170 episodes

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 Patrick O'Donnell

    • True Crime
    • 4.9 • 43 Ratings

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. 

    162 CSI Rebekah Strong: Bridging True Crime with Fictional Thrills in Her Novels. (Part One)

    162 CSI Rebekah Strong: Bridging True Crime with Fictional Thrills in Her Novels. (Part One)

    Welcome everyone to part one of my interview with Crime Scene Investigator and Author Rebekah Strong.
    Rebekah Strong is serving as an active member of law enforcement for over twenty years in a major metropolitan police department. She started in patrol and is now serving as a Crime Scene Investigator in her department's forensics unit where she processes crimes from murders, robberies, burglaries, sexual assaults, and fatal vehicle crashes, to name a few.
    Rebekah Strong, writing under the pen name of R.J. Strong is a popular author that weaves her real-life experiences into her fiction. 
    In today’s episode we discuss:
    ·      How she got interested in law enforcement at the tender age of nine.
    ·      Academy life as only one of four females in her academy class.
    ·      Equipment that was issued to her when she got out of the academy.
    ·      Her impressions of field training.
    ·      Her almost life ending on duty injury and how that shaped her life and career long after the incident.
    ·      PTSD and the effect it had on her professional and personal life.
     Please visit Becky's website to learn more about her and her books!
    Do you want to get your CSI facts straight? Check out Becky's Book, Write Like A CSI: A Forensic Reference for Crime Writers

    Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
    Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
    Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 
    Only for Cops and Writers Podcast listeners! Get 50% off the audiobook version of the F.B.I. K-9 thriller, Avenging Adam by Jodi Burnett. Use code, https://jodi-burnett.com/copsandwriters/

    Support the show

    • 50 min
    Begorrah! It's A Special Bonus St. Patrick's Day Episode With Irish Police Officer (Garda) Marie O'Halloran

    Begorrah! It's A Special Bonus St. Patrick's Day Episode With Irish Police Officer (Garda) Marie O'Halloran

    Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Here is a special rebroadcast of my interview with my favorite Irish Cop, Marie O'Halloran!! 

    Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here is a rebroadcast from a few years ago with my favorite Irish Garda!

    In this special St. Parick's Day bonus episode, Marie O'Hlloran shares her experiences as a 22 year veteran of the Irish Polic Force, An Garda Síochána.

    Marie and I chat about everything from her training at Garda College, experiences on the job, and a treasure trove of other information about the Irish Police Force.

    She also reveals her struggles with the aftermath of a near-fatal squad accident she was severely injured in, and how she uses writing as a coping mechanism.

    Not only is Marie a Gard, but she also consults on various novels for best-selling writers and appears in the acknowledgments as Casey King, which is her pen name. Marie is a poet, playwright, and crime novel author.

    Check out Marie on Twitter at @letstalkcrime

    Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
    Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
    If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
    Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group. 
    Only for Cops and Writers Podcast listeners! Get 50% off the audiobook version of the F.B.I. K-9 thriller, Avenging Adam by Jodi Burnett. Use code, https://jodi-burnett.com/copsandwriters/

    Support the show

    • 1 hr 30 min
    161 Curiosity Unleashed! Exploring Writing, A.I., Podcasting, and Entrepreneurship, With NYT and USA Today Bestselling AuthorJoanna Penn

    161 Curiosity Unleashed! Exploring Writing, A.I., Podcasting, and Entrepreneurship, With NYT and USA Today Bestselling AuthorJoanna Penn

