New York’s Finest: Retired & Unfiltered Podcast

John D. Macari Jr. & Eric S. Dym, Bleav
  • 4.7 (134)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast that explores the “Greatest Show on Earth” everyday life & politics of NYC and the NYPD. Explore the life & careers of our guests. Hear real unfiltered views & opinions from those who at one time policed the streets of NYC. Hear True Crime Stories like you never heard them before! THE FINEST UNFILTERED PODCAST

  1. 2h ago

    Rekor CEO Robert Berman on AI, License Plate Readers & Your Privacy

    The debate over public safety, artificial intelligence, license plate readers and personal privacy is intensifying across America. In this episode of The Finest Unfiltered, we sit down with Robert A. Berman, Chairman & CEO of Rekor Systems (NASDAQ: REKR), to discuss whether communities really have to choose between effective public-safety technology and protecting the privacy of ordinary citizens. Rekor believes there is another way. As Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) and vehicle-recognition systems face increased scrutiny over surveillance, data retention, information sharing and government access, Rekor has proposed a privacy-focused architecture designed to preserve legitimate law-enforcement uses while reducing unnecessary collection and exposure of information involving everyday drivers. We discuss: • How Rekor's technology differs from other ALPR systems • Why license plate readers have become so controversial • How ALPR can help law enforcement solve crimes and locate wanted or stolen vehicles • Data retention and who should have access to vehicle information • Protecting information involving drivers who aren't connected to criminal activity • Accountability, auditing and evidentiary integrity • The growing role of AI in policing and roadway intelligence • Whether public safety and privacy can actually coexist With the national debate increasingly framed as security vs. surveillance, Robert Berman explains why Rekor believes technology can provide law enforcement with valuable intelligence without forcing Americans to surrender reasonable expectations of privacy. Learn more about Rekor: Learn more about Rekor Systems (NASDAQ: REKR): www.rekor.ai KALSHI — THE FINEST UNFILTERED PARTNER Download the Kalshi app and use promo code FINEST to get $10 when you trade $10. https://kalshi.com/r/FINEST Subscribe to The Finest Unfiltered for independent conversations about policing, public safety, technology, politics and the issues affecting law enforcement across America. #Rekor #RobertBerman #ALPR #LicensePlateReaders #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Privacy #PublicSafety #LawEnforcement #PoliceTechnology #Surveillance #RekorSystems #TheFinestUnfiltered Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Rekor CEO Robert Berman on AI, License Plate Readers & Your Privacy

  2. 2d ago

    NYPD's JOHN CHELL FOR MAYOR — IS NYC READY?

    Former NYPD Chief of Department John Chell wants to be the next Mayor of New York City. But before New Yorkers decide whether a former cop belongs in City Hall, The Finest Unfiltered is taking a look at the entire John Chell record — not just the campaign promises. Chell is proposing a dramatically different direction for the NYPD, including making it the highest-paid police department in the nation, increasing the department to nearly 40,000 officers, and establishing physical-fitness standards for members of every rank. That last proposal raises some interesting questions. Throughout Chell's rise through the NYPD ranks, critics and observers questioned his own physical appearance and whether he appeared to represent the type of fitness standard he is now advocating for other officers and supervisors. Chell also retired from the NYPD on a three-quarter disability pension, reportedly worth approximately $296,000 per year and largely tax-free. We examine Chell's lengthy and checkered NYPD history, controversies surrounding his leadership, and the recent lawsuits in which Chell has been named, while distinguishing allegations contained in litigation from established facts. There is also the other side of the argument. Chell spent more than three decades in the NYPD and ultimately became Chief of Department — the highest-ranking uniformed position in America's largest police department. He understands policing, crime and the internal workings of New York City government in a way few traditional political candidates can claim. So what would a Mayor John Chell actually look like? Could a former NYPD Chief restore staffing, morale and competitive salaries to the department? Or will Chell's record, controversies, disability pension and past leadership decisions become major liabilities once a citywide campaign begins examining his career? We break down the good, the bad and the controversial and ask: JOHN CHELL FOR MAYOR — IS NYC READY? KALSHI Download the Kalshi app and use promo code FINEST to get $10 when you trade $10. https://kalshi.com/r/FINEST Subscribe to The Finest Unfiltered for independent coverage and analysis of the NYPD, NYC politics, crime, policing and public safety. #JohnChell #NYPD #NYCMayor #NYCPolitics #ZohranMamdani #NewYorkCity #Police #TheFinestUnfiltered Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    NYPD's JOHN CHELL FOR MAYOR — IS NYC READY?

