Behind the Star
76 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 42 ratingsBehind the Star is the official podcast of the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the largest law enforcement agency in Central Florida. From forensics to dispatch to the deputies on patrol, we share stories and talk to the brave men and women of law enforcement.
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Episodes
A Q&A with Sheriff John Mina
February 20, 2020 20:49 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBOrange County Sheriff John Mina sits down with Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker to answer submitted questions from civilians and law enforcement officers of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The Gurus of Guns - OCSO Forensics Firearms Section
February 12, 2020 16:00 - 35 minutes - 48.5 MBThe Orange County Sheriff's Office Forensics Firearms Section is made up of specialists who test and review more than 1,000 guns each year. Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker talks to Firearms Specialists Amanda Vibert and Mila Tran about the role of the firearms section, how they test-fire hundreds of guns and what happens to "crime guns".
Who let the dogs out? - OCSO K-9 Unit
February 07, 2020 21:12 - 34 minutes - 48 MBThe Orange County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit is made up of 20 dogs and handlers. The specialized unit assists patrol deputies in apprehensions, tracking and more. Master Deputy and K-9 Handler Jeff Stinson talks to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about the role of the dogs, how the dogs are trained and how they help OCSO deputies.
How OCSO Protects its Largest Sector
January 28, 2020 19:57 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MBSector 2 encompasses all of East Orange County for a total of 408 square miles, making it the largest sector patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Sector 2 Captain Susan Wallis talks to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about the challenges of patrolling a place with more than 400,000 permanent residents.
OCSO SWAT - Responding to the Most Dangerous Assignments
January 15, 2020 14:35 - 39 minutes - 54.3 MBThe Orange County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team draws some of the most dangerous assignments. The elite team is trained in the use of advanced tactics and specialized weapons and equipment. Captain Todd Payne and Lieutenant Dennis Ela talk to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about OCSO SWAT.
SWAT OCSO - Responding to the Most Dangerous Assignements
January 14, 2020 21:42 - 39 minutes - 54.3 MBThe Orange County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team draw some of the most dangerous assignments. The elite team, made up of 42 deputies, are trained in the use of advanced tactics and specialized weapons and equipment. Captain Todd Payne and Lieutenant Dennis Ela talk to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about OCSO SWAT.
Professional Standards Section - Internal Affairs at OCSO
January 10, 2020 15:39 - 36 minutes - 50.7 MBThe Orange County Sheriff's Office Professional Standards Section is, in essence, one of its quality control centers. Allegations of inappropriate behavior, misconduct or failure to follow agency rules and policies are typically investigated by Professional Standards. Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker talks to Captain Carlos Espinoza of the Professional Standards Section.
What's in your background?
December 13, 2019 20:21 - 37 minutes - 51.5 MBBefore any deputy or civilian begins working at the Orange County Sheriff's Office, they must go through an extensive background investigation. That process, which can take up to 5 months, includes a background check, credit check, voice stress analysis test and several rounds of interviews. Sworn staff recruiter Jeff Tramonte and Recruiting and Background Section Supervisor Jon Nichols talk to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about the OCSO application process, which includes background ch...
Sex Crimes Unit
December 05, 2019 20:17 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MBThe Sex Crimes Unit at the Orange County Sheriff's Office handles some of the region's most heinous crimes, including child sex crimes, sexual battery and child pornography. Detective Corporal Nikki Harper talks to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about how the unit handles cases and what it's doing to combat sex crimes in the Orange County. (Some material in this episode may not be suitable for all ages.)
For the Sheriff's Office - Legal Services at OCSO
November 15, 2019 13:14 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MBThe Legal Services Section at the Orange County Sheriff's Office serves as in-house counsel to the agency's 2,400 employees. General Counsel Austin Moore talks to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about the legal staff and its role at the Sheriff's Office, from forfeiture cases to labor issues to when the agency decides to pursue a lawsuit.
Up, Up and Away with the Aviation Section
November 01, 2019 13:26 - 36 minutes - 49.6 MBLook up and you may see an Orange County Sheriff's Office helicopter. The Aviation Section patrols the skies above Orange County. Master Deputy Jason Sams, a Tactical Flight Officer, talks to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about catching bad guys from above, why lasers are dangerous for helicopter pilots and how the Aviation Section can save lives.
How OCSO Combats Domestic Violence
October 23, 2019 15:48 - 35 minutes - 49.1 MBOctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Domestic Violence Unit at the Orange County Sheriff's Office handles more than 5,600 domestic violence reports and 3,300 arrests each year. OCSO Corporal Jessie Bourque and Jessie Motley, Early Victim Engagement Advocate for Harbor House, talk with host Jon Busdeker about how the Sheriff's Office combats domestic violence, the signs of domestic violence and how victims in abusive relationships can get help.
What Happens When You Call 9-1-1
October 09, 2019 17:44 - 36 minutes - 50.3 MBEvery year, the Orange County Sheriff's Office Communications Center receives more than a million phone calls. The center, located in east Orange County, is where more than 200 operators answer both emergency and non-emergency calls. This week, Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker talks with Cynthia Jefferson, a manager and 20-year veteran of the Communications Center. Jefferson talks about what happens when a resident calls 9-1-1, how information is relayed to OCSO deputies and how operators h...
From BBQs to Citizens on Patrol: Inside OCSO Community Relations
October 03, 2019 20:15 - 31 minutes - 49.7 MBThe Community Relations Division at the Orange County Sheriff's Office oversees more than a dozen agency initiatives, including community barbecues, award ceremonies and Citizens on Patrol. Lieutenant Alex Greenberg and Sergeant Menachem Green sat down with Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker to discuss the role of Community Relations and how it's helping build trust in the Orange County community.
