September 23, 2024 • 27 mins
Discover the unique ways the Newport News Police Department is connecting with their community like never before. Join host Peter Woolfolk as he features Captain Morgan Tiejens, Communications Director Kelly King, and Senior Communications Specialist Matt Michalec, who reveal the story behind "Running Code"—their innovative podcast that takes listeners behind the badge. You'll hear about the diverse backgrounds and interests of their officers, from youth sports coaching to martial arts, all aimed at humanizing the police force and strengthening community bonds. This episode promises to provide valuable insights into how law enforcement can effectively use social media to enhance public trust and engagement.
They also delve into the impactful reach of the Running Code podcast, which has garnered praise from local government officials and captured the attention of international listeners. Learn why presenting officers as relatable individuals rather than faceless enforcers is crucial for public perception and trust. We'll discuss the evolving nature of this podcast and the indispensable roles of its key team members. To wrap things up, we express our heartfelt thanks to Captain Tiejens, Kelly King, and Matt Michalec for sharing their journey, and to our loyal listeners for their continued engagement. Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation, and make sure to share your thoughts with us!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Peter Woolfolk (00:23):
Welcome to the Public Relations Review Podcast
and to our listeners all acrossAmerica and around the world.
This podcast is ranked by Appleas one of the top 1% of
podcasts worldwide, so let mesay thank you to all of our
guests and listeners for makingthat possible and, please, we'd
certainly like to receive areview from you on our podcast.
Now question.
(00:44):
We all know that most policedepartments have community
relations offices to facilitatecommunications and activities
with their surroundingcommunities.
However, are you aware that oneof the more innovative
community outreach effortstaking place in one of our great
cities is the community podcast?
Well, my guest today will giveyou an overview of their new
(01:04):
outreach effort, how it came tobe and the success that it now
enjoys.
So joining me today fromNewport News, virginia, are the
creators and members of theNewport News Police Department's
new Running Code podcast.
They are Captain Morgan Tegens,kelly King she's Communications
Director and Matt McCalick andSenior Communications Specialist
(01:27):
.
So let me welcome all of you tothe podcast.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens Thankyou, sir, great to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Peter Woolfolk; Okay.
So, Captain, since you'reprobably the senior person there
, how did this come about?
What led to you guys producinga community podcast?
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (01:44):
So well, I will pass that question
on to Ms King, since she has themost knowledge about that, and
then I'll speak a little bitafter she comments on it.
Kelly, it's all yours.
Speaker 4 Kelly King (01:54):
Okay, well , the chief and I talked about
it a lot and there may even besome disagreement as to whose
actual idea it was between meand the chief, but we'll just
leave that at that.
But we, you know, we have a hugesocial media presence, we have
a great following on most of ourplatforms and we just wanted to
expand that footprint a littlebit more.
(02:16):
So we talked about potentiallydoing a podcast and I really
wanted it to focus on learningmore about the men and women who
work for our department, andnot just what they do for our
department but also just whothey are as people.
You know, kind of putting abeyond the badge kind of feel to
(02:38):
it.
So we just kind of sat down anddecided what we were going to
do, came up with a name for itand we have great partners with
our local city productioncompany that helps us actually
produce the podcast, and we'vehad some great guests and, of
course, captain Tegins is a hostand one of our lieutenants is a
(02:59):
host as well, and they've beenreally super.
Captain Tegins, everybody seemsto have a story about him
because he's been around for awhile.
So that really helps too, but welike to keep it real personal.
Annoucer (03:14):
So what sort of things ?
Peter Woolfolk (03:15):
do you cover.
So that's how it kind of comeabout.
Annoucer (03:17):
Okay, well now.
So what sort of things do youcover on your podcast, on your?
Peter Woolfolk (03:23):
podcast.
Well, just about everything.
We kind of what we do is wekind of what Matt will do, and
Matt speaks a little bit more tothis.
We'll kind of we'll get a listof people that we want to
feature on the podcast, try to,you know, be diverse in their
job responsibilities and thattype of thing, because it does
kind of serve as a recruitmenttool too, because we hope people
(03:44):
look at it and think, wow, Iwant to do that kind of thing,
because it does kind of serve asa recruitment tool too, because
we hope people look at it andthink, wow, I want to do that
kind of thing.
And then he'll talk to themabout their personal lives and,
you know, maybe interestingstories, that kind of thing.
And then we just, you know, wedo a little rapid-fire session
at the end and, you know, justkind of try to have a casual
conversation with them, just sothat people get to know them
(04:04):
more.
Speaker 4 Kelly King (04:05):
you know, the people that are protecting
their own cities we have such adiversity in our officers here
and just the careers, not onlytheir interests within law
enforcement here, but thebackgrounds and where they've
come from, how they came to jointhe department, even their
interests outside of lawenforcement.
(04:26):
Now, you know, I've learned somuch about the officers myself
just in speaking to them beforethey've come on the podcast.
I mean, we've got officers whocoach youth sports, We've got
officers who do woodworking,officers who are very
accomplished martial artists,officers who are very
accomplished martial artists.
So you know, those are some ofthe stories we like to tell and
(04:49):
just show our community some ofthe kinds of people that serve
the community.
Annoucer (04:56):
Now, how do you go about getting feedback from the
community on that?
Is there some sort of way thecommunity folks can reach you
and say here's what we'd like,can reach you and say here's
what we'd like or, in some cases, here's what we'd like to see?
Have you gotten any sort offeedback or interaction from
them on your podcast?
Peter Woolfolk (05:14):
you want to take that?
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (05:15):
oh, I'm sorry.
Go ahead, matt yeah.
Speaker 4 Kelly King (05:18):
So, um, you know, we've certainly had a
lot of folks reach out, um, youknow, both from the community,
um be it social media, you know.
