Talk'n the Beat - TopPodcast.com

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Meet Officer Jillian Booker Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, the tables are turned on the show’s new co-host as Officer Larry Reynolds and Lt. Jassin Hakim sit down with Officer Jillian Booker, giving listeners a chance to get to know the newest voice of Talk’n the Beat.

As recently retired Lt. David Sarvello once told Booker, “You’ve lived a lot of lives.” Growing up in the Downriver area, Booker went on to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and live in nine different states before eventually finding her way back to Michigan and a career in law enforcement.

Through her story, Booker shares a commitment to service that has remained a constant throughout those different chapters of her life, along with the high standards she sets for herself and the experiences that have shaped the officer and person she is today.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Orange Justice with Scott Baker Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

On this edition of Talk’n the Beat, Officers Larry Reynolds and Jillian Booker conduct the show’s first phone interview as they welcome former NYPD officer, comedian, writer, producer and actor Scott Baker.

Baker shares the experiences that helped shape his life, including tragedy in his family’s past, his years in law enforcement and a lifelong connection to comedy. He discusses learning that “you can’t laugh and cry at the same time” and how humor can help officers process some of the difficult things they encounter on the job. He also explores how listening, communicating and connecting with people can lead to better outcomes in policing.

The conversation also explores the connection between Baker’s experiences in policing and comedy, including his unscripted cop comedy series Midtown and his new film, Orange Justice, which he co-wrote, produced and stars in alongside longtime comedy partner Tom Malloy.

For more from Scott Baker, visit LaughFast.com

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Episode 36: Recovery, Resilience & Second Chances Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

On this edition of Talk’n the Beat, Officer Larry Reynolds welcomes guest host Officer Jillian Booker as they sit down with certified peer recovery coach Holly Kotchman to discuss treatment and recovery through the Michigan Department of Corrections’ Recovery, Advocacy, and Program Supports (RAPS).

Holly shares her personal journey through addiction, recovery, and rebuilding her life after losing custody of her children. Today, she uses her lived experience to help others through the RAPS program, providing support and guidance to individuals working toward sobriety and long-term recovery.

This episode also includes a time-sensitive discussion regarding the upcoming RISE Recovery Expo. Event details were current at the time of recording. For more information, Holly can be contacted at kotchmanh@michigan.gov.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Episode 35: Detours - Off Script with Jack Kesy Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

In this special episode of Talk’n the Beat, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds sit down with actor Jack Kesy for a conversation that steps outside the usual police topics while still finding some surprising common ground.

Kesy, known for roles in Deadpool 2 and Hellboy: The Crooked Man, opens up in a candid and personal conversation about his path into acting. He talks about feeling lost as a young man and how discovering acting gave him something that finally felt right. With an upcoming project tied to law enforcement, they also touch on what it takes to portray a police character in a way that feels real.

Away from the screen, Kesy talks about his love for the outdoors, especially salmon fishing, and shares that he tends to keep to himself, offering a quieter contrast to the roles he plays.

As always, Coates and Reynolds keep things relaxed, share a few laughs and give Kesy space to be real.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Episode 34: 30 Years Behind the Badge Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, Officer Larry Reynolds and Sgt. Jassin Hakim sit down with Lt. David Sarvello to talk about a life in law enforcement. Sgt. Hakim, who has previously appeared on the show as a guest, steps in to co-host for this episode alongside Officer Reynolds.

As Lt. Sarvello approaches the end of his career, he offers a unique perspective on policing from the other side of the journey. After being sponsored through the police academy by the Sterling Heights Police Department, he joined the city in 1996 and has served the community for nearly three decades.

In this conversation, Lt. Sarvello reflects on the experiences, lessons, and relationships that shaped his career. Widely respected within the department as a mentor, coach, and leader, he shares insight gained from a lifetime behind the badge while preparing to pass the torch to the next generation of officers.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Episode 33: SHPD is Hiring Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

In this special edition of Talk’n the Beat, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds sit down with Lt. Dave Allen to discuss the Sterling Heights Police Department’s active recruitment campaign. SHPD is seeking to hire 12 new police officers and encourages qualified candidates to apply.

To connect directly with potential applicants, the department will host two Recruitment Nights on March 26 and April 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. Officers from across the department will be available to answer questions, explain the hiring process, and highlight opportunities in specialized units such as SRT, Traffic, and the Detective Bureau. A virtual option will also be available for those who cannot attend in person.

