APD Pod Squad

Send us Fan Mail
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.

Send us Fan Mail
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.

Send us Fan Mail
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.

Send us Fan Mail
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.

Send us Fan Mail
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.