In fact, I think CaptainTeagans probably has might even
be a better one to answer thatquestion, because I know he's
actually had some pretty funnystories of some folks that he's
run into that have given himsome direct feedback.
Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (05:40):
In fact, twice I was approached in
grocery stores by people whosaid you look familiar to me,
you look familiar to me, oh,you're that guy on the podcast.
Then I had a gentleman come upto me at a soccer match and said
hey, when's your next podcastcoming out?
So Melissa and I have both beenrecognized while out and about
just doing our regular dutiesfrom one location to another.
(06:03):
We're approached and and I willtell you, I have never received
any negative feedback on thepodcast most people enjoy not
only learning about the men andwomen of the police department
but our you know,self-deprecating sense of humor.
You know where we joke a littlebit about ourselves.
So so far, well received sohave they?
Annoucer (06:23):
uh, they've been the community who listen.
Have they given you any otherideas or said to you well,
here's some things we'd alsolike to know.
Peter Woolfolk (06:32):
We haven't really had any requests per se
for things.
We have had feedback like thatwas a great one, we really
enjoyed that one, that type ofthing, and we get the feedback
on Facebook or YouTube whereverwe host it and you know we do
some promotion that kind ofthing.
But so far we haven't reallyhad any requests per se, just
(06:54):
great feedback, positive, verypositive feedback.
Annoucer (06:58):
So how often do you do it?
Is it a weekly or twice weekly?
What's the frequency of yourproduction?
Speaker 4 Kelly King (07:05):
So our aim is to produce one every couple
of weeks, so about twice a month, and obviously that can vary a
little bit depending on theschedule of our officers.
We have a lieutenant and acaptain who are very busy, who
serve as our co-hosts, but ourgoal is to turn out two a month.
We've done a total of 12episodes so far.
(07:26):
So that's the general template,obviously knowing that can
change a little bit depending onthe folks, and so our officers
are our hosts and our guests.
Annoucer (07:36):
You know, I think that's interesting because one
of the things in developing mypodcast was how often would I do
it?
And this is sort of a sidelinefor me, it's not a full-time job
, so I had to find what was themanageable thing that I can do.
So I'd say between two andthree a month is what I can do,
and I've been at it for fiveyears and you know, coming up
(08:00):
with topics is a trickysituation sometimes.
So I'm just wondering I mean,you guys have been doing it for
a while now.
So how many different things,how wide of a reach do you use
in terms of your department inletting people know about the
things that you do?
I mean, do you cover everydepartment?
How does that work?
Peter Woolfolk (08:20):
Well, we try to recruit from just about every
department.
So you know we have a goodrepresentation, but you know we
have over 400 some odd swornofficers.
So we kind of figure they allhave a little bit of a different
story as to how they got there,why they became an officer,
what their interests are, thosekind of things.
So we just actually pick names,run them by the chief you know,
(08:41):
and oh yeah, that would be agreat one.
Really no formal way of howchief you know and oh yeah, that
would be a great one.
Really no formal way of how we,you know, choose who's going to
be on the show.
So we just, basically it's justpicking up the phone.
Hey, we think you'd be great onour podcast, would you join us?
Type of thing.
Some people are a little tooshy, but usually they're, you
know, willing to do that.
Annoucer (09:04):
Well, you know, I think the fact that you do have
it on YouTube, which has thevisibility portion of it, might
cause some folks to be shy, butthe fact that you do have it, I
think, is an additional platformthat I would assume adds to its
popularity, that folks canwatch it as well.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tie (09:20):
Absolutely and not only is it on YouTube,
but we actually transmit it onthe City of Newport News
television channel.
So, that's another way thatwe're able to get viewers.
Annoucer (09:34):
Have you let other folks know about this?
In other words, there might besome police conferences of some
kind and you guys take this outthere to let them see.
Hey, here's some of the thingsthat we're doing, and have you
run across any other policedepartments that are doing
anything similar?
Speaker 4 Kelly King (09:49):
We actually have a couple other
police departments in our areawho actually started up podcasts
not too long after we startedours.
They have their different spinon, maybe, how they approach it
as far as who their host mightbe or maybe what their subject
matter is.
So it does maybe seem to besomewhat of an emerging type of
(10:11):
idea, perhaps in law enforcement, and certainly when we were
looking at starting our own, youknow, we went out online and
looked to see what was out thereas well, and there's some
others out there nationwide too.
So it does seem to be an ideathat has, you know, got a bit of
a foothold out there nationally.
You know there's differentniches, different police
departments or different, maybesubject matter podcasts about
(10:34):
policing that are out there too.
So it seems to be like it'smaybe an emerging field perhaps
of law enforcement type ofpodcasts.
Annoucer (10:45):
Now I know you said this is an opportunity for you
to highlight and show members ofyour police department.
Highlight and show members ofyour police department.
Had you ever thought about,maybe at some point in time,
maybe, having some communitymembers to come in and talk to
you on your podcast?
Peter Woolfolk (11:00):
We haven't looked at that type of structure
before.
We certainly haven't ruled itout and we have thought about
expanding it.
Maybe you know, to our 911 team,we would love to get them to
get in there too, and you know,talk about it and talk about
what they do, also an areathat's kind of hard to recruit
for.
So we like to promote, you know, that position and how
(11:24):
important that is.
But community members I canthink of a couple that I would
love to have on, but we have notventured that far out yet.
Annoucer (11:32):
can think of a couple that I would love to have on,
but we have not ventured thatfar out yet.
Well, now tell me, in terms ofnow.
You said it certainly is also arecruiting tool.
How do you tell me how thatworks?
Do you talk to all members ofyour department, the new
recruits or the you knoweverybody, just to let folks
hear you know about the progressyou know, from the time you
were recruited until such andsuch a time you could wind,
(11:53):
about the progress you know fromthe time you were recruited
until such and such a time youcould wind up being this, that
or the other officer and soforth.
