Running Code

We reach a big milestone – the Running Code podcast airs its 50th episode. To commemorate this achievement, we had to bring on a special guest, and Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones was kind enough to join us.In this far-ranging discussion, Mayor Jones talks about his military service and its influence on his current role, the importance of public safety in city policy, the future of Newport News, and much more. Also – stick around to the end to learn Mayor Jones’ secret talent.

School Resource Officer Keeyson Hughes is the guest on this week’s Running Code podcast. Officer Hughes has the distinction of not only serving the city of Newport News, but also serving his country as a reservist in the U.S. Army. After recently returning from deployment, he has resumed his role of working in the city’s schools.

Lt. Michael Sinclair’s career with NNPD has been a diverse one, not unlike many officers in the city. From stints in patrol and investigations, to heading up the NNPD Training Academy, Crisis Negotiations Team, to now overseeing the department’s Real Time Crime Center, Lt. Sinclair has had his hands in many fascinating areas of policing. In the latest Running Code podcast, Lt. Sinclair talks about these roles, his journey to becoming a policeman, and his role as a swimming coach, among other topics.

Now in his 20th year with the department, Sgt. J.J. Thompson has held key roles in patrol and investigative units. He currently is a Sergeant over the Aggravated Assault Unit.In this episode, Sgt. Thompson talks about his route to joining NNPD, his favorite assignments, managing the stresses of the job, his family, and more.

When Adrienne Walker was working her job at a fitness center years ago, she held the belief that there weren’t many women in law enforcement. When she started encountering female deputies at the job, her perception started to change, and set the stage for her to find her calling.Now, approximately 20 years into her career in law enforcement, Walker is a sergeant in NNPD’s Community and Youth Outreach Division. Sgt. Walker is the guest on the latest edition of the Running Code podcast. She talks about her career journey and interests among other topics. She talks about her career journey and interests among other topics.

Det. Sophat Nou wears many hats – from solving property crimes in North Precinct, to his work with NNPD’s Drone Unit, to educating the public on avoiding financial scams, Det. Nou has served the city with distinction for 19 years. Away from the office, he stays similarly busy – dedicated husband and father, ordained minister, avid cyclist and amateur guitarist. In the latest edition of the Running Code podcast, Det. Nou talks about all these tasks and more, including his unique path to law enforcement.

Sergeant Brett Cline has served with NNPD for 15 years following a lengthy stint in the U.S. Navy. Sgt. Cline talks about growing up in a family with six siblings, his time as a scholarship swimmer and love of surfing, and much more in this episode.

Episode 43 of Running Code features recent academy graduate Kelly Hernandez. Following a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy and several years as a 911 dispatcher, Hernandez took a leap of faith and joined NNPD last year. In this podcast, she discusses the transition from military to civilian life, what led her to become an officer, and her challenges in NNPD’s training academy.

Episode 42 of Running Code features Detective Maria Toch. A Northern Virginia native who majored in psychology at CNU, Det. Toch originally envisioned herself working in social work or private practice in the mental health field, but found the perfect combination of all of her interests at NNPD. She discusses her career path, her love of teaching, her many roles at NNPD and much more in this episode.

Lieutenant Thomas Peregrine didn’t have police work on his radar, but a visit by a former NNPD detective to Peregrine’s family-run nail salon started to set in motion a change of careers for the Hampton native.In this episode of Running Code, Lt. Peregrine talks about his unconventional career path, the camaraderie he’s formed at NNPD, and much more.▶ Click here to view the latest Running Code: https://youtu.be/rdgCUqte5i4💡 Remember to subscribe to youtube.com/NNPDMedia to see all our previous episodes and other video content from NNPD.🎧 All podcasts are also available in audio format wherever you get your podcasts: https://media.rss.com/runningcode/feed.xml.

NNPD Detective Kylee McDonough is the featured guest on Episode 40 of Running Code. In this podcast, she discusses her quick rise from patrol to investigations, her Newport News roots, and her love of travel.

NNPD Special Victims Unit supervisor Sgt. Steven Stepp is the next featured guest on our podcast, Running Code. Sgt. Stepp, who grew up in Newport News, always had a service-minded career in mind, and has thrived in several fast-paced roles at NNPD – including High Impact Patrol, Tactical Operations Unit and investigator prior to his current assigned in SVU. He talks about his journey thus far, his hobbies, and his advice for prospective officers in this show.

Officer Muhammad Powell from NNPD’s South Precinct is our next guest on Running Code. Officer Powell had an idea he wanted to be an officer when he was younger and became the only person in his immediate family not to join the military. Since, he has already taken on leadership role within his precinct and looks forward to continuing his family’s legacy of discipline and leadership.

Lieutenant Cornelius Webster, who currently oversees NNPD’s Training Academy, joins us for this edition of the Running Code podcast. This Newport News native talks about growing up in the city, his football playing and coaching background, and what he is doing now to help mold the future officers of NNPD.

