Holding The Line

Jason Johnson and Sean Kennedy

Holding the Line is a podcast from the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund sharing firsthand stories and expert insights into what it really means to serve and protect in America today.

  1. 10 hr ago

    25 Years Later: What We Promised Never to Forget

    25 years after the Islamic terror attacks of September 11, 2001, America is once again pausing to remember one of the darkest days in our nation's history - but have we truly kept our promise to never forget? In this special anniversary episode of Holding the Line, LELDF President Jason Johnson and Director of Policy Sean Kennedy reflect on where they were when America came under attack—and on the fear, uncertainty, grief, sacrifice, and extraordinary unity that followed. Jason shares his experience as a police officer living in the Washington, D.C. area on September 11, while Sean recalls watching the attacks unfold as a 17-year-old high school student in California. Together, they remember a country where strangers lined up to donate blood, churches filled, Americans thanked police officers and firefighters, and countless people asked one question: What can I do to help? They also remember the extraordinary sacrifice of the first responders who ran toward danger as others fled. Seventy-two law enforcement officers were killed on September 11, including 37 Port Authority police officers and 23 members of the NYPD. In the years since, hundreds more law enforcement officers have died from illnesses linked to their exposure at Ground Zero. And the toll continues. Today, Jason and Sean ask whether the unity Americans experienced in the aftermath of 9/11 has faded—and whether younger generations are being taught not only what happened that day, but what America witnessed in the days and weeks that followed. What does “Never Forget” really mean? Does it mean remembering the images of the attacks? The nearly 3,000 innocent people who were murdered? The first responders who gave their lives? The Americans who joined the military and public safety professions in the years that followed? Or does it also mean remembering something else? The way Americans came together and understood our common enemy—recognizing the evil we were fighting against. This episode is a conversation—and a challenge—to remember. Where were you on September 11, 2001? What do you remember about the days that followed? And, 25 years later, have we truly lived up to our promise to never forget? We want to hear your memories. Share your stories and photos with us on social media at @LELDF. Subscribe to Holding the Line: A Podcast About Cops, Courts, and Crime on your favorite podcast platform—and please leave us a five-star review.

    25 Years Later: What We Promised Never to Forget

  2. 4 Sept

    He Tracks Flock Crime Data: What Charles Fain Lehman Wishes You Knew About ALPRs

    Flock cameras have quickly become one of the most controversial tools in American law enforcement. But why? On this episode of Holding the Line, Jason Johnson and Sean Kennedy sit down with Charles Fain Lehman, a research fellow at the Manhattan Institute and one of the leading voices pushing back against the growing backlash against Flock and automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). What exactly does Flock do? Is it really a mass-surveillance system? How does it differ from the license plate readers police have used for decades? And what about the legitimate concerns over privacy and potential abuse? Charles breaks down the technology, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the real-world cases where Flock cameras have helped police find missing children, locate wanted suspects, recover stolen vehicles, and solve serious crimes. He also makes the case that the answer isn't to eliminate the technology—but to establish reasonable guardrails governing how police can access, retain, and use the information. And Charles has created a resource to help people see the evidence for themselves: FlockStopsCrime.com Charles' Flock Crime Prevention Tracker is a daily-updated database of news stories documenting cases in which Flock cameras helped solve or prevent crimes. As of September 4, the database contains 1,714 documented incidents. The database includes cases involving everything from vehicle theft and shootings to homicide, robbery, burglary, hit-and-runs, and missing or abducted people. Explore the database: FlockStopsCrime.com — Flock Crime Prevention Tracker Charles Fain Lehman is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor at City Journal. His work focuses on crime, drugs, public disorder, and the public policy of antisocial behavior. Charles recently published “In Defense of Flock,” making the case that police camera technology can provide significant public-safety benefits while still allowing for meaningful safeguards against abuse. Read Charles Fain Lehman's “In Defense of Flock”