How does that work?
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (12:01):
We are very blessed to have a
department that is progressivewhen it comes to recruiting.
We're always looking for waysto inform the public about the
job, but we also want them toknow that you may be that
individual that says tothemselves you know, I really am
fascinated by the job, but Idon't think I can do it.
(12:23):
When you watch our podcast,what you see is you see human
beings, human beings like me whonever thought they could do
this job.
Human beings like me who neverthought they could do this job
but are doing it today and 34years, are still serving the
community.
So we're sending a message outthere that, hey, if you're
considering it, give it a shot.
(12:43):
Give it a shot.
Put in that application andcome on out and join us.
Give it a chance.
Give it a chance.
It may last you a career.
Of course, we talk to therecruits at the academy.
We let them know about thepodcast when we have an
opportunity.
Anytime I'm out in thecommunity, I'm saying, hey, if
you get a chance, watch thepodcast.
So we are informing the publicof the podcast and when they
(13:05):
watch it, they seem to reallyenjoy it, because it's showing
the different side of lawenforcement.
You know, oftentimes what yousee on television is a robotic
police officer that's out theredoing the job and following some
kind of tactical procedure.
What have you?
What you see on that podcast isthree people in T-shirts and
(13:25):
jeans having a good time talkingabout what they've done in the
past, what brought them to lawenforcement.
So it's completely different.
We eliminate the uniform, whichputs everyone at ease, and
again the public sees humanbeings having a conversation.
Annoucer (13:40):
This really sounds like a great idea and, as you
said, obviously other policedepartments are taking notice
and have begun to at leastcreate some of their own.
So I think that now, how aboutthe statewide?
Have any, let's say, thegovernor or the mayor and others
?
Have they taken a look-see atit and if so, what sort of
(14:01):
response have you gotten fromthem?
Peter Woolfolk (14:03):
Locally.
We have gotten an amazingresponse from our mayor.
Our biggest fan seems to be ourvice mayor.
He comments on all of ourpodcasts and how great it is and
what a great show it is.
So here in the city of NewportNews it's very popular and you
know they really like what we'redoing.
We haven't heard much at astate level, even though the
attorney general, I think, hascommented one time on the
(14:26):
podcast too.
So they're seeing it and that'sa good thing.
I think you know we've donewhat 11 episodes, I think.
So we have a little bit morework to do to kind of spread the
word and get people to watch it, promote it a little bit more.
Annoucer (14:41):
Well, you know, a podcast is certainly sort of an
advertising tool, because Ithink your capital is Richmond.
Peter Woolfolk (14:49):
Yes.
Annoucer (14:50):
Right.
So you know those folks whomake the budget up I mean, they
certainly should see this thatyou know here's how some of your
money is being spent and thebenefits they're from.
I think that sort of thingalways helps.
It's, you know, an indirectadvertising tool that you know
money well spent, because we are, you know, connecting with our
community in a way that ismeaningful and responsible.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tie (15:14):
Absolutely , and this transmits far and
wide the podcast.
I have a friend of mine whowatches it in Greece as in the
country, so it really stretchesfar and wide and it's just a
beautiful thing.
I thoroughly enjoy doing it.
Very blessed to be doing it.
Annoucer (15:31):
You know now that you mention that, because that was a
surprising thing to me.
You know, as I mentioned, I'mheard in 147 countries.
That is nothing that I workedat.
I basically stumbled onto it onmy hosting site for maybe a
year and a half.
I saw this little word up therethat said Stats.
Matt Michalec (15:47):
I said oh heavens .
Annoucer (15:49):
Let me click on that and see what's going on.
Come to see I was being heardin other countries.
I had no idea because, you know, the hosting site never said a
word about it and that's when Istarted looking at.
You know, maybe I should growthis thing and slowly but surely
it was a matter of my reading.
I had never done podcasts.
I've done radio in the past,but podcasts I had no idea what
(16:12):
it was when I first heard aboutit, when I started reading.
What do I need to do to make agreat podcast and what do people
listen for?
and try to follow thoseguidelines, and it seems to me
that you guys are doing the samething.
You know that you want to, andthe fact that you have a video
really adds to its attraction,that people will like it as well
as hearing, as well as seeingit.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiej (16:37):
Certainly adds quite a bit to it, and I
tip my hat to you for that.
Well, we're very, very luckythat matt and kelly are on board
and they are really the theorganizers of this podcast, and
they're kind of giving us thatdirection, because if you watch
all 11 episodes, you'll see thatthere's an evolution that takes
place in how we present theproduct, so to speak, and when
we need to tweak it.
Matt and Kelly will tell usthat, which makes me and Melissa
(17:04):
better at interviewing peopleand makes just the overall show
better.
So we're very lucky that wehave experienced folks like them
that are driving this podcast.
Annoucer (17:08):
You know, one of the things that I think you know
whenever you think that you'reready.
You know, one of the thingsthat I think you know whenever
you think that you're ready isthere are a wide variety of
organizations that have contestsfor podcasts, that give awards
for them.
So you might want to considerat some point in time taking a
look, see what are they lookingfor, what do they require, and
you know, just fill out theapplication and send it in.
(17:29):
I've certainly won a few onmine the application and send it
in.
And I've certainly won a few onmy on mine.
What caught me by surprise acouple of times?
That I got an invitation fromuh some organization in london
to uh apply for an award.
Because they heard me overthere, I said, well, what the
hell, why not?
And I did and I won something.
Peter Woolfolk (17:45):
So that's another way of congratulation so
letting people, we're ready todo that.
Yeah, we're ready.
Annoucer (17:53):
And seriously I mean we think we are.
Peter Woolfolk (17:56):
No, yeah, that'd be great.
