Cops and Writers Podcast
Cops and Writers is a podcast hosted by retired police sergeant and author, Patrick O'Donnell. The podcast provides valuable insights and humor for crime writers who want to create accurate and believable police stories. O'Donnell conducts in-depth interviews with members of law enforcement and civilian experts, discussing police procedures and culture. He also interviews crime fiction writers and writers from different genres, discussing what works in the ever-changing landscape of book sales and publishing. The podcast offers candid stories told with cop humor and technical details about the world of law enforcement.
Cops and Writers Podcast
Going Undercover With Las Vegas Metro Police Sergeant Jenn Benjamins! (Part One)
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What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Not today. Welcome, everyone, to part one of my interview with retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Jenn Benjamins. The conclusion of this interview will be next Sunday!
Jenn Benjamins is a retired sergeant from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with nearly 22 years of real-world experience in patrol, case investigations, and covert/undercover operations.
She began her career in patrol before moving into Community Oriented Policing, serving in one of the newest area commands in the oldest, most historic parts of Las Vegas.
Her interest in undercover work led her to the Vice Section, where she refused to be limited by traditional expectations. While excelling in female undercover roles, Jenn was determined - and succeeded - in working undercover alongside her male counterparts. She went on to develop a specialized training program within the Vice Section, implement policy, and conduct department-wide training on vice crimes and related laws.
Throughout her career, Jenn worked a wide variety of undercover assignments throughout Las Vegas, collaborating not only with specialized units such as narcotics but also with federal partners, including the ATF, DEA, and FBI.
Recognizing a critical need, Jenn founded Covert Blue, where she makes it her mission to provide specialized training for women in undercover roles - programs that build technical expertise while also addressing the unique dynamics and challenges women face in the field.
Please enjoy this eye-opening, entertaining, and informative interview with someone who has lived a life that is found more often in movies and books.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
· Where and how she got interested in law enforcement.
· Why be a cop in Vegas?
· Jenn’s experience in the police academy being one of the few females in her class.
· Her first day of field training.
· An armed suspect firing at an airship on her first assignment.
· Her first day going out solo when she finished field training.
· First time riding the lightning (Taser) during training.
· Jenn’s crazy pepper spray story.
· How soon she started doing undercover work. Was she ready?
· Her first time being an undercover prostitute and an interesting question she didn’t know how to answer.
· Arresting pimps and other prostitutes for pandering.
All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.
Check out Jenn's website!
Visit the Cops & Writers Website!
What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?
My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.
That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.
Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon.
Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th