  3. 5d ago

    The NYPD Abandoned Police Officer Omar Habib

    NYPD Police Officer Omar Habib dedicated 19 years to a job that constantly tells its members that the “NYPD family” will always have their backs. But when Habib needed that support most, was he abandoned by the very institution he served? In this episode of New York’s Finest: Retired & Unfiltered, John Macari, Eric Dym & Marlon Bethel take a deep dive into the case of former NYPD Officer Omar Habib—examining the incident, the decisions that followed, and the legal battle that has left serious questions about how police officers are treated when an encounter becomes controversial. We break down the facts of Habib’s case, examine the actions and decisions being scrutinized, and ask a much bigger question: Do Blue Lives Really Matter—or only when it’s politically convenient? This episode isn’t just about one police officer. It’s about what happens when cops who are expected to make split-second decisions suddenly find themselves standing alone. SUPPORT OMAR HABIB’S LEGAL DEFENSE: https://fundthefirst.com/campaign/legal-defense-appeal-fund-for-former-nypd-officer-omar-habib-fsipuh WHERE IS THE PBA ? KALSHI — OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE FINEST UNFILTERED Download the Kalshi app and use code FINEST to get $10 when you trade $10. https://kalshi.com/r/FINEST Subscribe to The Finest Unfiltered for independent coverage and analysis of the NYPD, policing, New York City politics, public safety, criminal justice, and the stories affecting cops that the mainstream media often overlooks. #NYPD #OmarHabib #BlueLivesMatter #Police #NYC #NewYorkCity #LawEnforcement #PoliceOfficer #TheFinestUnfiltered #NYPDNews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The NYPD Abandoned Police Officer Omar Habib

  4. Aug 19

    Flock Cameras: Public Safety or Mass Surveillance?

    Flock cameras are rapidly expanding across America, giving law enforcement access to a powerful network of automated license plate readers capable of identifying vehicles and helping investigators track suspects and solve crimes. But as the technology expands, so does a much bigger question: How much surveillance are Americans willing to accept in the name of public safety? In this episode of The Finest Unfiltered, we break down the growing debate surrounding Flock Safety cameras, automated license plate readers (ALPRs), police surveillance, privacy rights, and the Fourth Amendment. Are Flock cameras simply another valuable tool that helps police locate stolen vehicles, identify suspects, and solve violent crimes? Or are we quietly building a massive surveillance network capable of tracking the movements of ordinary Americans who have committed no crime? We discuss: • How Flock cameras and ALPR technology work • How law enforcement uses the data during investigations • The public-safety argument for expanding camera networks • Privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns • Who should have access to the information • How long location data should be retained • The difference between legitimate investigations and mass surveillance • Whether technology is moving faster than the laws designed to protect our privacy • Where America should draw the line between FREEDOM and SAFETY Technology has changed policing forever. The question is whether the safeguards protecting Americans from government surveillance can keep up. What do you think? Would you support Flock cameras in your community if they helped police solve serious crimes, or does the potential for widespread surveillance go too far? ️ THE FINEST UNFILTERED — New York’s Finest: Retired & Unfiltered SPONSORED BY KALSHI Download the Kalshi app and use code FINEST to get $10 when you trade $10. Kalshi: https://kalshi.com/r/FINEST #FlockSafety #FlockCameras #ALPR #LicensePlateReaders #PoliceSurveillance #Privacy #FourthAmendment #CivilLiberties #LawEnforcement #Policing #PublicSafety #NYPD #TheFinestUnfiltered Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Flock Cameras: Public Safety or Mass Surveillance?

  5. Aug 17

    The Gunfire Missing From The NYPD's "Record Low" Shooting Stats

    The NYPD has repeatedly celebrates historic declines in shootings — but what if a major category of gunfire isn't included in the shooting numbers being promoted to the public? Tomorrow on The Finest Unfiltered, we break down NYC Council Int. 935-A, legislation approved by the City Council requiring the NYPD to publicly report confirmed firearm discharges — including incidents where nobody was struck by gunfire. For years, the NYPD's publicly reported shooting-incident statistics have focused on incidents involving shooting victims. But when someone fires a gun on a NYC street and misses everyone, that gunfire does not necessarily appear in the shooting-incident numbers cited when officials announce declining shootings. Now NYC wants those confirmed firearm discharges reported separately. We break down: What Int. 935-A requires. The difference between a shooting incident and a confirmed firearm discharge Why shots fired where nobody is struck matter when measuring gun violence Whether the additional data could change how New Yorkers view NYC's historic crime reductions. And the biggest question: How much gunfire has been occurring that isn't reflected in the headline shooting numbers? Is NYC really experiencing historically low gun violence or have New Yorkers been looking at an incomplete picture?The Finest Unfiltered Sponsored by Kalshi Download the Kalshi app and use code FINEST to get $10 when you trade $10. Kalshi: https://kalshi.com/r/FINEST #NYPD #NYC #NYCCrime #CrimeStats #Shootings #GunViolence #NewYorkCity #NYCNews #TheFinestUnfiltered Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Gunfire Missing From The NYPD's "Record Low" Shooting Stats