Annoucer (17:58):
And let me say this as I said, I certainly looked at a
couple of your episodes and theproduction quality is
exceptionally good.
I mean, I really tip my hat toyou for that.
When I saw the Rode microphonesup there and video and I said,
wow, this is good looking stuffhere.
(18:19):
I mean that's the sort of thingsthat adds to your acceptability
of how well is it produced.
You know people look at thosekinds of things and you know the
fact that your stuff is good,your topic is, you know, makes a
lot of sense.
So that's the kind of thingthat people pay attention to and
especially and you know havingworked for government in
Congress and other things whenit's time to submit your budget,
folks are going to say, well,what have you done for me lately
?
Well, this podcast is one ofthe major things that helps
(18:40):
police get a good.
You know people support policedepartments that they like.
There's no question about it.
And when it comes to budget,you know somebody that's up
there defending your budget.
Look at what we've done.
And here's the reaction we'regetting from public that we
serve as a result of thispodcast.
Matt Michalec (18:57):
Those things help .
Annoucer (18:58):
So I'm just saying that you know, having been down
this road, you've got a lot ofgood things going for you, and
part of it should be that youknow now, not only talk to the
public, but let's indirectlytalk to the legislators down in
Richmond so they'll maybe lookat us a bit more favorably when
budget time comes.
Peter Woolfolk (19:17):
Definitely.
Most definitely and that'sanother thing is our chief is so
supportive.
Like I said, you know it washis idea, but he's very
supportive and always willing totry new and different things
and willing to share, too, too,what we're doing.
And you know, attends, ofcourse, national conferences for
chiefs of police and that typeof thing and loves going to see
(19:40):
that we really are, you know,cutting edge on what people are
doing out there.
Always feels really goodwalking away, knowing that we're
really leading the way when itcomes to community relations,
social media and that type ofthing and connecting with our
community, and he's real proudof our podcast.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (19:58):
Well, that's it, and I would be
remiss Sorry go on.
I would be remiss and I knowKelly and Matt agree with me if
we didn't tip our hat off toJohn and the entire team at the
City Channel who hosts us andreally has set up the studio and
production.
The production value isincredible because those guys
are tip-top.
They've been doing it for years, so hats off to them.
(20:21):
We really owe them a big thankyou, and I know that Matt and
Kelly agree with me Absolutely.
Annoucer (20:25):
Well, those kind of things, the support staff.
You've got to take care of yoursupport staff.
There's no question about it.
I'm single-handed here.
But you know the other thing asI listen to you talk about
going to police conferencesaround the country, you know you
might want to consider doing apodcast at one of those
conferences.
You know I'm sure you can workout some topics in terms of
(20:46):
community relations, maybe havea podcast on community relations
by different departments andsee how some of those are doing
and have that as part of one ofyour episodes.
So I see a lot of differentways that you can begin to build
this particular podcast, andthe fact that you've got good
production quality certainlyadds to the support of it from
(21:06):
people both inside and outsideof the department.
Peter Woolfolk (21:08):
I'm taking notes .
Yes, good ideas.
Thank you yeah.
Annoucer (21:15):
Well, let me say this you know I'm glad that I ran
across this article and made acall to you guys about this,
because I think that, as publicrelations people, a lot of folks
who do listen in my audienceare public relations people who
perhaps have an interest in this.
I think I did a podcast, maybea couple of years ago, with a
police department out in Montana, and the reason I did that was
(21:38):
because I read an article thatthey were putting on courses for
police departments about havinga good public relations program
, because the public needs toknow what you're doing.
So I had a moment to talk aboutthat several years ago and when
I saw your podcast piece there,I said, wow, some PR folks
might need to see this and younever know what might come of it
(21:58):
.
So let me ask you before weclose this now is there anything
that you think that we have notcovered in terms of, or did you
like to say that we've missedin terms of talking about your
podcast?
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (22:09):
If I could offer one thing to any
police organization that's outthere thinking about doing a
podcast allow it to be organic.
You know, know a little bit.
The host should know a littlebit about the person that you're
going to be interviewing.
But let it be organic, let itbe what it is.
Listen to what the guest issaying and ask questions based
(22:29):
on what they're saying.
You want it to be genuine andthat's important and anyone
watching the podcast will knowif it's scripted.
Speaker 4 Kelly King (22:38):
Be genuine , they appreciate that and I
would also say it definitelyhelps that definitely be mindful
and thoughtful when picking thehosts.
I mean something as simple asthat.
I mean the fact that we haveLieutenant Morgan and Captain
Tegins.
They just do a great job andthey have previous experience
working together within thedepartment, so they know each
(23:00):
other.
They have some stories they'vetold on each other, but you know
that they have that previousrelationship and they can kind
of play off each other someduring the shows as well, which
kind of makes it even even allthe more fun.
Peter Woolfolk (23:10):
Um, you know, when we get time to actually do
the recordings too yes, and Ithink um captain morgan and um
matt have summed it up reallywell.
I just feel very fortunate thatwe have such great people that
we can feature and that we havean opportunity to feature what
these people do every day andwho these people really are.
(23:32):
And you know, it's a verydifficult job and they get put
in different baskets all thetime and judged and whatnot, and
I love the opportunity that wecan show people who they are and
appreciate them for what theydo.
Annoucer (23:48):
Well, let me say this I certainly do appreciate you
guys taking the time to come onthis podcast to talk about what
it is you do, about your podcast, and I think the listeners will
appreciate hearing about thispolice department taking the
initiative to do what you'vebeen doing.
So let me say, once again,thank you to Captain Morgan
Tegens and Kelly King and MattMihalik from the Newport News
(24:11):
Police Department and theirRunning Codes podcast, and I'd
like also to say thank you to myguests not to my guests for
taking the time to come on, andI'd also like to say thank you
to my guests not to my guestsfor taking the time to come on,
and I'd also like to say thankyou to my listeners.