    Boy, do I have a treat for you guys! Along with my celebrity co-host Jodi Burnett,  my extra special guest on the show today is none other than Award-Winning, Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur, and Award-Winning Podcaster Joanna Penn!!!!
    Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller, dark fantasy, crime, and horror author as J.F. Penn. 
    She’s also an award-winning podcaster as the host of the Creative Penn Podcast that, according to Listen Notes, is in the top 0.5% of three million of all global podcasts. She is also a creative entrepreneur and a highly sought after international professional speaker.
    In today’s episode we discuss:
    ·      Trigger warnings and the implications of using them.
    ·      Her newest book, “Writing The Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness into Words.”
    ·      The moment in time Joanna Penn quit her day job and took the plunge into being a full-time author entrepreneur. 
    ·      Lessons learned from Joanna’s business accomplishments and missteps. 
    ·      Keeping up with and benefiting from artificial intelligence and other fast-paced technology. 
    ·      Keeping her business as fresh and fun as when she first started.
    ·      Giving away the farm. When is it appropriate and effective?
    ·      The impact and value of podcasting. Setting realistic goals and expectations.
    ·      Joanna’s favorite book she has written.
    Please visit Joanna Penn's website to learn more about her and her books!
    Please visit Jodi Burnett at her website to learn more about her and her books.

    Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
    Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
    Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 
    Only for Cops and Writers Podcast listeners! Get 50% off the audiobook version of the F.B.I. K-9 thriller, Avenging Adam by Jodi Burnett. Use code, https://jodi-burnett.com/copsandwriters/

    Support the show

    • 49 min
    Bonus Episode! Verbal Judo and De-Escalation With Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell (Retired)

    Bonus Episode! Verbal Judo and De-Escalation With Sergeant Patrick O'Donnell (Retired)

    Welcome to this bonus episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast. 

    A little while ago, my good friend Kathleen Donnelley approached me asking if I would give a presentation to the Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers Association regarding Verbal Judo. How can I turn down a good friend and a chance to talk? One minor hitch. I'm not an instructor of Verbal Judo or some kind of Verbal Judo guru. 

    After some self-reflection, I recalled the thousands of times myself or other cops on the street used Verbal Judo (or whatever they are calling it today) and I thought I could talk about that.  

    Here are some of the talking points.


    -Flashbacks to being in the academy in 1995 and receiving Verbal Judo training. 
    -Props to Dr. George J. Thompson who literally wrote the book, Verbal Judo, Updated Edition: The Gentle Art of Persuasion. 
    -Attending an eight-hour class given by Dr. Thompson.
    -Sometimes you can say things the right way and say the right things, and the incident can go sideways in the blink of an eye. 
    -People would rather be asked than be told.
    -People prefer options over threats. 
    -The history of law enforcement and de-escalation. 
    -Some quick and easy ways to avoid fights or confrontations. 

    Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
    Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
    Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 
    Only for Cops and Writers Podcast listeners! Get 50% off the audiobook version of the F.B.I. K-9 thriller, Avenging Adam by Jodi Burnett. Use code, https://jodi-burnett.com/copsandwriters/

    Support the show

    • 1 hr 14 min
    #160 100 Hours, 34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, The Son of Sam (Part Two)

    #160 100 Hours, 34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, The Son of Sam (Part Two)

    Dr. Michael Caparrelli spent 100 hours,  34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.

    Welcome back everyone to the conclusion of my interview with Bestselling Author and Psychologist, Dr. Michael Caparrelli. Dr. Caparrelli holds a PhD in Behavioral Science with an emphasis on Addiction Psychology. 
    Dr. Caparrelli spent 100 hours, over 34 sessions with one of the most feared murderers in America’s history, David Berkowitz aka The Son of Sam. Dr. Caparrelli wrote an amazing book titled, MONSTER MIRROR: 100 HOURS with DAVID BERKOWITZ, ONCE KNOW AS THE SON OF SAM that chronicles his time with David Berkowitz. 
    Dr. Caparrelli shares valuable insights into his time with one of our nation’s most notorious serial killers in history that are relevant to the times we are living in today. 
    As a special treat to everyone, I brought in my friend and colleague, Podcaster, Author, and Retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari. Vic spent most of his life in New York and shares his perspective of the case from the point of view of an NYPD Detective and resident of New York.

