California Police Chief- Fall 2013 CPCA_2019_Spring Magazine- FINAL | Page 27

In the Central Valley city of Modesto, California there
is a small group of officers that work a different beat. To
prepare for this beat these men check their headsets and
microphones. Once a week these officers work a beat that
has no borders or boundaries, this beat is only limited by
the ability of a radio wave sending a signal out for all to
hear. Their goal is to share law enforcement with their
community and help those within the sound of their voice
understand what it is like to be behind the badge.
For the past six years the Modesto Police Department
has been using an innovative way to reach their
community. Their weekly radio show, Behind the Badge
has been on the air since 2012. The idea behind the show is
not simply community policing. It is much more than that.
It gives the listener a rare opportunity to hear from local
law enforcement on important topics about the community
and public safety. It truly takes listeners “On the front lines
and behind the scenes” of Law Enforcement.
The Behind the Badge radio show reaches listeners
regionally in the Central Valley, but is available across the
globe through iHeart Media.
Departments across the US have the opportunity to
tell people their story through social media, their PIO
office, or even local media. The difference with Behind the
Badge is the hosts are able to personalize all aspects of law
enforcement and public safety. Each week the show covers
regional law enforcement topics, but the topics can really
be dissected and humanized. It is not just about providing
safety tips to the listeners, it is about debriefing a mass
shooting, or talking about how the death of an officer is
affecting the agency.
The hosts of the show don’t just talk, they also listen.
Each week listeners are able to connect to the live show
by texting in questions, or asking live on the air questions
as well. While most listeners are supportive of law
enforcement, some question what we do and that gives the
show an opportunity to respond with factual information.
Behind the Badge is not just static to the studio either.
They have recorded their show out in the community
and events such as the Stanislaus County Peace Officer
Memorial Run, or a Safety Fair in Stockton. This gives the
listeners an opportunity to see the hosts in action, but also
learn more about events going on within the community.
The show focuses on being A-Political, while also not
holding back on what is important. Recently the show
hosted a Sheriff’s candidate forum for the Stanislaus
County Sheriff’s race. It was not a debate, but an
opportunity for each candidate to be asked what their
stance was on certain issues. The goal was to educate the
public, and helped them to make an informed decision
when it came time to vote.
The show spends time also focuses on the challenges
facing law enforcement. Behind the Badge was able to host
an interview CPCA President Chief Ron Lawrence to talk
about upcoming crucial legislation that could affect law
enforcement. This was another opportunity for listeners
to be educated on the things affecting them and their local
law enforcement in California.
Behind the Badge can be heard in the Central Valley every Saturday at 11am on KFIV 1360am and
everywhere else on iHeart Radio. @BehindtheBadgeRadio  ■
SPRING 2019 | California Police Chief
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