Our next guest on Running Code is Captain Randy Cupp, a veteran of more than 20 years with NNPD. The long-time Newport News resident had the unique experience of growing up in the city, graduating from CNU and then getting to patrol and oversee many of the same neighborhoods he grew up in. Now, he oversees NNPD’s Special Investigations Division. He talks about his favorite assignments, his military experience, love for the city and much more in this episode.

Officer Tyson sits down in the hot seat for this edition of Running Code. A Portsmouth native, Officer Tyson is a recent graduate of NNPD’s Training Academy and serves the South Precinct. In this week’s show, she talks about her lifelong dream of becoming a police officer and her future goals.

Episode 34 of Running Code features Lt. Jessica Collins, who has served with NNPD for 23 years. Lt. Collins discusses her previous stint as a 911 dispatcher, some of her favorite assignments, her shenanigans with Lt. Morgan, and more. Also, Capt. Tietjens talks about his recent retirement and future plans.

Central Precinct Officer Valerie Donski, a native of Uzbekistan who also lived in Russia, is our guest in Episode 33 of Running Code. She talks about how she made her way to the U.S., tried many job roles before finding her true calling, all the while being a mom and entrepreneur. We also learn that she has an eclectic taste in music!

Officer Asya Handy was set to follow in her father’s footsteps and join the military. When she decided against that, it seemed serving as a law enforcement contractor and firearms instructor in her home town of Philadelphia was her path. But wanting something more, Officer Handy took a leap of faith and followed a friend down to Virginia and applied to join NNPD. Now thriving as a South Precinct patrol officer, she hasn’t looked back. Hear more about this Philly transplant’s story, plus more NFL trash talk and dog vs. cat banter, on this episode of Running Code!

Det. Alonza Sutton is always on the go, but this new detective in South Precinct stopped by long enough to join us for Episode 31 of Running Code. Det. Sutton talks about laterally transferring to NNPD one year ago, working on his doctorate, his role in the military, and his time with NNPD so far.

Master Police Officer Jeff Ferree wears many hats at NNPD – from patrolling midnight shift, to serving as a field training officer, to his work on the NNPD Marine Unit. He also spends much of his time mentoring youth in the city. The eight-year veteran of NNPD talks about all this and more in the 30th edition of our Running Code podcast.

Episode 29 of Running Code features South Precinct Patrol Officer Samantha Stamp. Officer Stamp discusses how being an officer was always her life-long dream, her prior stint in the Air Force, her love of training horses, and much more.

K9 Officer Nicholas Kelly is featured on the 28th edition of Running Code. Officer Kelly is the son of a former NNPD Assistant Chief who was also a K9 officer. In this show, Officer Kelly talks about his new four-legged partner, what it was like growing up the son of an NNPD officer and how it shaped his career goals.

Captain Terrence Dunbar has done a bit of it all in his lengthy professional career. From seeing the world, including jumping out of an aircraft as crew chief of the Golden Knights, to appearing on an episode of COPS with NNPD, this 20-year veteran of the Department has had a decorated career. He talks about these topics and much more in this edition of Running Code.

Valerie Atkinson, Public Safety Communications Supervisor from the Newport News Emergency Communications Center, is our guest on this episode of Running Code. A 25-year veteran of the 911 center, Atkinson discusses what led her to become a dispatcher, her most memorable call for service, why she enjoys training new dispatchers, what she still enjoys about her job and what it’s like being married to a police officer.

Chief Steve Drew is the guest for Episode 25 of Running Code. In his far-reaching conversation, Chief talks about his life growing up in Ohio, how his 30+ year career in law enforcement, his vision for NNPD and more. And he may make mention of his love of Ohio sports teams once or twice!

Captain Wayne Spencer is our guest for episode 24 of Running Code. Capt. Spencer is a 28-year veteran of NNPD, having served in a variety of roles with the department. In this show, he talks about his family’s history in law enforcement, his work in some key investigative roles with NNPD, his baseball background and police softball career, and much, much more.

Assistant Chief Eric Hires joins us for Episode 23 of the Running Code podcast. Chief Hires talks about his upbringing as a preacher’s kid in rural Georgia, his career in the military and transition to NNPD, leadership and learning, and much more in this latest show.

In this episode of Running Code, we meet Sgt. Andrew Lou from NNPD’s North Precinct and Tactical Operations Unit. In this wide-ranging conversation, Sgt. Lou talks about his Chinese heritage, his unexpected start to his law enforcement career, his love of fitness, canines and cosplay, and more.

Lt. Thomas Spence is the featured guest in this episode of Running Code. In this show, he talks about how he had never planned to become a cop until a memorable ride-along one night changed his whole outlook. He also talks about his experience in the training academy, his division’s important work in the city, his passion for law enforcement, and much more.

Detective Anne O'Neill is our guest in the 20th installment of Running Code. Now a detective in NNPD's Aggravated Assault Unit, Detective O'Neill talks about how she joined NNPD, her new assignment, her role as an instructor in NNPD's Training Academy, and her love of fine dining.

