The Chief’s Corner

In this episode of the "Chief's Corner, conversations with Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins",  Chief Hawkins speaks with Commander Dan Meehan, Officer Joel Caldwell and Officer Dan Webster about the APD's innovative Therapy Dog Program.   

With over 60 years combined experience, these officers speak about what it takes to be a handler in the program, how it started and how the program strengthens relationships with the Albany community. 

In this episode, Chief Hawkins speaks with Commissioner William Bratton who once served as police commissioner for both the Boston Police Department and New York City Police Department. He also served as Chief of Police for the LAPD. With over 50 years of experience, Commissioner Bratton has been recognized internationally as a law enforcement expert and has advised several police agencies around the globe on best practices to enhance public safety, build police-community partnerships and address quality of life concerns and crime. 

He is also the author of book titled :The Profession - A Memoir of Community, Race and the Arc of Policing in America. 

Hear from Commissioner Bratton about his amazing career,  his philosophies and more. 

In this episode, Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins speaks with Officer Lawan Cancer, Officer Derek Ellis and APD Human Resources Manager Meaghan Depaula about the upcoming police officers exam and why the Albany PD is a place where one can have an exciting and rewarding career. 

If you're interested in learning more or applying to become an Albany police officer, please visit jobs.albanyny.gov/exams. 

In this episode I speak with former NFL running back and Super Bowl Champion Dion Lewis. As an Albany native who played Albany Pop Warner and spent many hours at the Albany Police Athletic League (PAL), Dion talks about his childhood, relationship with police officers and what led to him having a successful career as a professional football player. 

In this episode I speak with Detective Lieutenant Josiah Jones, President of the Albany Police Supervisors Association and Police Officer Michael Delano, President of the Albany Police Benevolent Association. Tune in as we discuss their roles as union leaders representing the men and women of the APD. We also discussed the current climate at the APD to include challenges, but also why the Albany Police Department remains one of the most elite police agencies in the area and is a great place to work and serve. 

In this episode I speak with two dedicated telecommunications specialists (commonly known as dispatchers) from the APD Communications Division. The dispatchers at the APD are truly the unsung heroes of the APD. As the first link in the emergency services chain, they are the first person a member of our community speaks with when they need police, fire or medical services. They also control the airwaves and communicate with APD and AFD personnel to get them where they need to be and ensure they have the resources they need during an emergency. Listen in as you hear about Christina's and Ivory's pathway into this very important line of work and what they experience in their jobs. 

In this episode I speak with Detective Roger Zapata who works in the Criminal Investigation Unit investigating many cases from larcenies to homicides. Detective Zapata tells me about his time in the Dominican Republic as well as his career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) before joining the ranks of the APD. 

In this episode I speak with 22-year-old Francis Hung Mang who is now serving as a patrol officer out of the Albany Police South Station. Officer Hung Mang has a very interesting pathway into law enforcement. As a refuge who fled from Myanmar, (formerly known as Burma) to Malaysia as a child and eventually migrated to the Untied States, Officer Hung Mang discusses with me how he became interested in law enforcement and the steps he took to join the ranks of the APD.