    He Tracks Flock Crime Data: What Charles Fain Lehman Wishes You Knew About ALPRs

  3. 27 Aug

    What Actually Works? Peter Moskos on Crime, Cops & Accountability

    What happens when we stop arguing about policing in the abstract and look at what actually works? On this episode of Holding the Line we’re joined by Peter Moskos, professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former Baltimore City police officer who has vital insights on the realities of policing, crime reduction, and the lessons we can learn from some of America’s most dramatic crime declines. Moskos brings a rare perspective to the conversation: he studied policing as an academic, then became a cop himself, working in Baltimore’s Eastern District before returning to academia. His experience informs his approach to studying crime and policing—and his insistence that effective policing deserves to be taken seriously. The conversation explores the remarkable decline in violent crime in New York City during the 1990s, including the role of CompStat, accountability, targeting repeat violent offenders, and a fundamental shift toward making crime reduction an explicit priority of the NYPD. Moskos also discusses why academics and policymakers can be too quick to search for a single explanation for complex changes in crime, why correlation shouldn't be dismissed as meaningless, and why successful policing strategies deserve closer examination rather than ideological dismissal. The conversation also tackles the unintended consequences of measuring police departments by statistics, the evolution of body cameras, civilian oversight, what separates good police departments from bad ones, and the ongoing debate over police reform and abolition. Finally, Moskos weighs in on Baltimore's dramatic recent decline in homicides and why effective police leadership, prosecution, and targeted efforts against repeat violent offenders may offer important lessons for other cities. Peter Moskos is the author of Back from the Brink, an examination of the New York City crime decline. Follow him on X: https://x.com/PeterMoskos Get your copy of Back from the Brink:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0197797776 Holding the Line is a podcast about cops, courts, and crime from the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund - follow us everywhere @ LELDF

    What Actually Works? Peter Moskos on Crime, Cops & Accountability

  4. 20 Aug

    The Future of Policing Is Brighter Than You Think (No, Really)

    In this episode of Holding the Line, Jason Johnson sits down with Bill Alexander, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, to talk about the challenges facing American law enforcement—and why, despite those challenges, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of policing in America. Bill brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to his work at the Memorial Fund, where he now leads an organization dedicated to honoring fallen officers, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making the profession safer. Jason and Bill discuss: The surprising breadth of public support for law enforcement and why Bill's perception of that support changed dramatically after joining the Memorial Fund.The stories behind the names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and why fallen officers should be remembered not simply as statistics, but as fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends, coworkers, and members of their communities.What the Memorial Fund's officer safety and wellness work can teach us about preventing future line-of-duty deaths.The changing approach to officer safety, including the growing emphasis on vehicle safety, physical wellness, and other risks that can be overlooked when we focus exclusively on violent deaths.What the public misunderstands about police use of force, including the fundamental disconnect between what many people believe police officers are legally allowed to do and the actual rules governing the use of force.Why officers may hesitate to use force even when they are legally authorized to do so, and how political pressure, media coverage, and fear of discipline or prosecution can affect decision-making.The growing fear among officers of being punished for doing their jobs, even when they follow their training and the law.The recruitment and retention crisis facing law enforcement—and the surprising reason Bill remains hopeful about the future.The next generation of police officers, who Bill and Jason believe may be bringing greater flexibility, thoughtfulness, and communication skills to the profession.Why every law enforcement officer should experience Police Week at least once and what it can teach them about the people and families behind the names on the Memorial. Despite the challenges facing American policing, Bill says he continues to encounter young people who are willing to dedicate their lives to serving their communities. For him, that willingness—and the quality of many of those entering the profession—is a powerful reason for hope. Learn more about the incredible work of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund—and plan your visit: nleomf.org

    The Future of Policing Is Brighter Than You Think (No, Really)

  5. 14 Aug

    “FUND that sh**!” - A Criminologist's Unfiltered Take on Policing, Crime, & Victims

    On this episode of Holding the Line, Sean Kennedy sits down with Professor Laura Huey of the University of Western Ontario, a criminologist and policing researcher whose path into the field began not through law enforcement, but through personal experience with victimization and growing up in a family where police were frequently called. Huey has spent decades studying policing and victimization in marginalized communities, including extensive work in Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Skid Row. She brings a perspective that challenges some of the conventional assumptions about crime, policing and criminal justice. Please enjoy this episode and admire Sean’s restraint not making too many Canadian jokes. FOLLOW Dr. Huey on X: https://x.com/ProfLauraHuey Her book The Wicked Problems of Police Reform in Canada: https://a.co/d/0dFBJ107 Her book Evidence Based Policing: An Introduction: https://www.amazon.com/Evidence-based-policing-Ren%C3%A9e-Mitchell-ebook/dp/B07KY1R91F?ref_=ast_author_mpb The conversation explores: Why some of the people most vulnerable to violent victimization are also the least likely to report crimes.What Laura learned from working in Skid Row and other marginalized communities.The impossible demands placed on police in communities struggling with addiction, mental illness, homelessness and crime.Whether diversion programs and other alternative approaches to policing actually work—and why Huey is skeptical of poorly designed evaluations.How governments can create incentives for organizations to evaluate their own programs.The difference between funding temporary programs and investing in permanent solutions to problems like addiction and mental illness.The complicated relationship between homelessness, mental illness, addiction and victimization.Why “compassion” without meaningful intervention can sometimes leave vulnerable people trapped in cycles of addiction, crime and victimization.Why victims don't report crimes—and what happens when people lose confidence that the justice system will protect them.How underfunding police, courts and other parts of the criminal justice system ultimately affects victims.The differences between the Canadian and American approaches to criminal justice. Huey's answer to that final question is straightforward: FUND the criminal justice system—and fund independent research to make sure we're actually getting what we're paying for. This is a wide-ranging conversation about policing, public safety, victims and the difficult problems that governments often prefer not to confront. For a Holding the Line first, we're marking this episode EXPLICIT since Dr. Huey has an admittedly filthy mouth. Listener discretion is advised.