I hope that you've appreciatedit and certainly, again, we'd
like to get a review from youand, if you've enjoyed the
podcast, share it with yourcolleagues and we'll look for
(24:32):
you on the next edition of thePublic Relations Review Podcast.
Matt Michalec (24:38):
This podcast is produced by Communication
Strategies, an award-winningpublic relations and public
affairs firm headquartered inNashville, Tennessee.
Thank you for joining us.
Welcome to the Public Relations Review Podcast
and to our listeners all acrossAmerica and around the world.
This podcast is ranked by Appleas one of the top 1% of
podcasts worldwide, so let mesay thank you to all of our
guests and listeners for makingthat possible and, please, we'd
certainly like to receive areview from you on our podcast.
Now question.
(00:44):
We all know that most policedepartments have community
relations offices to facilitatecommunications and activities
with their surroundingcommunities.
However, are you aware that oneof the more innovative
community outreach effortstaking place in one of our great
cities is the community podcast?
Well, my guest today will giveyou an overview of their new
(01:04):
outreach effort, how it came tobe and the success that it now
enjoys.
So joining me today fromNewport News, virginia, are the
creators and members of theNewport News Police Department's
new Running Code podcast.
They are Captain Morgan Tegens,kelly King she's Communications
Director and Matt McCalick andSenior Communications Specialist
(01:27):
.
So let me welcome all of you tothe podcast.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens Thankyou, sir, great to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Peter Woolfolk; Okay.
So, Captain, since you'reprobably the senior person there
, how did this come about?
What led to you guys producinga community podcast?
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (01:44):
So well, I will pass that question
on to Ms King, since she has themost knowledge about that, and
then I'll speak a little bitafter she comments on it.
Kelly, it's all yours.
Speaker 4 Kelly King (01:54):
Okay, well , the chief and I talked about
it a lot and there may even besome disagreement as to whose
actual idea it was between meand the chief, but we'll just
leave that at that.
But we, you know, we have a hugesocial media presence, we have
a great following on most of ourplatforms and we just wanted to
expand that footprint a littlebit more.
(02:16):
So we talked about potentiallydoing a podcast and I really
wanted it to focus on learningmore about the men and women who
work for our department, andnot just what they do for our
department but also just whothey are as people.
You know, kind of putting abeyond the badge kind of feel to
(02:38):
it.
So we just kind of sat down anddecided what we were going to
do, came up with a name for itand we have great partners with
our local city productioncompany that helps us actually
produce the podcast, and we'vehad some great guests and, of
course, captain Tegins is a hostand one of our lieutenants is a
(02:59):
host as well, and they've beenreally super.
Captain Tegins, everybody seemsto have a story about him
because he's been around for awhile.
So that really helps too, but welike to keep it real personal.
Annoucer (03:14):
So what sort of things ?
Peter Woolfolk (03:15):
do you cover.
So that's how it kind of comeabout.
Annoucer (03:17):
Okay, well now.
So what sort of things do youcover on your podcast, on your?
Peter Woolfolk (03:23):
podcast.
Well, just about everything.
We kind of what we do is wekind of what Matt will do, and
Matt speaks a little bit more tothis.
We'll kind of we'll get a listof people that we want to
feature on the podcast, try to,you know, be diverse in their
job responsibilities and thattype of thing, because it does
kind of serve as a recruitmenttool too, because we hope people
(03:44):
look at it and think, wow, Iwant to do that kind of thing,
because it does kind of serve asa recruitment tool too, because
we hope people look at it andthink, wow, I want to do that
kind of thing.
And then he'll talk to themabout their personal lives and,
you know, maybe interestingstories, that kind of thing.
And then we just, you know, wedo a little rapid-fire session
at the end and, you know, justkind of try to have a casual
conversation with them, just sothat people get to know them
(04:04):
more.
Speaker 4 Kelly King (04:05):
you know, the people that are protecting
their own cities we have such adiversity in our officers here
and just the careers, not onlytheir interests within law
enforcement here, but thebackgrounds and where they've
come from, how they came to jointhe department, even their
interests outside of lawenforcement.
(04:26):
Now, you know, I've learned somuch about the officers myself
just in speaking to them beforethey've come on the podcast.
I mean, we've got officers whocoach youth sports, We've got
officers who do woodworking,officers who are very
accomplished martial artists,officers who are very
accomplished martial artists.
So you know, those are some ofthe stories we like to tell and
(04:49):
just show our community some ofthe kinds of people that serve
the community.
Annoucer (04:56):
Now, how do you go about getting feedback from the
community on that?
Is there some sort of way thecommunity folks can reach you
and say here's what we'd like,can reach you and say here's
what we'd like or, in some cases, here's what we'd like to see?
Have you gotten any sort offeedback or interaction from
them on your podcast?
Peter Woolfolk (05:14):
you want to take that?
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (05:15):
oh, I'm sorry.
Go ahead, matt yeah.
Speaker 4 Kelly King (05:18):
So, um, you know, we've certainly had a
lot of folks reach out, um, youknow, both from the community,
um be it social media, you know.
In fact, I think CaptainTeagans probably has might even
be a better one to answer thatquestion, because I know he's
actually had some pretty funnystories of some folks that he's
run into that have given himsome direct feedback.
Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (05:40):
In fact, twice I was approached in
grocery stores by people whosaid you look familiar to me,
you look familiar to me, oh,you're that guy on the podcast.
Then I had a gentleman come upto me at a soccer match and said
hey, when's your next podcastcoming out?
So Melissa and I have both beenrecognized while out and about
just doing our regular dutiesfrom one location to another.
