafia in Sicily today?

·      The mob and turning adversity into fortune?

·      Prohibition (Kennedy’s and other family’s made millions), the stock market crash of 2029, and World War 2, the U.S. military asking the mob for help.

·      What should we expect in book two?

Check out Lou's newest book, Borgata: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia (Borgata Trilogy)
Visit Lou on his website.

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome to part one of my interview with a former member of the Gambino Crime Family, now International Bestselling Author, Television Producer, and Director Louis Ferrante.

Mr. Ferrante grew up in New York City and became entangled in the Gambino crime family. He was eventually arrested and served almost ten years in prison. While he was incarcerated, he taught himself to write, and he fell in love with books. He promised himself that he would someday become an international bestselling author, and he did!

Lou also created, wrote, produced, and hosted, Inside The Gangster Code series for Discovery Channel about maximum security prisons and gang culture around the world.  

As a special treat to everyone, I’m bringing back my friend and colleague, Podcaster, Author, and Retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari. Vic spent most of his life in New York City and was assigned to the NYPD’s organized crime unit and specialized in stolen cars, the same area of criminal expertise that was Lou’s, just on the other side of the law.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Why do you think we are fascinated with criminals, more specifically gangsters? Some examples are The Sopranos, Scarface, Sons of Anarchy, etc.…?

·      How do you keep these stories of the mob “the old days” fresh for today’s audience?

·      What parallels are there with the mob and the street gangs of today?

·      What was life in a maximum-security prison really like? What keeps someone who will never leave alive in line?

·      What is the attraction to being in a gang or mafia?

·      Is there a mafia today? If yes, where do they operate?

·      How did you go from stealing cars and joyriding to making money chopping a car and later being involved in armed highjackings?

·      How did the mob get interested in you?

·      Eventually you got arrested. What were the circumstances? By what agency? Did you get offered a deal to be a rat? What was the offer? 

·      Is there a code of honor in the mafia and how that has changed over the years?

Check out Lou's newest book, Borgata: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia (Borgata Trilogy)
Visit Lou on his website.

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome back to the conclusion of my interview with Crime Scene Investigator and Author Rebekah Strong.

Rebekah Strong has served as an active member of law enforcement for over twenty years in a major metropolitan police department. She started in patrol and is now serving as a Crime Scene Investigator in her department's forensics unit where she is responsible for processing crimes from murders, robberies, burglaries, sexual assaults, and fatal vehicle crashes, to name a few.

Rebekah Strong, writing under the pen name of R.J. Strong is a popular author that weaves her real-life experiences into her fiction. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Some of the biggest myths and misconceptions regarding CSI work.

·      What are some of the common error’s writers put into their stories regarding CSI work? When is it appropriate to distort reality to fit the story? 

·      The “CSI effect” for jurors making it tough on prosecutors to prove their case.

·      When did the writing bug bite you?

·      Are you self-published or do you have an agent/publisher? Why?

·      How much of your work experiences make it into your books? 

·      Tell us about your latest book, “Perimortem (Elloree Holt Forensic Crime Thriller Book 1).”

 Please visit Becky's website to learn more about her and her books!
Do you want to get your CSI facts straight? Check out Becky's Book, Write Like A CSI: A Forensic Reference for Crime Writers

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome everyone to part one of my interview with Crime Scene Investigator and Author Rebekah Strong.

Rebekah Strong is serving as an active member of law enforcement for over twenty years in a major metropolitan police department. She started in patrol and is now serving as a Crime Scene Investigator in her department's forensics unit where she processes crimes from murders, robberies, burglaries, sexual assaults, and fatal vehicle crashes, to name a few.

Rebekah Strong, writing under the pen name of R.J. Strong is a popular author that weaves her real-life experiences into her fiction. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How she got interested in law enforcement at the tender age of nine.

·      Academy life as only one of four females in her academy class.

·      Equipment that was issued to her when she got out of the academy.

·      Her impressions of field training.

·      Her almost life ending on duty injury and how that shaped her life and career long after the incident.

·      PTSD and the effect it had on her professional and personal life.

 Please visit Becky's website to learn more about her and her books!
Do you want to get your CSI facts straight? Check out Becky's Book, Write Like A CSI: A Forensic Reference for Crime Writers

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Here is a special rebroadcast of my interview with my favorite Irish Cop, Marie O'Halloran!! 

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 squad accident she was severely injured in, and how she uses writing as a coping mechanism.

Not only is Marie a Gard, but she also consults on various novels for best-selling writers and appears in the acknowledgments as Casey King, which is her pen name. Marie is a poet, playwright, and crime novel author.

Check out Marie on Twitter at @letstalkcrime

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Boy, do I have a treat for you guys! Along with my celebrity co-host Jodi Burnett,  my extra special guest on the show today is none other than Award-Winning, Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur, and Award-Winning Podcaster Joanna Penn!!!!

Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller, dark fantasy, crime, and horror author as J.F. Penn. 