Officer Tiffany Williams is our guest in this episode of Running Code! Officer Williams has served with NNPD for approximately 2 years. She became interested in law enforcement after tragedy struck her family when she was young. Her dream of becoming an officer was delayed, but not denied. In this show, she talks about her unconventional career path, her desire to help people, her career goals, being a military spouse and much more.

Sgt. Michael Goss is featured in this episode of Running Code. The supervisor of NNPD's high school SRO unit, Sgt. Goss talks about NNPD's relationship with youth, his career path, his love for dad jokes and his work with the NNPD Honor Guard.

Forensic Specialist Kelly Wells is our guest in this episode of Running Code. Wells talks about her 20+ years with NNPD, starting off as a records technician before transitioning to the Forensic Services Unit. In this show, she discusses what it takes to be a good crime scene investigator, her somewhat unconventional route to get to where she is, and how she deals with the stress of the job.

Lt. Kevin Rogers is the guest in the latest episode of Running Code. After seven years in the Air Force, this New York native found a home in Hampton Roads and joined the NNPD in 1997. He has served in numerous units throughout the department, and now serves as the lieutenant over the Internal Affairs Division. In that role, he serves as a mentor and coach to NNPD officers, while also making sure the department’s policies are followed and standards are upheld.In this episode, Lt. Rogers talks about his time in the Air Force, serving as a father figure to younger officers, some of his favorite past assignments in the department and more.

Episode 15 features North Precinct Patrol Officer Donte Hobbs. He has served with NNPD for just over two years and feels that law enforcement, and helping youth, is his calling. He didn’t always know that to be true – Officer Hobbs has overcome a number of hurdles in his life to get where he is today, which he discusses in this show. He also talks about his self-help book, How Badly Do You Want It?, his ministry at Liberty Live, and much more.

MPO Aaron Watkins has served with NNPD for more than 13 years. He is currently assigned to the Recruiting Division, but previously worked in patrol, as a business relations officer, and an SRO. In this episode, he talks about his past assignments, his focus on community policing, and mentoring the youth of today.

Episode 13 features Misty Mercer, who has more than 40 years of experience with NNPD. From working patrol in the 1980s, to a distinguished career as a detective, investigator Mercer came out of retirement to serve as a part-time investigator with NNPD’s newly-formed Cold Case Unit, which works to solve older homicide cases.

Episode 12 of Running Code features J.P. Smith. A 24-year veteran of NNPD, Capt. Smith currently oversees the Support Services Division, which includes the records division, training, recruiting and property and evidence units. Capt. Smith also talks about his recently published book and his work on NNPD's CISM Team.

MPO Skip Blanchard is our guest in Episode 11. The self-proclaimed oldest officer on NNPD, Blanchard got his start in policing in 1983 and currently services as the SRO at Warwick High. In this show, he talks about building relationships with people, mentoring younger officers, and much more.

In this episode, Lt. Churchill joins the show. One of our long-time leaders in North Precinct, Lt. Churchill is also the Commander and an 18-year member of the Tactical Operations Unit, a family man and a key voice in the area of officer health and wellness.

In this episode, Sgt. Jeffery Hollandsworth joins the show. He discusses his 21-year career with NNPD, which has included stints in South Precinct, notable assignments with the Tactical Operations Unit (SWAT Team), and now as one of the leaders of the NNPD Training Academy.

In this episode of Running Code, Det. Tesfaya Campbell from the Major Crimes Division is our guest. Det. Campbell talks about his career in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning to the NNPD, the importance of mental health and family, and making the most of second chances. Also, lots of pop culture references.

In this episode of Running Code, we feature Officer Wilfredo Reyes from NNPD's South Precinct. Officer Reyes, a five-year veteran of the department, talks about his New York roots, what drew him to law enforcement, the Hispanic/Latino community in Newport News, and the importance of family.

Our latest installment of Running Code features a homegrown product of Newport News, Assistant Chief Brandon Creswell. The Newport News native has served with NNPD for more than 20 years, working numerous and varied assignments before rising through the ranks to Assistant Chief in 2020. Among other topics, Chief Creswell talks about his family’s history in Newport News, some of his most enjoyable assignments and moments as an officer, and what leadership means to him. And yes: he, too, has a funny Capt. Tietjens story.

In the next installment of Running Code, our hosts have a chat with Sgt. Kevin Mallette. Sgt. Mallette was formerly in the U.S. Marine Reserves before starting what is now a 17-plus-year career with NNPD. He currently serves in the Recruiting Division. He shares about his career journey here. Sgt. Mallette even shares a funny story about a call for service he had with Capt. Tietjens, while the captain shares why he didn't like to show up to the same call as Mallette.

In our next episode of the Running Code podcast, we feature Sgt. James and Aaron Huling. They are the first father and son to serve NNPD as sergeants at the same time. In this episode, Aaron talks about his decision to become a fifth-generation Huling in law enforcement. Among other topics, they also discuss their experience working with another and their family dynamics.

In our third episode, we talk to Captain Alison Funaiock about her journey into law enforcement. From an uncertain beginning due to a health concern, to a steady ascent through the ranks, Capt. Funaiock has been a trailblazer in more ways than one.