  6. Aug 14

    “Defund The Police" Mamdani wants Overseas NYPD Protection for his Wife

    MAMDANI CAUGHT IN THE ACT? Zohran Mamdani has been one of the NYPD’s most vocal critics but what happens when his own family wants the protection of the very police department he has spent years attacking? On this episode of The Finest Unfiltered, we break down the controversy surrounding an alleged attempt to secure an NYPD escort/security detail for Mamdani’s wife and the questions it raises about taxpayer-funded police resources, political privilege and who exactly is entitled to NYPD protection. Then we turn to a major case that could have consequences for cops across New York City: NYPD Officer Guilty Under NYC’s Chokehold Law A Bronx NYPD officer has been found guilty on all counts in what News 12 describes as a landmark case involving NYC’s prohibition on certain restraint methods. Prosecutors say the officer was convicted of second-degree strangulation, third-degree assault and unlawful methods of restraint. We break down the case, the controversial law, what police officers are actually permitted to do when physically restraining a resisting suspect, and what this verdict could mean for cops on the street. ON TODAY’S SHOW: • Mamdani and the NYPD security controversy • Should his wife receive NYPD protection? • Political hypocrisy or legitimate security need? • Who pays for the detail? • Landmark NYPD chokehold-law conviction • What the verdict means for NYC cops • The future of hands-on policing in New York City ️ New York’s Finest: Retired & Unfiltered SPONSORED BY KALSHI Download the Kalshi app and use code FINEST to get $10 when you trade $10. Kalshi: https://kalshi.com/r/FINEST Check the offer shown during signup/Rewards for the current eligibility and promotional terms. #NYPD #ZohranMamdani #Mamdani #NYC #NewYorkCity #NYPDNews #NYCPolitics #Police #LawEnforcement #TheFinestUnfiltered Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    “Defund The Police" Mamdani wants Overseas NYPD Protection for his Wife

  7. Aug 12

    Who’s Liable Now : Fauci or The NYPD ?

    Dr. Anthony Fauci’s COVID-era guidance didn’t just shape national public-health policy — it influenced decisions that had enormous consequences for members of the NYPD. On this episode of The Finest Unfiltered, we examine the newly released Fauci communications and revisit what happened inside the NYPD during the vaccine-mandate era. Officers who questioned the mandate faced enormous pressure. Some lost careers, some lost much more. We discuss how the mandate affected officers health, their morale, overall retention retention, labor relations, religious accommodations, medical decisions, and trust in NYPD leadership. Then comes the bigger question: What happens legally if government agencies relied on public-health guidance while disregarding existing law, collective-bargaining agreements, departmental procedures, and employees’ constitutional and statutory rights? We break down: • Fauci’s newly released text messages and what they reveal about the COVID-era decision-making process • His presidential pardon and what it does — and does not — mean legally • His invocation of the Fifth Amendment in congressional questioning and the significance of that decision • How NYPD leadership implemented vaccine requirements • Officers who were terminated, forced out, disciplined, denied opportunities, or ultimately chose retirement • The damage to morale and the departure of experienced officers • Religious and medical accommodation battles • Whether NYPD policies and labor agreements were properly followed • Whether subsequent revelations could matter in existing or future litigation • And the ultimate question: Who is accountable when officers suffer the consequences of policies built around guidance that is later subjected to serious scrutiny? The pandemic may be over, but for many NYPD officers and their families, the consequences are not. The Finest Unfiltered asks questions others won’t. KALSHI Download the Kalshi app and use code FINEST to get $10 when you trade $10. Kalshi: kalshi.com/r/FINEST Subscribe and join The Finest Unfiltered for unfiltered discussion on the NYPD, policing, NYC politics and the stories impacting cops and New Yorkers. #NYPD #Fauci #AnthonyFauci #COVIDMandates #VaccineMandate #NYPDNews #NYC #Police #PoliceNews #FirstResponders #COVID19 #TheFinestUnfiltered Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Who’s Liable Now : Fauci or The NYPD ?

  8. Aug 10

    Is Mike Lipetri Mamdani’s Next NYPD Police Commissioner? What Happens After Jessica Tisch?

    Is NYPD Chief of Department Mike Lipetri being positioned to become Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s next Police Commissioner? On this episode of The Finest Unfiltered, we break down why we believe Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch will eventually step down, what could trigger her departure, and whether Chief of Department Mike Lipetri is being positioned to become Mamdani’s next NYPD Police Commissioner. We’ll examine Lipetri’s rise through NYPD leadership, the politics surrounding the Commissioner’s office, and what a Lipetri-led NYPD could look like under the Mamdani administration. Also on today’s show: AI answering 911 calls in New Orleans — is this where emergency response is headed? NYPD blocker vehicles targeted by the left why the vehicles used to protect parades and major events are suddenly under fire. The latest NYPD, NYC politics & public-safety news Plus much more. KALSHI Download the Kalshi app and use code FINEST to get $10 when you trade $10. Kalshi: kalshi.com/r/FINEST Subscribe and join The Finest Unfiltered for unfiltered discussion on the NYPD, policing, NYC politics and the stories impacting cops and New Yorkers. #NYPD #MikeLipetri #ZohranMamdani #JessicaTisch #PoliceCommissioner #NYC #LawEnforcement #PublicSafety #TheFinestUnfiltered Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Is Mike Lipetri Mamdani’s Next NYPD Police Commissioner? What Happens After Jessica Tisch?
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4.7
out of 5
134 Ratings

About

A podcast that explores the “Greatest Show on Earth” everyday life & politics of NYC and the NYPD. Explore the life & careers of our guests. Hear real unfiltered views & opinions from those who at one time policed the streets of NYC. Hear True Crime Stories like you never heard them before! THE FINEST UNFILTERED PODCAST

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