(06:03):
We're approached and and I willtell you, I have never received
any negative feedback on thepodcast most people enjoy not
only learning about the men andwomen of the police department
but our you know,self-deprecating sense of humor.
You know where we joke a littlebit about ourselves.
So so far, well received sohave they?
Annoucer (06:23):
uh, they've been the community who listen.
Have they given you any otherideas or said to you well,
here's some things we'd alsolike to know.
Peter Woolfolk (06:32):
We haven't really had any requests per se
for things.
We have had feedback like thatwas a great one, we really
enjoyed that one, that type ofthing, and we get the feedback
on Facebook or YouTube whereverwe host it and you know we do
some promotion that kind ofthing.
But so far we haven't reallyhad any requests per se, just
(06:54):
great feedback, positive, verypositive feedback.
Annoucer (06:58):
So how often do you do it?
Is it a weekly or twice weekly?
What's the frequency of yourproduction?
Speaker 4 Kelly King (07:05):
So our aim is to produce one every couple
of weeks, so about twice a month, and obviously that can vary a
little bit depending on theschedule of our officers.
We have a lieutenant and acaptain who are very busy, who
serve as our co-hosts, but ourgoal is to turn out two a month.
We've done a total of 12episodes so far.
(07:26):
So that's the general template,obviously knowing that can
change a little bit depending onthe folks, and so our officers
are our hosts and our guests.
Annoucer (07:36):
You know, I think that's interesting because one
of the things in developing mypodcast was how often would I do
it?
And this is sort of a sidelinefor me, it's not a full-time job
, so I had to find what was themanageable thing that I can do.
So I'd say between two andthree a month is what I can do,
and I've been at it for fiveyears and you know, coming up
(08:00):
with topics is a trickysituation sometimes.
So I'm just wondering I mean,you guys have been doing it for
a while now.
So how many different things,how wide of a reach do you use
in terms of your department inletting people know about the
things that you do?
I mean, do you cover everydepartment?
How does that work?
Peter Woolfolk (08:20):
Well, we try to recruit from just about every
department.
So you know we have a goodrepresentation, but you know we
have over 400 some odd swornofficers.
So we kind of figure they allhave a little bit of a different
story as to how they got there,why they became an officer,
what their interests are, thosekind of things.
So we just actually pick names,run them by the chief you know,
(08:41):
and oh yeah, that would be agreat one.
Really no formal way of howchief you know and oh yeah, that
would be a great one.
Really no formal way of how we,you know, choose who's going to
be on the show.
So we just, basically it's justpicking up the phone.
Hey, we think you'd be great onour podcast, would you join us?
Type of thing.
Some people are a little tooshy, but usually they're, you
know, willing to do that.
Annoucer (09:04):
Well, you know, I think the fact that you do have
it on YouTube, which has thevisibility portion of it, might
cause some folks to be shy, butthe fact that you do have it, I
think, is an additional platformthat I would assume adds to its
popularity, that folks canwatch it as well.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tie (09:20):
Absolutely and not only is it on YouTube,
but we actually transmit it onthe City of Newport News
television channel.
So, that's another way thatwe're able to get viewers.
Annoucer (09:34):
Have you let other folks know about this?
In other words, there might besome police conferences of some
kind and you guys take this outthere to let them see.
Hey, here's some of the thingsthat we're doing, and have you
run across any other policedepartments that are doing
anything similar?
Speaker 4 Kelly King (09:49):
We actually have a couple other
police departments in our areawho actually started up podcasts
not too long after we startedours.
They have their different spinon, maybe, how they approach it
as far as who their host mightbe or maybe what their subject
matter is.
So it does maybe seem to besomewhat of an emerging type of
(10:11):
idea, perhaps in law enforcement, and certainly when we were
looking at starting our own, youknow, we went out online and
looked to see what was out thereas well, and there's some
others out there nationwide too.
So it does seem to be an ideathat has, you know, got a bit of
a foothold out there nationally.
You know there's differentniches, different police
departments or different, maybesubject matter podcasts about
(10:34):
policing that are out there too.
So it seems to be like it'smaybe an emerging field perhaps
of law enforcement type ofpodcasts.
Annoucer (10:45):
Now I know you said this is an opportunity for you
to highlight and show members ofyour police department.
Highlight and show members ofyour police department.
Had you ever thought about,maybe at some point in time,
maybe, having some communitymembers to come in and talk to
you on your podcast?
Peter Woolfolk (11:00):
We haven't looked at that type of structure
before.
We certainly haven't ruled itout and we have thought about
expanding it.
Maybe you know, to our 911 team,we would love to get them to
get in there too, and you know,talk about it and talk about
what they do, also an areathat's kind of hard to recruit
for.
So we like to promote, you know, that position and how
(11:24):
important that is.
But community members I canthink of a couple that I would
love to have on, but we have notventured that far out yet.
Annoucer (11:32):
can think of a couple that I would love to have on,
but we have not ventured thatfar out yet.
Well, now tell me, in terms ofnow.
You said it certainly is also arecruiting tool.
How do you tell me how thatworks?
Do you talk to all members ofyour department, the new
recruits or the you knoweverybody, just to let folks
hear you know about the progressyou know, from the time you
were recruited until such andsuch a time you could wind,
(11:53):
about the progress you know fromthe time you were recruited
until such and such a time youcould wind up being this, that
or the other officer and soforth.
How does that work?
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (12:01):
We are very blessed to have a
department that is progressivewhen it comes to recruiting.
We're always looking for waysto inform the public about the
job, but we also want them toknow that you may be that
individual that says tothemselves you know, I really am
fascinated by the job, but Idon't think I can do it.
(12:23):
When you watch our podcast,what you see is you see human
beings, human beings like me whonever thought they could do
this job.
Human beings like me who neverthought they could do this job
but are doing it today and 34years, are still serving the
community.