    In today’s episode we discuss:
    ·      Criminal profiling and where David Berkowitz fits?
    ·      David was also a serial arsonist. What, if anything, did this have to do with him being a mass murderer?
    ·      Did any of his victims or relatives of victims ever attend David’s parole hearings?
    ·      Similarities between David and more recent serial or mass-killers?
    ·      Did Dr. Caparrelli meet with any of the victims or their families before or after this project? Why or why not?
    ·      David claiming demonic possession as a defense during questioning.

    Please visit Dr. Caparrelli on his website!

    Check out Vic Ferrari's Amazon Author Page and Podcast

    Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
    Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
    Please visit the Cops and Writers website.  
    Only for Cops and Writers Podcast listeners! Get 50% off the audiobook version of the F.B.I. K-9 thriller, Avenging Adam by Jodi Burnett. Use code, https://jodi-burnett.com/copsandwriters/

    Support the show

    • 51 min
    #159 100 Hours, 34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, The Son of Sam (Part One)

    #159 100 Hours, 34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, The Son of Sam (Part One)

    Dr. Michael Caparrelli spent 100 hours,  34 Sessions With David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.

    Welcome everyone to part one of my interview with Bestselling Author and Psychologist, Dr. Michael Caparrelli. Dr. Caparrelli holds a PhD in Behavioral Science with an emphasis on Addiction Psychology. 
    Dr. Caparrelli spent 100 hours, over 34 sessions with one of the most feared murderers in America’s history, David Berkowitz aka The Son of Sam. Dr. Caparrelli wrote an amazing book titled, MONSTER MIRROR: 100 HOURS with DAVID BERKOWITZ, ONCE KNOW AS the SON OF SAM that chronicles his time with David Berkowitz. 
    Dr. Caparrelli shares valuable insights into his time with one of our nation’s most notorious serial killers in history that are relevant to the times we are living in today. 
    As a special treat to everyone, I brought in my friend and colleague, Podcaster, Author, and Retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari. Vic spent most of his life in New York and shares his perspective of the case from the point of view of an NYPD Detective and resident of New York.

    In today’s episode we discuss:
    ·      Overview of New York in the late 70’s. City was BK, crime was out of control, mob (blackout).
    ·      Rumors of the NYPD asking the mob for help in catching the Son of Sam.
    ·      Quick recap of the SOS murders and when they started.
    ·      How would the NYPD coordinate such a huge task like capturing SOS?
    ·      How a parking ticket broke the case wide open.
    ·      How soon after David met his birth mom and sister did he start killing and what influence did that have on his homicidal rampage?
    ·      Why Dr. Caparrelli wrote the book, Monster Mirror.

    Please visit Dr. Caparrelli on his website!

    Check out Vic Ferrari's Amazon Author Page and Podcast

    Check out Field Training (Brew City Blues Book 1)!!
    Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
    Please visit the Cops and Writers website.  
    Only for Cops and Writers Podcast listeners! Get 50% off the audiobook version of the F.B.I. K-9 thriller, Avenging Adam by Jodi Burnett. Use code, https://jodi-burnett.com/copsandwriters/

    Support the show

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
43 Ratings

43 Ratings

moonmist ,

Nick Petrie - Episode 158

A highly interesting interview with author Nick Petrie. He truly is a ‘blue collar’ author. Lots of great info in this episode. And, as always, Patrick O’Donnell brings out the best in each of his guests and lets them shine. Patrick is always well prepared and asks the questions each of his listeners would ask themselves. He never leaves his guests, or his listeners, hanging. I’ve listened to untold numbers of podcasts on writing and crime and none can hold a candle to Patrick’s Cops and Writers podcast.

RondaWrites ,

Patrick is a great host

Patrick has the perfect voice for a podcaster—and he does a fabulous job interviewing his guests. And the guests are always interesting! If you write crime/suspense/mystery, this is the podcast to follow. 🙌🏻

46774222 ,

Distracting

The podcast material is excellent. The main issue is that there is rustling and background noise ( I think some of it is where the host is writing) that makes it too distracting to listen to.

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