Reasons We Serve: Police Careers & Officer Experience

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Reasons We Serve: Police Careers & Officer Experience episodes

March 17, 2024 Episode 52 Texas Ranger Job Espinoza
Years of Service: 2007-Present

Job began his career in law enforcement as a Police Officer with the Graham Police Department in 2007. Job then worked at the Palo Pinto Sheriff's Office and the Texas Highway Patrol. During his career, Job has investigated homicides, narcotics, persons crimes and was a hostage negotiator. Job also worked on the US/Mexico Border on the Cortina Unit tracking drug smugglers and human traffickers. In 2020, Job became a Texas Ranger where he currently serves in Mineral Wells, Texas.
1 hr 9 min
March 10, 2024 Episode 51 Wise County Sheriff and retired Texas Ranger Lane Akin
Years of Service: 1974-Present

Lane Akin began his law enforcement career in 1974 at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport Department of Public Safety. Two years later Lane joined the Texas Department of Public Safety. He worked as a Highway Patrol Trooper, a Narcotics Agent, a Texas Ranger, and a Texas Ranger supervisor. Just before retirement, he was the supervising Texas Ranger Lieutenant for Company “B,” the northeastern corner of Texas. Later, he served as the Wise County Sheriff’s Office Enforcement Captain. On March 1, 2016, he was elected to be the Wise County Sheriff and continues to serve in that capacity.

Lane is also the author of a non-fiction book based on true stories called The Point: Dawn of the Texas Meth War.
1 hr 7 min
March 03, 2024 Episode 50 R. Brandon Bess Texas Ranger
Years of Service: 1994-Present

Brandon began his career in law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff with the Henderson Police Department in 1994. After about a year, Brandon transferred to the Texas Highway Patrol where he worked for 10 years. In 2005, Brandon became a Special Agent with the Texas DPS Criminal Investigations Division where he started working cases involving narcotics and auto theft but became an expert in gangs in the State of Texas. In 2013, Brandon became a Texas Ranger where he currently works investigating major crimes including murder, public corruption, sexual assaults, and major felony thefts.
1 hr 18 min
February 25, 2024 Episode 49 Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Detective Robert Gillis
Years of Service: 1996-2021

During this episode, Robert discusses his beginning days with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Robert began working as a deputy in the jail and during this time developed an interest in working with gangs after a friend and fellow officer was killed by gang members. After working in the jail, Robert worked on patrol and was eventually promoted to detective where he continued working on gang investigations focusing on murder, narcotics, and violent crime. Robert also discusses the school shooting at Saugus High School and gives a very candid interview about the toll being a law enforcement officer can take and the friends that he has lost along the way.
1 hr 34 min
February 18, 2024 Episode 48 Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling
Years of Service: 1988-present

Sheriff Spurling served as a United States Marine from 1984-1988. In 1988, Sheriff Spurling was hired by the Washington State Patrol. From 1988-2013, Sheriff Spurling served as a WSP Trooper in Western and Eastern Washington. After retiring from WSP in 2013, Sheriff Spurling decided to continue with his law enforcement career and began working for the Mason County Sheriff's Office. In 2023, Sheriff Spurling was elected Sheriff where he currently serves the citizens of Mason County.
1 hr 7 min
February 11, 2024 Episode 47 (Episode 2) former DEA Tech Agent William "Bill" Foulk
During part 2 of Episode 47, Bill discusses his career with the Drug Enforcement Administration as an Investigative Specialist/Tech Agent. During his career with DEA from 1993-2021, Bill worked in the field supporting DEA Special Agents with technical operations including enhancing the car-to-car radio systems as well as the installation of covert camera systems. During the interview, Bill discusses some of his responsibilities as well as two stories where he operated in an undercover capacity to get video surveillance of known drug distribution operations operating inside two businesses.
42 min
February 04, 2024 Episode 47 (Episode 1) former United States Army Ranger William "Bill" Foulk
1975-1992

Crips vs United States Army Rangers

Interview with former United States Army Ranger William "Bill" Foulk. Bill began his career with the United States Army in 1975. Bill eventually became a U.S. Army Ranger where he was stationed in Tacoma, Washington. In 1989, Bill had a crackhouse open up in his neighborhood that was being run by the Crips gang. After reporting the illegal activity several times to the Tacoma Police Department, a confrontation finally took place between Bill and the gang members resulting in over 300 rounds being fired. The following video is an exclusive interview with Bill which has never been told. Bill details the events leading up to the shootout, as well as some of the incorrect details that have been reported since 1989. Bill also discusses the aftermath of the shooting and the negative impact on his military career as well as the troubling response the United States Army had about this incident.
1 hr
January 28, 2024 Episode 46 retired Bellevue Police Department Captain Autumn Manning
Years of Service: 1993-2023

Autumn attended the University of Washington where she earned her law degree before deciding she didn’t want to sit behind a desk her entire career. In 1993, Autumn began working as a patrol officer for the Lynnwood Police Department which is located just north of Seattle. Autumn worked there for 3 years before transferring to the Bellevue Police Department. During her career, Autumn worked as a Detective in the Special Victims Unit where she investigated crimes such as homicide, domestic assaults, and sexual assaults. Autumn started to be promoted through the department and held the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. During this time, she was in charge of departments such as Human Resources, Personnel Services, and Recruiting. Autumn retired in 2023 and is currently a Senior Recruitment Specialist for the Seattle Police Department. During this episode, Autumn discusses her experiences as a female officer as well as the challenges of recruiting police officers in this era.
46 min
January 21, 2024 Episode 45 Bellevue Police Department Major/Washington DC Metro Detective John Manning
Years of Service: 1989-2015

John began his career in 1989 with the Washington DC Metro Police Department. John started on patrol but was quickly promoted to Detective in the Narcotics Unit. After 5 years with the DC Metro Police, John transferred to the Bellevue Police Department in Bellevue, Washington. During his time with the Bellevue P.D., he was a Patrol Officer, Narcotics Detective, Hostage Negotiator, K-9 supervisor and SWAT Team Commander. John rose quickly through the ranks of Bellevue P.D. and reached the rank of Major before leaving law enforcement in 2015.
1 hr 20 min
January 14, 2024 Episode 44 retired Douglas County Sheriff Sergeant Bo Allen
Years of Service: 1990-2020

Bo began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in Washington State. During his time with Douglas County, Bo served as a patrol deputy as well as a detective where he investigated drug cases, property crimes and homicide. Bo served on the SRT team and was a Firearms instructor and EVOC instructor. Bo retired at the rank of sergeant in 2020.
1 hr 1 min

About Reasons We Serve: Police Careers & Officer Experience

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Police officer stories and law enforcement interviews revealing why people choose careers in policing.
Do you ever wonder why people go into law enforcement? Does being in law enforcement change…