So we're sending a message outthere that, hey, if you're
considering it, give it a shot.
(12:43):
Give it a shot.
Put in that application andcome on out and join us.
Give it a chance.
Give it a chance.
It may last you a career.
Of course, we talk to therecruits at the academy.
We let them know about thepodcast when we have an
opportunity.
Anytime I'm out in thecommunity, I'm saying, hey, if
you get a chance, watch thepodcast.
So we are informing the publicof the podcast and when they
(13:05):
watch it, they seem to reallyenjoy it, because it's showing
the different side of lawenforcement.
You know, oftentimes what yousee on television is a robotic
police officer that's out theredoing the job and following some
kind of tactical procedure.
What have you?
What you see on that podcast isthree people in T-shirts and
(13:25):
jeans having a good time talkingabout what they've done in the
past, what brought them to lawenforcement.
So it's completely different.
We eliminate the uniform, whichputs everyone at ease, and
again the public sees humanbeings having a conversation.
Annoucer (13:40):
This really sounds like a great idea and, as you
said, obviously other policedepartments are taking notice
and have begun to at leastcreate some of their own.
So I think that now, how aboutthe statewide?
Have any, let's say, thegovernor or the mayor and others
?
Have they taken a look-see atit and if so, what sort of
(14:01):
response have you gotten fromthem?
Peter Woolfolk (14:03):
Locally.
We have gotten an amazingresponse from our mayor.
Our biggest fan seems to be ourvice mayor.
He comments on all of ourpodcasts and how great it is and
what a great show it is.
So here in the city of NewportNews it's very popular and you
know they really like what we'redoing.
We haven't heard much at astate level, even though the
attorney general, I think, hascommented one time on the
(14:26):
podcast too.
So they're seeing it and that'sa good thing.
I think you know we've donewhat 11 episodes, I think.
So we have a little bit morework to do to kind of spread the
word and get people to watch it, promote it a little bit more.
Annoucer (14:41):
Well, you know, a podcast is certainly sort of an
advertising tool, because Ithink your capital is Richmond.
Peter Woolfolk (14:49):
Yes.
Annoucer (14:50):
Right.
So you know those folks whomake the budget up I mean, they
certainly should see this thatyou know here's how some of your
money is being spent and thebenefits they're from.
I think that sort of thingalways helps.
It's, you know, an indirectadvertising tool that you know
money well spent, because we are, you know, connecting with our
community in a way that ismeaningful and responsible.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tie (15:14):
Absolutely , and this transmits far and
wide the podcast.
I have a friend of mine whowatches it in Greece as in the
country, so it really stretchesfar and wide and it's just a
beautiful thing.
I thoroughly enjoy doing it.
Very blessed to be doing it.
Annoucer (15:31):
You know now that you mention that, because that was a
surprising thing to me.
You know, as I mentioned, I'mheard in 147 countries.
That is nothing that I workedat.
I basically stumbled onto it onmy hosting site for maybe a
year and a half.
I saw this little word up therethat said Stats.
Matt Michalec (15:47):
I said oh heavens .
Annoucer (15:49):
Let me click on that and see what's going on.
Come to see I was being heardin other countries.
I had no idea because, you know, the hosting site never said a
word about it and that's when Istarted looking at.
You know, maybe I should growthis thing and slowly but surely
it was a matter of my reading.
I had never done podcasts.
I've done radio in the past,but podcasts I had no idea what
(16:12):
it was when I first heard aboutit, when I started reading.
What do I need to do to make agreat podcast and what do people
listen for?
and try to follow thoseguidelines, and it seems to me
that you guys are doing the samething.
You know that you want to, andthe fact that you have a video
really adds to its attraction,that people will like it as well
as hearing, as well as seeingit.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiej (16:37):
Certainly adds quite a bit to it, and I
tip my hat to you for that.
Well, we're very, very luckythat matt and kelly are on board
and they are really the theorganizers of this podcast, and
they're kind of giving us thatdirection, because if you watch
all 11 episodes, you'll see thatthere's an evolution that takes
place in how we present theproduct, so to speak, and when
we need to tweak it.
Matt and Kelly will tell usthat, which makes me and Melissa
(17:04):
better at interviewing peopleand makes just the overall show
better.
So we're very lucky that wehave experienced folks like them
that are driving this podcast.
Annoucer (17:08):
You know, one of the things that I think you know
whenever you think that you'reready.
You know, one of the thingsthat I think you know whenever
you think that you're ready isthere are a wide variety of
organizations that have contestsfor podcasts, that give awards
for them.
So you might want to considerat some point in time taking a
look, see what are they lookingfor, what do they require, and
you know, just fill out theapplication and send it in.
(17:29):
I've certainly won a few onmine the application and send it
in.
And I've certainly won a few onmy on mine.
What caught me by surprise acouple of times?
That I got an invitation fromuh some organization in london
to uh apply for an award.
Because they heard me overthere, I said, well, what the
hell, why not?
And I did and I won something.
Peter Woolfolk (17:45):
So that's another way of congratulation so
letting people, we're ready todo that.
Yeah, we're ready.
Annoucer (17:53):
And seriously I mean we think we are.
Peter Woolfolk (17:56):
No, yeah, that'd be great.
Annoucer (17:58):
And let me say this as I said, I certainly looked at a
couple of your episodes and theproduction quality is
exceptionally good.
I mean, I really tip my hat toyou for that.
When I saw the Rode microphonesup there and video and I said,
wow, this is good looking stuffhere.
(18:19):
I mean that's the sort of thingsthat adds to your acceptability
of how well is it produced.
You know people look at thosekinds of things and you know the
fact that your stuff is good,your topic is, you know, makes a
lot of sense.
So that's the kind of thingthat people pay attention to and
especially and you know havingworked for government in
Congress and other things whenit's time to submit your budget,
folks are going to say, well,what have you done for me lately
?
