When Abby Ellsworth launched “On Being a Police Officer” in 2020, her goal was to give law enforcement professionals a national platform to share real stories from the field. With a background in creating training and recruiting videos, and years of interviewing officers in Washington state, Ellsworth felt compelled to do more as she watched the profession come under attack. The result: a podcast where law enforcement professionals are heard — and civilians are invited to listen in and better understand the people behind the badge.
Now in its fifth year, the podcast has featured officers from patrol to command staff, and from every kind of assignment — homicide, undercover, gangs, K-9 and more. With no ads or subscription fees, Ellsworth’s only goal is support: for officers, and for the truth.
In this Q&A, she shares how the podcast began, her favorite episode and what other officers should know about launching a show of their own. Find “On Being a Police Officer” on Spotify, Apple and all major podcast platforms, and follow Abby on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can email her at or visit her website.
What prompted you to start a podcast?
I am a civilian, and what prompted me to launch “On Being a Police Officer” in 2020 was my deep desire to publicly support law enforcement in the midst of civil unrest and riots. I saw a profession I respect — and had worked with for 10 years — under attack physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically. Through interviews I had done with law enforcement beginning in 2010, I learned the real stories of police work. I knew how much each of you gives of yourself and how much the job takes from you.
The work I had been doing involved interviewing officers and deputies from police departments and sheriff’s offices, the Washington State Training Commission and several first responder nonprofits in the greater Seattle area where I lived at the time. This work was for print, as well as video, that I shot and edited for training and recruiting purposes. I also produced several police awards banquets. Over those 10 years, I probably interviewed and worked with nearly 100 officers and went on dozens of ride-alongs. I had a sense of the profession and the remarkable people who devote themselves to it.
When 2020 happened, I could not sit idly by. I had to share what I had learned — what I knew. Equally important, I wanted to give law enforcement a safe place to be seen and heard. I felt compelled to take that message beyond my community; I needed to be able to broadcast it nationally. I decided the most effective way to do that was to launch a podcast that would allow me to interview officers from around the country. I wanted to share their stories — the real stories of law enforcement — not the ones we were seeing in the media.
We’ve come a long way. In the early days, the focus was on issues plaguing law enforcement at the time: defund, abolish and undermine with illogical police reform legislation — all of which I covered in conversation with my guests. I let them share how they felt and the emotional toll it was taking. But we also moved beyond the issues. We moved into what makes law enforcement such a noble profession and what drew them to law enforcement. They talked about the people they remembered and the incidents they remembered. What the rewards have been. And how, for most officers, this profession is a calling. As one officer told me, “I do it because I want to help people — people who are in need of our help.”
I’ve interviewed officers with three years on to 33 years on — from patrol to command staff. I’ve included a wide range of specialty units including homicide, long-term deep undercover, gang, sexual assault, narcotics, DV, SWAT, K9 and SRO. I’ve covered the tough stories — line-of-duty deaths, suicides, critical incidents, PTSD, medical retirement and more. And there are the funny stories, like the undercover who couldn’t catch the fleeing male prostitute running in heels.
I occasionally break down incidents that make the news because the media will never present a complete, unbiased or informed perspective — especially when force, particularly deadly force, is used. In doing these breakdowns, I want law enforcement to feel supported, but I also want to help educate my fellow civilians. All I ask is that if we are going to ask questions, let’s wait for and listen to the answer.
Did you have any prior experience in producing audio/video?
With audio and video, yes — but not with podcasting. As I mentioned above, I had a video production company and made recruiting and training videos for a number of area agencies. But when it came to podcasting, I thought I would need a soundproof studio, professional microphones, headphones and that my guests would have to be in person. Then one day, I saw my husband do a podcast interview from his office. He talked to the host via Zoom, recorded his audio into his iPhone and emailed the file. I thought, that’s it? That’s all there is to it?
