APD Pod Squad

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In this episode, Asheville’s newest Chief of Police, Jackie Stepp. She’d been acting in that role as Interim Chief since Chief Mike Lamb retired in November 2025, but on September 24, the City of Asheville named her permanent Chief of Police. Before becoming Chief, she was the first female Deputy Chief and served as a Captain, Lieutenant, and Sergeant. Also worth noting, she is the department’s only female firearms instructor. With over 20 years at APD, we’ve got a lot to talk about.
Also joining me are Detective Ryan Begley and Forensics Services Technician Tess Allen, who worked together on a Breaking and Entering at Duke Energy that quickly identified a suspect and resulted in felony charges. We’ll hear that story.  
And, from the Asheville Police Foundation, David Plyler and Miranda Bowman. Founded in 2023, according to their mission statement, “The Asheville Police Department Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to gathering community support and resources to enhance the effectiveness of the Asheville Police Department”. One of the ways they support APD is with fundraising events like the upcoming Boo Dash 5K on October 18th. David and Miranda will share more about that and the foundation.

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For most of us, September 11, 2001, is a day and date we’ll never forget. In this episode, I’m joined by Captain Geoffrey Rollins, who shares his unique APD story from that tragic day.
We’ll get to know Senior Police Officer II Doug Williams, who just celebrated twelve years of service with the Asheville Police Department.
And, in another History Minute, Hannah Silberman takes us back through a century of history at the Municipal Building as the latest major renovations get underway, the first since 1998.

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In honor of Grandparents Day on September 13th, this episode highlights APD’s own grandparents: Detective Sergeant Charles Wells ("Pop"), Executive Assistant Julie Wojcik ("Lolly"), and Records Clerk Dale Andrulewich ("Mimi"), alongside her daughter, APD Administrative Assistant Haley Andrulewich.

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Welcome to Season Three! In this episode, Interim Chief of Police Jackie Stepp joins us as we highlight some noteworthy items from the past year. No big surprise, it’s a long list!
With several major events coming up in the next few weeks—including the G-20 Finance Track meetings, an official PGA tournament event, and the Mountain State Fair- Deputy Chief Sean Aardema shares some insights into the extensive planning these events require.
And as we begin Season Three, we invite back a guest from Season One, now-Detective Mackenzie Galyean. She was a Senior Police Officer last time on the Pod Squad, and we’ll get caught up with her.
Hannah Silberman returns with the History Minute, with a Back-to-School theme; who were the first school crossing guards? When did APD get its first Student Resource Officers?

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In this episode, with kids going back to school this month, I’m joined by Master Police Officer Jason Gall, one of the APD’s Student Resource Officers, who walks the halls at Asheville Middle School. 
Also, two of our newest officers to hit the streets are Yahsheem Kendrick and Fraizer Fitzgibbon. Kendrick and Fitzgibbon will begin field training immediately following BLET graduation, and we’ll get to know a little bit more about them and their journey to become APD officers.  
And, Autumn will be here before you know it. Cooler weather, football, pumpkin spice in everything under the sun, and the fall edition of the Citizen’s Police Academy. Captain Jonathan Brown joins me, as registration is now open.