Opt In NYC

As the test deadline of November 3 approaches, Lt. Tiffany Reid from NYPD's Recruitment Section explains the testing and onboarding process at NYPD. For more information, go to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/po-exam.page

Detective Rosemarie Muckenthaler has seen first-hand how the human trafficking industry preys upon young victims—children who are forced into a life of crime. She has spent the majority of her 23-year career as both an undercover and investigator on different vice squads within the NYPD. Today she serves on the NYPD-FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Police Officer Aaron Ayala works in the LGBTQ Outreach Unit within the NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau. As a community liaison, he collaborates with advocacy organizations and assists survivors of bias incidents.

As a photographer and videographer for the Rapid Response Unit within NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau, Police Officer Joseph Ryder documents interactions between officers and community members in need of assistance. His behind-the-scenes role gives him a unique lens on the relationship between police officers and the residents of New York City.

Meet Special Agent Brian Gander, who works alongside NYPD detectives on New York City's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force teams up federal and local officers, who work together to build cases against sex traffickers and help sex trafficking victims.

Police Officer Lee Stanton works as a Youth Coordination Officer in Public Service Area 7, which covers New York City Housing Authority buildings in the South Bronx. During the pandemic, P.O. Stanton has devised new ways to provide programming to youth in his area.

Sgt. Simmons began her career in 2007 as a New York City traffic enforcement agent. Five years later, she became a police officer. Since then, she has risen through the ranks, first, joining the Detective Bureau and working on a Narcotics squad, and more recently, getting promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Have you ever wondered about the process of becoming a New York City Police Officer? Two representatives from NYPD's Recruitment Section explain the application process, which begins with the written exam. Also, our youth host discusses obstacles that the NYPD faces when recruiting young people today. The application period for this year's Police Officer Exam is from April 7 through April 27. The test will be administered in June 2021. For more information, go to NYPDrecruit.com.

As the commanding officer of the NYPD's Photo Unit, Lt. Elaine Santiago manages a staff of photographers who cover everything from mug shots to promotion ceremonies. In her off-hours, she remains engaged with her community by coaching youth baseball, organizing senior dominoes tournaments, and DJing at community events.

Police Officer Javarro Long grew up in the South Bronx with deep ties to the music scene there. Besides becoming an MC, he had another ambition since childhood — becoming a cop. Today, he mentors young people in Harlem at the Youth Strategies Division, which is part of the NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau.

Within the NYPD, there are many different jobs for civilians that span almost every profession —from doctors to lawyers to mechanics. Bronx native Titus Thomas works as a graphic artist for the Creative Services Section, which produces internal and external communications materials for the department. Titus talks about what it's like to be a civilian inside NYPD, and some of the work that has defined his career.

Meet Detectives Delacy and McLaughlin, two seasoned investigators who help solve violent crime as part of the Crime Stoppers Squad. They explain how the anonymous tip line works to keep New York City safe for all New Yorkers. Crime Stoppers is a valuable tool in the NYPD’s shared responsibility philosophy, by incentivizing residents to help protect their neighborhoods.

A couple of years ago, Inspector Faison was welcomed in as the Commanding Officer of the NYPD's Youth Strategies Division. Today, he works at the NYPD Community Center in East New York, the neighborhood where he grew up, and oversees youth programming, including an aviation program that he teaches.

Lt. Perez shares his experiences as a pilot in NYPD's Aviation Unit, where for ten years he had a bird's eye view of New York City. Today Lt. Perez works as the operations coordinator at the NYPD Community Center in East New York,

New York City high school teacher Mandy Pabon offers the Options.nyc program to her students as part of a community service program in New York City public schools. She sees the Options curriculum as a powerful tool to teach empathy to young people, as well as a way overcome divisiveness within local communities.

Meet Lt. Michael Almonte of the NYPD's Youth Services Division. As a teen, he had negative experiences with police, but that all changed when a cop in his neighborhood helped him realize his potential. Today, Lt. Almonte works with young people both on and off the job. He volunteers as a mentor for the New York City non-profit, Student Sponsor Partners, and has recruited more than 300 NYPD cops to become mentors. His personal Instagram account, LieutanantMike, aims to bridge the divide between New York City cops and the community..

When a position opened for a Sergeant in the NYPD's Transit Bureau K-9 Unit, Sgt. Marc Richardson jumped at the chance to apply. Today, he and his partner, K-9 Robert Venable, help keep the subways safe.

After a traumatic childhood experience, Police Officer Casandra Pagan was inspired to become a cop. She spent the first part of her career as a youth officer, where she mentored a number of Bronx youths. Today, she helps provide important resources for the NYPD's cops and civilians in the Health and Wellness Unit.

Our hosts talk with Officer Richardson, a Neighborhood Coordination Officer (NCO) from the 100th Precinct in Rockaway Beach, New York. NCO Richardson talks about some of the hot-button issues surrounding policing today, including training, neighborhood policing, and funding vs. defunding the police.

The Civilian Complaint Review Board is an oversight agency in New York City that investigates civilian complaints of police misconduct. In this episode, Yohaira Alvarez, the Director of Outreach and Governmental Affairs for CCRB, explains how the agency is structured and how their investigations work.

We kick off 2021 with a conversation between our hosts and two veteran members of the School Safety Division, School Safety Agent Price and Sergeant Harper, alumni of New York City Public Schools themselves. Among other topics, they discuss the role of the School Safety Division and the implications of removing it from the NYPD.

This past Thanksgiving, Options.nyc students delivered hundreds of holiday meals to community members across the five boroughs. In this episode, they describe the unique experience of meeting face to face with New York's diverse citizens, and how, for them, the event was about giving back to the people who make the city what it is.

In three years, Options.nyc has transformed into a citywide learning program for Young New Yorkers. In this episode, our host John — one of the original Options participants — talks with Detective Jason Anazagasty and Sergeant Charles Harper about the program's early days, and how Options adapted to the pandemic by pivoting to remote learning sessions.

Our hosts interview a fellow Options Communications team member about the role of social media in providing news and information, as well as disinformation. Learn tips on how to vet sources and curate your social media feed.

Our hosts interview Police Officer Mangual, who serves his community in two distinct ways. By day, he works as a patrol cop in the South Bronx. In his off-duty hours, he serves as a pastor to a church community. In this episode, Officer Mangual discusses why he became a New York City police officer, and how he applies the same skill to both jobs: listening to people with "the third ear."

Our hosts provide an insider's perspective on the Options.nyc program. Options was developed by the NYPD and the New York City Police Foundation to provide young people with decision-making skills, a voice in their community, and career development opportunities by using various mediums, including virtual reality, to instill emotional intelligence.

It’s important that all New Yorkers — especially young people — to know and understand their rights during any kind of encounter with the police. 

Why should you be wearing a mask and practicing social distancing? Opt In NYC producers Tara, Zoe, and Sabrina talk to medical professionals who work on the front lines at local hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

In the premiere episode, two young New Yorkers interview NYPD Police Officer Rosen about policing during the pandemic, recent protests in New York City, and calls to defund the police. This interview took place on August 24, 2020. For more information, visit options.nyc. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @Options.nyc

Welcome to Opt In NYC, a podcast produced by young New Yorkers in conjunction with the New York City Police Department and Police Foundation. In season one, we talk about the issues facing our communities and share stories about New York City neighborhoods.