I knew from listening to other podcasts that what was then called Anchor.fm (now Spotify) would host and distribute it for free. I already knew how to edit video and audio, but I chose to make my podcast audio-only, which makes it much easier to edit. That’s how I started. I have since upgraded my equipment, recording platform and distribution platform.
What equipment do you use?
I now have what many podcasters use: a RODE PodMic and a RODECaster Pro audio mixer that connects to my laptop. The mixer helps to get that studio sound, and the mic is far better than using a computer mic. I don’t have a studio — I just use a room, whether a bedroom or an office, that has a fair amount of furniture, wall hangings and carpeting (bare floors make the audio sound too tinny). I was advised to add pillows or comforters to further absorb sound. I record on a platform called Riverside.fm and distribute through Captivate.
What is the goal of the podcast?
As I say in the open of each episode, my goal is to tell the real stories of law enforcement — the ones that don’t make the news. I do it because I see a noble profession that few people understand or seek to understand. It is my mission to help change that and for law enforcement to feel supported. I also want to bring my fellow civilians along on this journey of understanding.
How do you find guests?
In the beginning, I relied on the network I had built through my written and video work. My LEO friends would recommend someone, make the introduction, give me the stamp of approval, and we’d go from there. Now, after four years, many officers contact me. I’m reachable through my email, website or Instagram.
When I hear a guest on other podcasts that I’d like to interview, I contact that podcast host or the guest directly if their contact info is available. Many officers who don’t have podcasts are still active on social media and can be contacted there. I also offer the option to not use your full name or reference your agency for those who prefer anonymity.
Are you doing anything unique with the podcast to connect with your audience?
I would say the podcast itself is how I connect with my audience. It’s how I show my support. I find that the podcast provides a level of catharsis for my guests in the telling of their stories — and for the audience in hearing them. I stay in touch with many of the officers I’ve interviewed (I call them “my officers”), and in many cases we’ve become friends. I also help connect other law enforcement podcasters with guests who’ve been on my show and vice versa.
What has the feedback been so far?
The overarching feedback is: thank you. Thank you for listening and telling our stories. Thank you for your endless curiosity about what we do. Two listeners have told me my podcast inspired them to go into law enforcement. In an Apple review, one wrote in part: “I came to this podcast honestly to find a reason that would make me not want to do the job. I wanted to hear the worst of the worst about the job to know if I truly wanted this or not. This podcast is why I’m applying now. This podcast helped me find a way to express the necessity of the job and the media’s assault on society by making police the enemy.”
What has been your favorite episode to date?
One that resonates with me to this day is an episode I did in 2021 (Ep. 21). It was so emotional for me, I reposted it (Ep. 65) for my four-year anniversary in 2024. It was with filmmaker Patrick Shaver, a former police officer who made the documentary “Officer Involved” about the impact of a deadly force encounter on the officer — something rarely discussed or considered. Many of you know the film. I was deeply moved by it when I saw it. It was my deepest hope to reach Patrick and get him on the podcast, and I was thrilled when he agreed. We discussed his inspiration for making the film and many of the stories in it — the devastation many of these officers felt. How, on any given day, your life can change in an instant. As Patrick says, there are two sides to the gun, and each life is forever changed.
What advice do you have for police officers looking to launch a podcast?
It can be done! First, decide what your approach will be. I recommend listening to other police podcasts to see what you like. Mine is a pretty straightforward interview format. Others are more conversational or storytelling-based. Some follow a format with the same questions each time.
Think about what your message is and what your goal is. If you’re retired, you can use your real name and agency name if you choose. But you don’t have to. Many officers, including those on active duty, use a clever pseudonym or just their first name and don’t reference their agency.
Decide your frequency. Most podcasts drop weekly on the same day, which helps the algorithm. But it’s a lot of work — that’s why mine is monthly. One option is to have “seasons” where you record 4–6 episodes, release them weekly, then take a break. You don’t have to do video — but good audio is key, and that’s where to invest.
Ask for help. The podcasting community — especially law enforcement podcasters — is more than willing to offer tips and advice.
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