She’s also an award-winning podcaster as the host of the Creative Penn Podcast that, according to Listen Notes, is in the top 0.5% of three million of all global podcasts. She is also a creative entrepreneur and a highly sought after international professional speaker.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Trigger warnings and the implications of using them.

·      Her newest book, “Writing The Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness into Words.”

·      The moment in time Joanna Penn quit her day job and took the plunge into being a full-time author entrepreneur. 

·      Lessons learned from Joanna’s business accomplishments and missteps. 

·      Keeping up with and benefiting from artificial intelligence and other fast-paced technology. 

·      Keeping her business as fresh and fun as when she first started.

·      Giving away the farm. When is it appropriate and effective?

·      The impact and value of podcasting. Setting realistic goals and expectations.

·      Joanna’s favorite book she has written.

Please visit Joanna Penn's website to learn more about her and her books!
Please visit Jodi Burnett at her website to learn more about her and her books.

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome to this bonus episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast. 

A little while ago, my good friend Kathleen Donnelley approached me asking if I would give a presentation to the Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers Association regarding Verbal Judo. How can I turn down a good friend and a chance to talk? One minor hitch. I'm not an instructor of Verbal Judo or some kind of Verbal Judo guru. 

After some self-reflection, I recalled the thousands of times myself or other cops on the street used Verbal Judo (or whatever they are calling it today) and I thought I could talk about that.  

Here are some of the talking points.

-Flashbacks to being in the academy in 1995 and receiving Verbal Judo training.
-Props to Dr. George J. Thompson who literally wrote the book, Verbal Judo, Updated Edition: The Gentle Art of Persuasion.
-Attending an eight-hour class given by Dr. Thompson.
-Sometimes you can say things the right way and say the right things, and the incident can go sideways in the blink of an eye.
-People would rather be asked than be told.
-People prefer options over threats.
-The history of law enforcement and de-escalation.
-Some quick and easy ways to avoid fights or confrontations.

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Dr. Michael Caparrelli spent 100 hours,  34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.

Welcome back everyone to the conclusion of my interview with Bestselling Author and Psychologist, Dr. Michael Caparrelli. Dr. Caparrelli holds a PhD in Behavioral Science with an emphasis on Addiction Psychology. 

Dr. Caparrelli spent 100 hours, over 34 sessions with one of the most feared murderers in America’s history, David Berkowitz aka The Son of Sam. Dr. Caparrelli wrote an amazing book titled, MONSTER MIRROR: 100 HOURS with DAVID BERKOWITZ, ONCE KNOW AS THE SON OF SAM that chronicles his time with David Berkowitz. 

Dr. Caparrelli shares valuable insights into his time with one of our nation’s most notorious serial killers in history that are relevant to the times we are living in today. 

As a special treat to everyone, I brought in my friend and colleague, Podcaster, Author, and Retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari. Vic spent most of his life in New York and shares his perspective of the case from the point of view of an NYPD Detective and resident of New York.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Criminal profiling and where David Berkowitz fits?

·      David was also a serial arsonist. What, if anything, did this have to do with him being a mass murderer?

·      Did any of his victims or relatives of victims ever attend David’s parole hearings?

·      Similarities between David and more recent serial or mass-killers?

·      Did Dr. Caparrelli meet with any of the victims or their families before or after this project? Why or why not?

·      David claiming demonic possession as a defense during questioning.

Please visit Dr. Caparrelli on his website!

Check out Vic Ferrari's Amazon Author Page and Podcast

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.  

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Dr. Michael Caparrelli spent 100 hours,  34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.

Welcome everyone to part one of my interview with Bestselling Author and Psychologist, Dr. Michael Caparrelli. Dr. Caparrelli holds a PhD in Behavioral Science with an emphasis on Addiction Psychology. 

Dr. Caparrelli spent 100 hours, over 34 sessions with one of the most feared murderers in America’s history, David Berkowitz aka The Son of Sam. Dr. Caparrelli wrote an amazing book titled, MONSTER MIRROR: 100 HOURS with DAVID BERKOWITZ, ONCE KNOW AS the SON OF SAM that chronicles his time with David Berkowitz. 

Dr. Caparrelli shares valuable insights into his time with one of our nation’s most notorious serial killers in history that are relevant to the times we are living in today. 

As a special treat to everyone, I brought in my friend and colleague, Podcaster, Author, and Retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari. Vic spent most of his life in New York and shares his perspective of the case from the point of view of an NYPD Detective and resident of New York.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Overview of New York in the late 70’s. City was BK, crime was out of control, mob (blackout).

·      Rumors of the NYPD asking the mob for help in catching the Son of Sam.

·      Quick recap of the SOS murders and when they started.

·      How would the NYPD coordinate such a huge task like capturing SOS?

·      How a parking ticket broke the case wide open.

·      How soon after David met his birth mom and sister did he start killing and what influence did that have on his homicidal rampage?

·      Why Dr. Caparrelli wrote the book, Monster Mirror.

Please visit Dr. Caparrelli on his website!

Check out Vic Ferrari's Amazon Author Page and Podcast

Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.  

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show