Well, this podcast is one ofthe major things that helps
(18:40):
police get a good.
You know people support policedepartments that they like.
There's no question about it.
And when it comes to budget,you know somebody that's up
there defending your budget.
Look at what we've done.
And here's the reaction we'regetting from public that we
serve as a result of thispodcast.
Matt Michalec (18:57):
Those things help .
Annoucer (18:58):
So I'm just saying that you know, having been down
this road, you've got a lot ofgood things going for you, and
part of it should be that youknow now, not only talk to the
public, but let's indirectlytalk to the legislators down in
Richmond so they'll maybe lookat us a bit more favorably when
budget time comes.
Peter Woolfolk (19:17):
Definitely.
Most definitely and that'sanother thing is our chief is so
supportive.
Like I said, you know it washis idea, but he's very
supportive and always willing totry new and different things
and willing to share, too, too,what we're doing.
And you know, attends, ofcourse, national conferences for
chiefs of police and that typeof thing and loves going to see
(19:40):
that we really are, you know,cutting edge on what people are
doing out there.
Always feels really goodwalking away, knowing that we're
really leading the way when itcomes to community relations,
social media and that type ofthing and connecting with our
community, and he's real proudof our podcast.
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (19:58):
Well, that's it, and I would be
remiss Sorry go on.
I would be remiss and I knowKelly and Matt agree with me if
we didn't tip our hat off toJohn and the entire team at the
City Channel who hosts us andreally has set up the studio and
production.
The production value isincredible because those guys
are tip-top.
They've been doing it for years, so hats off to them.
(20:21):
We really owe them a big thankyou, and I know that Matt and
Kelly agree with me Absolutely.
Annoucer (20:25):
Well, those kind of things, the support staff.
You've got to take care of yoursupport staff.
There's no question about it.
I'm single-handed here.
But you know the other thing asI listen to you talk about
going to police conferencesaround the country, you know you
might want to consider doing apodcast at one of those
conferences.
You know I'm sure you can workout some topics in terms of
(20:46):
community relations, maybe havea podcast on community relations
by different departments andsee how some of those are doing
and have that as part of one ofyour episodes.
So I see a lot of differentways that you can begin to build
this particular podcast, andthe fact that you've got good
production quality certainlyadds to the support of it from
(21:06):
people both inside and outsideof the department.
Peter Woolfolk (21:08):
I'm taking notes .
Yes, good ideas.
Thank you yeah.
Annoucer (21:15):
Well, let me say this you know I'm glad that I ran
across this article and made acall to you guys about this,
because I think that, as publicrelations people, a lot of folks
who do listen in my audienceare public relations people who
perhaps have an interest in this.
I think I did a podcast, maybea couple of years ago, with a
police department out in Montana, and the reason I did that was
(21:38):
because I read an article thatthey were putting on courses for
police departments about havinga good public relations program
, because the public needs toknow what you're doing.
So I had a moment to talk aboutthat several years ago and when
I saw your podcast piece there,I said, wow, some PR folks
might need to see this and younever know what might come of it
(21:58):
.
So let me ask you before weclose this now is there anything
that you think that we have notcovered in terms of, or did you
like to say that we've missedin terms of talking about your
podcast?
Speaker 3 Morgan Tiejens: (22:09):
If I could offer one thing to any
police organization that's outthere thinking about doing a
podcast allow it to be organic.
You know, know a little bit.
The host should know a littlebit about the person that you're
going to be interviewing.
But let it be organic, let itbe what it is.
Listen to what the guest issaying and ask questions based
(22:29):
on what they're saying.
You want it to be genuine andthat's important and anyone
watching the podcast will knowif it's scripted.
Speaker 4 Kelly King (22:38):
Be genuine , they appreciate that and I
would also say it definitelyhelps that definitely be mindful
and thoughtful when picking thehosts.
I mean something as simple asthat.
I mean the fact that we haveLieutenant Morgan and Captain
Tegins.
They just do a great job andthey have previous experience
working together within thedepartment, so they know each
(23:00):
other.
They have some stories they'vetold on each other, but you know
that they have that previousrelationship and they can kind
of play off each other someduring the shows as well, which
kind of makes it even even allthe more fun.
Peter Woolfolk (23:10):
Um, you know, when we get time to actually do
the recordings too yes, and Ithink um captain morgan and um
matt have summed it up reallywell.
I just feel very fortunate thatwe have such great people that
we can feature and that we havean opportunity to feature what
these people do every day andwho these people really are.
(23:32):
And you know, it's a verydifficult job and they get put
in different baskets all thetime and judged and whatnot, and
I love the opportunity that wecan show people who they are and
appreciate them for what theydo.
Annoucer (23:48):
Well, let me say this I certainly do appreciate you
guys taking the time to come onthis podcast to talk about what
it is you do, about your podcast, and I think the listeners will
appreciate hearing about thispolice department taking the
initiative to do what you'vebeen doing.
So let me say, once again,thank you to Captain Morgan
Tegens and Kelly King and MattMihalik from the Newport News
(24:11):
Police Department and theirRunning Codes podcast, and I'd
like also to say thank you to myguests not to my guests for
taking the time to come on, andI'd also like to say thank you
to my guests not to my guestsfor taking the time to come on,
and I'd also like to say thankyou to my listeners.
I hope that you've appreciatedit and certainly, again, we'd
like to get a review from youand, if you've enjoyed the
podcast, share it with yourcolleagues and we'll look for
(24:32):
you on the next edition of thePublic Relations Review Podcast.
Matt Michalec (24:38):
This podcast is produced by Communication
Strategies, an award-winningpublic relations and public
affairs firm headquartered inNashville, Tennessee.
Thank you for joining us.
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