SWAT: Behind the Scenes with OCSO's Elite
Behind the Star
In this episode, we sit down with Sergeant Ryan Donovan and Master Deputy Jovi Santos from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team. They share insights into the purpose and history of SWAT, what their day-to-day job entails, and the camaraderie that makes the unit so unique. We also dive into the selection process, common misconceptions about SWAT, and an inside look at the annual SWAT Round-Up International competition. (0:00): Meeting Sgt. Donovan and MD Santos (2:15): Process for joining SWAT (4:00): How has SWAT changed over the years? (5:08): Explaining the origin of SWAT (6:36):...
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Inside the 911 Call Center
Behind the Star
In this episode of Behind the Star, Garbrielle Griffith, an Emergency Communications Specialist, and Nikayla Phillip , a 911 Supervisor, share their experiences from the front lines of emergency response. They recount some of the most impactful calls they've handled, offering a glimpse into the intense and often unpredictable nature of their work. Garbrielle and Nikayla discuss what it takes to thrive in this demanding role, the kind of person best suited for the job and the preparation required to handle the constant unknowns. They also explore how many use this position as a stepping...
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Victim Advocates: Compassionate Heroes in Crisis Situations
Behind the Star
In this episode of Behind the Star, Koreen Baker and Delaney Saunders from the Victim Advocates Unit discuss the critical support they provide to victims of crime and crisis, the types of calls they respond to, and how they prepare themselves mentally and emotionally for their challenging roles. Koreen and Delaney explain the importance of working closely with deputies and detectives, the resources available to victims, and the essential qualities and training required for their work. They also delve into the structure of the Victim Advocates unit and how their approach compares to other...
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Closing a loophole in Risk Protection Orders
Behind the Star
In the concluding episode of our series on legislative reforms, we address a loophole in Risk Protection Orders (RPOs)—the lack of penalties for providing firearms to individuals under an RPO. Sheriff John Mina proposes making it a felony to knowingly give a gun to someone under an RPO. Cristal Maisonet, assistant general counsel at OCSO, joins us to discuss the impact of this change and how it would strengthen protections against gun violence. (1:25) What is a Risk Protection Order (RPO)? (2:10) How are RPO's implemented in Florida? (7:50) Have RPO's been effective so far? (10:10)...
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Stiffening penalties for child luring crimes
Behind the Star
In the third episode of our four-part series on Sheriff Mina's legislative priorities, we explore the mission to strengthen protections for our children with Lt. Chip Denmark. We discuss the current law in Florida, where luring or enticing a child under 12 into a secluded space is shockingly only a misdemeanor. Highlighting the need for change, Sheriff Mina proposes making this act a felony. (0:54) Explaining the current Florida law (1:53) Past examples of this law being applied (2:53) Electronic luring of a child is already a felony (3:41) Challenges for law enforement when it is only a...
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The fight against reckless driving and street racing
Behind the Star
In the second episode of our four-part series, we delve into Sheriff John Mina's legislative push against the dangers of street racing, reckless driving and intersection takeovers with Lt. Mike Crabbe. Highlighting the growing menace these activities pose to public safety, the discussion covers proposed legal reforms aimed at escalating penalties, including turning second offenses into felonies and increasing fines for spectators, to deter such hazardous behavior and ensure safer streets for the community. (1:45): A brief history of OCSO's efforts to combat the problem (2:50): All of these...
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Confronting the chaos of after hours clubs
Behind the Star
We dive into Sheriff John Mina's legislative initiative aimed at transforming the safety landscape of after hours clubs. Featuring guest Lt. Joseph Bellizio, the episode explores the critical need to elevate illegal alcohol sales to a felony as part of a broader effort to ensure community safety. (1:13): Strike team established in November to go after after hours clubs (4:20): What dangerous activities happen at these clubs (5:03): Biggest challenges in dealing with these clubs (6:30): What these clubs look like (7:18): Understanding the Sheriff's legislative proposal to combat these...
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"Zombie drug" Xylazine: A new threat in the battle against drug deaths
Behind the Star
Orange County Sheriff's Office Captain Darryl Blanford and a narcotics agent, whose identity remains undisclosed due to the sensitive nature of his work, talk about the enigmatic realm of Xylazine, a drug commonly known as "Tranq" or the "Zombie Drug." (1:39): An overview of Xylazine (5:01): Will Xylazine replace Fentanyl? (8:12): Xylazine can cause rotting of flesh in users (9:10): Because Xylazine is not an opioid, Naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects (14:09): Fake pills are another major concern (18:55): Penalties for trafficking (21:26): Misconceptions about users (26:58): Ways...
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The Marine Unit preps for Memorial Day weekend on the waterways
Behind the Star
Master Deputy Nick Mahon and Deputy Doug Kimberlin talk about why the Orange County Sheriff's Office has a Marine Unit, break down some of the unique parts of the job and explain some of the challenges of working on the water during summer holiday weekends like Memorial Day.
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Scent kits - What are they and how do they work?
Behind the Star
For people diagnosed with a memory disorder or family members caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease, the dangers of wandering and getting lost are a major concern. The Orange County Sheriff's Office offers free Scent Preservation Kits to pre-collect and preserve a person’s unique scent ahead of time giving responding K-9 Units a head start during a search with an uncontaminated scent article. In this episode, Corporal Kyle Ramsey and Deputy Angie Keller talk about how the scent kits work and their usefulness in finding a missing person. To pick up a free Scent...
info_outlineIn this episode, we sit down with Sergeant Ryan Donovan and Master Deputy Jovi Santos from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team. They share insights into the purpose and history of SWAT, what their day-to-day job entails, and the camaraderie that makes the unit so unique. We also dive into the selection process, common misconceptions about SWAT, and an inside look at the annual SWAT Round-Up International competition.
- (0:00): Meeting Sgt. Donovan and MD Santos
- (2:15): Process for joining SWAT
- (4:00): How has SWAT changed over the years?
- (5:08): Explaining the origin of SWAT
- (6:36): How often is SWAT called on?
- (7:10): How big is our team?
- (7:33): What's it like when you first join?
- (9:22): Challenges and stresses of the job
- (10:10): Why is the job appealing?
- (12:36): What is a typical day like?
- (14:05): Sgt. Donovan shares some unfortunate stories
- (15:19): What is the most common call SWAT goes on?
- (15:48): What most commonly goes wrong?
- (16:36): Training is most of the job
- (17:50): Explaining the selection process
- (21:23): Camaraderie is important to the team
- (22:56): SWAT Round-up International
- (34:43): Mike Milmerstadt's legacy at the agency
- (35:38): How SWAT recruits
- (38:36): Common misconceptions about SWAT