Applications are open March 3 through May 2, 2026. Candidates must pass the EMPCO exam with a score of at least 80% prior to submitting an application through the City of Sterling Heights website. Applicants who meet the requirements will advance in the selection process, with 12 candidates ultimately selected to join the department.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Episode 32: Crisis Intervention Team Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds sit down with Lieutenant Craig Cole to discuss the Sterling Heights Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team, also known as CIT.

CIT programs are designed to improve how law enforcement responds to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers complete a specialized 40 hour Crisis Intervention Team training course focused on de-escalation, recognizing signs of mental illness, and connecting individuals to treatment and community resources rather than defaulting to arrest. Lieutenant Cole explains how this approach helps calm situations, reduce risk for everyone involved, and create better outcomes for families.

The department is also participating in a special needs registry that allows families to share important information in advance, helping officers respond more safely and appropriately when called to a home.

This episode highlights how training, collaboration, and preparation are shaping a more thoughtful response to mental health emergencies in Sterling Heights.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Episode 31: Detours - Jared Bobkin from Hell’s Kitchen Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Once in a while, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds take a detour from the usual police discussions to talk with interesting people from around the community and in this episode, that detour happens to be delicious. Because after a shift, you don’t need a citation. You need a meal!

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, the guys sit down with Chef Jared Bobkin, a two time Hell’s Kitchen contestant who appeared on Season 15 and later returned for Season 17 All Stars. Jared shares what it was really like behind the scenes, what the experience taught him, and how it shaped the way he approaches the kitchen when the heat is on.

They also talk about how he fell in love with cooking in the first place, and what he is juggling now, from guest chef work and local projects to launching his own food truck, The Dump Truck, where he specializes in Asian style dumplings.

The guys brought their appetite to this one, and if you are up for an off course episode with plenty of laughs and a little kitchen chaos, we think you are going to eat this one up.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Episode 30: Financial Crimes with the FBI Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, Sgt. Kevin Coates and Officer Larry Reynolds are joined by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Bryan Drake for an eye opening conversation about the growing world of financial crimes and how everyday people can protect themselves.

Bryan Drake has spent more than two decades with the FBI, beginning his career with the Special Surveillance Group in 2000 and working cases involving international and domestic terrorism, health care fraud, and complex financial crimes. In this episode, he brings that experience to bear on the scams affecting local communities right now.

The discussion covers common schemes such as grandparent scams, romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, identity theft, and the increasingly sophisticated pig butchering scams that target victims over long periods of time. The group also talks about how criminals are now using artificial intelligence to replicate the voices and images of loved ones, making scams harder to recognize and more emotionally manipulative.

Throughout the conversation, SSA Drake emphasizes that these crimes can impact anyone, regardless of age, background, or experience, and that shame should never prevent someone from asking for help. Listeners are encouraged to report suspected scams or ongoing fraud to the FBI through ic3.gov, which helps investigators track trends and prevent others from becoming victims.

This episode offers a practical and timely look at modern financial crime and the simple steps people can take to protect themselves and their families.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

Episode 29: Changing the Response to Addiction Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Talk’n the Beat, Officer Larry Reynolds and Sgt. Kevin Coates sit down with Linda Davis, Executive Director of Face Addiction Now (FAN), to talk about how policing in Sterling Heights has changed over the past decade through a more compassionate response to addiction.

Linda shares her personal and professional journey, reflecting on her time as a prosecutor and judge when she believed incarceration was the right response to crimes tied to addiction. As her understanding of addiction evolved from a moral failing to a disease that needs treatment, and as addiction touched her own family, her focus shifted toward prevention, recovery, and meaningful support.

The conversation explores how Sterling Heights Police Department partnerships with programs like Hope Not Handcuffs, the Comeback Quick Response Team, and Redirect have helped move the community away from arrest first responses and toward approaches proven to reduce suffering and save lives. Together, these efforts show how law enforcement, recovery organizations, and the courts can work side by side to address addiction in a way that strengthens the entire community.

If you are struggling with addiction and are ready to ask for help, Face Addiction Now can connect you with treatment and recovery resources. You can visit faceaddictionnow.org, or simply walk into the Sterling Heights Police Department and ask for help through the Hope Not Handcuffs program.

Send Your Questions to Officer Reynolds and Officer Booker!
Email us at ttb@sterlingheights.gov and your question may be used in an upcoming podcast episode.

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