Opt In NYC

Opt In NYC

Welcome to Opt In NYC, a podcast produced by young New Yorkers in conjunction with the New York City Police Department and Police Foundation. The podcast explores contemporary issues and stories about New York City neighborhoods. New York City teens sit down with NYPD cops to share perspectives and educate one another. For more information, visit options.nyc. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @Options.nyc.

Episodes

29. Taking the NYPD Test

October 26, 2021 • 14 mins
As the test deadline of November 3 approaches, Lt. Tiffany Reid from NYPD's Recruitment Section explains the testing and onboarding process at NYPD. For more information, go to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/po-exam.page
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28. The Game is Real: Human Trafficking

May 20, 2021 • 11 mins
Detective Rosemarie Muckenthaler has seen first-hand how the human trafficking industry preys upon young victims—children who are forced into a life of crime. She has spent the majority of her 23-year career as both an undercover and investigator on different vice squads within the NYPD. Today she serves on the NYPD-FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
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27. Meet an LGBTQ Community Liaison

May 13, 2021 • 25 mins
Police Officer Aaron Ayala works in the LGBTQ Outreach Unit within the NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau. As a community liaison, he collaborates with advocacy organizations and assists survivors of bias incidents.
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26. Documenting the NYPD's Community Outreach

May 6, 2021 • 30 mins
As a photographer and videographer for the Rapid Response Unit within NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau, Police Officer Joseph Ryder documents interactions between officers and community members in need of assistance. His behind-the-scenes role gives him a unique lens on the relationship between police officers and the residents of New York City.
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25. A Day in the Life of an FBI Agent

April 29, 2021 • 21 mins
Meet Special Agent Brian Gander, who works alongside NYPD detectives on New York City's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force teams up federal and local officers, who work together to build cases against sex traffickers and help sex trafficking victims.
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24. A Conversation with Police Officer Stanton

April 22, 2021 • 31 mins
Police Officer Lee Stanton works as a Youth Coordination Officer in Public Service Area 7, which covers New York City Housing Authority buildings in the South Bronx. During the pandemic, P.O. Stanton has devised new ways to provide programming to youth in his area.
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23. From Traffic Agent to Sergeant

April 15, 2021 • 14 mins
Sgt. Simmons began her career in 2007 as a New York City traffic enforcement agent. Five years later, she became a police officer. Since then, she has risen through the ranks, first, joining the Detective Bureau and working on a Narcotics squad, and more recently, getting promoted to the rank of sergeant.
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22. The NYPD Police Officer Exam Explained

April 8, 2021 • 31 mins
Have you ever wondered about the process of becoming a New York City Police Officer? Two representatives from NYPD's Recruitment Section explain the application process, which begins with the written exam. Also, our youth host discusses obstacles that the NYPD faces when recruiting young people today. The application period for this year's Police Officer Exam is from April 7 through April 27. The test will be administered in June 2...
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21. Meet the Commanding Officer of the NYPD's Photo Unit

April 1, 2021 • 17 mins
As the commanding officer of the NYPD's Photo Unit, Lt. Elaine Santiago manages a staff of photographers who cover everything from mug shots to promotion ceremonies. In her off-hours, she remains engaged with her community by coaching youth baseball, organizing senior dominoes tournaments, and DJing at community events.
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20. A Mentor and an MC

March 25, 2021 • 24 mins
Police Officer Javarro Long grew up in the South Bronx with deep ties to the music scene there. Besides becoming an MC, he had another ambition since childhood — becoming a cop. Today, he mentors young people in Harlem at the Youth Strategies Division, which is part of the NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau.
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19. Working as a Graphic Artist at the NYPD

March 18, 2021 • 21 mins
Within the NYPD, there are many different jobs for civilians that span almost every profession —from doctors to lawyers to mechanics. Bronx native Titus Thomas works as a graphic artist for the Creative Services Section, which produces internal and external communications materials for the department. Titus talks about what it's like to be a civilian inside NYPD, and some of the work that has defined his career.
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18. Crime Stoppers

March 11, 2021 • 29 mins
Meet Detectives Delacy and McLaughlin, two seasoned investigators who help solve violent crime as part of the Crime Stoppers Squad. They explain how the anonymous tip line works to keep New York City safe for all New Yorkers. Crime Stoppers is a valuable tool in the NYPD’s shared responsibility philosophy, by incentivizing residents to help protect their neighborhoods.
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17. Back to East New York

March 4, 2021 • 29 mins
A couple of years ago, Inspector Faison was welcomed in as the Commanding Officer of the NYPD's Youth Strategies Division. Today, he works at the NYPD Community Center in East New York, the neighborhood where he grew up, and oversees youth programming, including an aviation program that he teaches.
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16. How to Become a Pilot in the Aviation Unit

February 25, 2021 • 24 mins
Lt. Perez shares his experiences as a pilot in NYPD's Aviation Unit, where for ten years he had a bird's eye view of New York City. Today Lt. Perez works as the operations coordinator at the NYPD Community Center in East New York,
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15. Teaching Empathy with Options.nyc

February 18, 2021 • 23 mins
New York City high school teacher Mandy Pabon offers the Options.nyc program to her students as part of a community service program in New York City public schools. She sees the Options curriculum as a powerful tool to teach empathy to young people, as well as a way overcome divisiveness within local communities.
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14. Get to Know Lieutenant Mike

February 11, 2021 • 25 mins
Meet Lt. Michael Almonte of the NYPD's Youth Services Division. As a teen, he had negative experiences with police, but that all changed when a cop in his neighborhood helped him realize his potential. Today, Lt. Almonte works with young people both on and off the job. He volunteers as a mentor for the New York City non-profit, Student Sponsor Partners, and has recruited more than 300 NYPD cops to become mentors. His personal Insta...
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13. The Paws-itives of Being a K-9 Handler

February 4, 2021 • 29 mins
When a position opened for a Sergeant in the NYPD's Transit Bureau K-9 Unit, Sgt. Marc Richardson jumped at the chance to apply. Today, he and his partner, K-9 Robert Venable, or Ven for short, help keep the subways safe.
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12. Meet Police Officer Pagan

January 28, 2021 • 30 mins
After a traumatic childhood experience, Police Officer Casandra Pagan was inspired to become a cop. She spent the first part of her career as a youth officer, where she mentored a number of Bronx youths. Today, she helps provide important resources for the NYPD's cops and civilians in the Health and Wellness Unit.
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11. On the Beat with a Neighborhood Coordination Officer

January 21, 2021 • 28 mins
Our hosts talk with Officer Richardson, a Neighborhood Coordination Officer (NCO) from the 100th Precinct in Rockaway Beach, New York. NCO Richardson discusses some of the hot-button issues surrounding policing today, including training, neighborhood policing, and funding vs. defunding the police.
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10. The Civilian Complaint Review Board Explained

January 14, 2021 • 32 mins
The Civilian Complaint Review Board is an oversight agency in New York City that investigates civilian complaints of police misconduct. In this episode, Yohaira Alvarez, the Director of Outreach and Governmental Affairs for CCRB, explains how the agency is structured and how their investigations work.
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