Homicide: How and When OCSO releases information
September 25, 2019 18:04 - 40 minutes - 56.2 MBIf there's a homicide in Orange County, several units within the Orange County Sheriff's Office are alerted. Two of those units - Strategic Communications and the Homicide Unit - work closely to release information to the public. How, what and when information is released is vital to any investigation. On this week's Behind the Star, host Jon Busdeker speaks with Captain Carlos Torres of Strategic Communications and Homicide Unit Sgt. Joe Covelli about releasing details of a homicide.
From Football to Fighting Crime: Talking with Undersheriff Mark Canty
September 18, 2019 15:32 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MBWhat is the role of the Undersheriff? Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker talks with Mark Canty, Undersheriff at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. A native of Central Florida and West Orange High School grad, Canty played football at Northwestern University and later worked for the Urban League of Central Florida. He spent 22 years at the Orlando Police Department before joining the Orange County Sheriff's Office in 2019.
The Role of the Chaplain
September 12, 2019 16:33 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MBMaster Deputy Stanley Murray is the Chaplain Coordinator at the Orange County Sheriff's Officer. Murray oversees a team of more than 20 chaplains of various faiths at the agency. Murray sat down with Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker to discuss the role of the chaplain and how chaplains respond to traumatic calls for help.
"Preparing for an Emergency" (Hurricane Dorian edition)
September 04, 2019 13:17 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBAll eyes had been on Hurricane Dorian for nearly a week. A team of men and women at the Orange County Sheriff's Office were prepared for the impacts of the storm. Leading that team is Lt. Bill Bartlett, a veteran of OCSO who is in charge of Emergency Management. Before the storm passed Central Florida, Bartlett sat down with Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker to discuss how OCSO prepares for an emergency.
Keeping the Courthouse Safe
August 28, 2019 18:27 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBSgt. Danielle Batlemento has worked at the Orange County Courthouse for nearly 25 years. She is one of more than 150 men and women who keep the sprawling complex in downtown Orlando safe. Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker talks with Betlemento about the challenges of protecting attorneys, judges, juries and the public and what happens when someone "accidentally" brings drugs or firearms to the courthouse.
CSI - Orange County, Florida
August 21, 2019 12:00 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBThe Crime Scene Investigation Unit at the Orange County Sheriff's Office is on the front line of solving crimes in Orange County. Mikayla.Overholtzer and Missy Roughgarden, both Crime Scene Investigators, sit down with Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker to discuss what life's like working in Forensics. (Warning: This episode may contain information not suitable for all audiences.)
Everything You Wanted to Know about Crossing Guards*
August 14, 2019 16:53 - 31 minutes - 43.6 MBThe new school year for Orange County Public Schools started this week, which means crossing guards are posted at crosswalks around the county. Bertis Negron is the School Guard Coordinator at the Orange County Sheriff's Office and supervises more than 400 employees. Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker talks to Negron how locations for crossing guards are determined, who applies for the job, what training the crossing guards must complete and where the crossing guards get their gear. If you ar...
How to Get Hired at OCSO
August 07, 2019 20:01 - 33 minutes - 45.7 MBThe Orange County Sheriff's Office is always looking to hire deputies and civilians. As an agency that employs nearly 2,500 people, OCSO prides itself with hiring highly qualified candidates of the highest integrity for all positions. But what exactly are we looking for? That's the job of Field Recruiter Sgt. Steve Harrielson. Host Jon Busdeker talks to Harrielson about the requirements for sworn positions, how veterans make great deputies and how you can apply to the Sheriff's Office. Fo...
Lock Up Your Home. Lock Up Your Car.
July 31, 2019 13:04 - 34 minutes - 47.5 MBHas your house ever been broken into? Has anything ever been stolen out of your vehicle? If so, it's Corporal Kelly Deegan's job to work the case. Deegan is part of the Criminal Investigations Division Property Unit, which handles thousands of cases each year. Investigators like Deegan are tasked with investigating residential, commercial and vehicle burglaries, as well as thefts, criminal mischiefs, and dealing in stolen property cases that occur in the county. Deegan spoke with Behind t...
Horsing Around with the Mounted Unit
July 24, 2019 10:30 - 36 minutes - 49.8 MBMaster Deputy Lindsay Whitesell and Deputy First Class Andrew Stephens discuss life in the Mounted Unit at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. About a dozen horses are part of the unit which patrols Orange County, handles crowd control and performs search and rescue. Whitesell and Stephens answer the tough questions, including: "What happens when a horse has to use the bathroom?" This week's episode was recorded on location at OCSO's stables near Walt Disney World. Behind the Star is host...
Protecting Pine Hills - Sector 3 Captain Tony Marlow
July 17, 2019 11:00 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBCaptain Tony Marlow oversees Sector 3, a large portion of Orange County that includes Dr. Phillips, Horizons West and Pine Hills. Marlow, who grew up in North Florida, played basketball at the University of Central Florida before becoming an Orange County Deputy. Marlow talks to Behind the Star host Jon Busdeker about the perception vs. reality of Pine Hills and the challenges of protecting a growing region like West Orange County.
Talking with Orange County Sheriff John Mina
June 26, 2019 18:34 - 23 minutes - 22.2 MBSheriff John Mina talks about his career as a law enforcement officer, from working on the streets of Orlando to overseeing the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Mina was elected Orange County Sheriff in November 2018.