    “FUND that sh**!” - A Criminologist's Unfiltered Take on Policing, Crime, & Victims

  6. 6 Aug

    Don't Be Fooled: The Soros DA Movement isn't Losing—It's Adapting

    It feels like the era of "Soros DAs" is coming to an end... High-profile recalls, election defeats, and growing public backlash have fueled the perception that the progressive prosecutor movement is losing momentum. But is it? This week, Sean Kennedy is joined by Parker Thayer, investigative reporter and researcher at the Capital Research Center, to examine how the movement has changed over the past decade.  Rather than disappearing, Parker argues that the organizations, donor networks, and nonprofit infrastructure behind progressive prosecutors have adapted—becoming more sophisticated, more decentralized, and in many cases, harder to track. Together, they explore how billionaire-funded nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and political action committees continue to shape criminal justice policy long after Election Day—and why understanding this ecosystem is just as important as understanding the prosecutors themselves. Parker estimates roughly $1 billion invested over two decades into prosecutor campaigns and related nonprofits. If you want to understand how criminal justice policy is really shaped, this episode lays it out. This episode covers:  • How George Soros built the modern prosecutor movement • Why nonprofit organizations—not campaigns—now drive criminal justice policy • The billion-dollar ecosystem supporting progressive prosecutors • Why donors are becoming increasingly secretive • How these organizations control over 50 DAs offices nationwide If you enjoyed this episode following the money behind America's progressive prosecutor movement, follow Parker and dig into the outstanding work of the Capital Research Center: https://x.com/ParkerThayer https://x.com/capitalresearch https://capitalresearch.org/ https://www.influencewatch.org/

    Don't Be Fooled: The Soros DA Movement isn't Losing—It's Adapting

  7. 30 Jul

    Julie Parker: What Every Police Chief Needs to Know BEFORE a Critical Incident

    When a critical incident happens, the facts aren't the only thing moving fast—misinformation is too. Award-winning journalist and law enforcement communications strategist Julie Parker joins Jason Johnson to discuss why effective communication has become one of the most important responsibilities of modern policing. After spending years as an investigative reporter before leading communications for two major police departments, Julie shares what she learned from both sides of the camera. The conversation explores why police agencies must educate the public long before a crisis occurs, how delayed communication allows false narratives to spread, why body-worn cameras are among the strongest tools for protecting officers, and what every police chief should do BEFORE the next critical incident happens. Whether you're a law enforcement leader, officer, journalist, or simply interested in how public narratives are shaped, this episode offers practical lessons on transparency, trust, and getting the facts out—before someone else tells the story for you. Learn more about Julie's work and connect with her: https://www.julieparkerco.com/ Subscribe to Holding the Line so you never miss an episode

    Julie Parker: What Every Police Chief Needs to Know BEFORE a Critical Incident

  8. 23 Jul

    Brady Lists: How States Are Denying Cops’ Due-Process Rights

    Across the country, law enforcement officers are unjustly tarred with a career-killing scarlet letter that precludes them from participating in most police work... and no opportunity to appeal or often even find out HOW they were put on the list to begin with. Today Sean and Jason lay out what most people don't know about these lists - and why states should pass legislation giving officers a clear explanation for their inclusion on these lists and a meaningful opportunity to appeal. Stay tuned for our upcoming report - and learn more about Cory Novick: https://www.city-journal.org/article/brady-v-maryland-police-officers-due-process Thanks for listening to Holding the Line - follow @LELDF to stay up to date on all our latest cases - and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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About

Holding the Line is a podcast from the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund sharing firsthand stories and expert insights into what it really means to serve and protect in America today.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Johnson and Sean Kennedy
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Jason Johnson and Sean Kennedy

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