YCSO: Behind the Badge
By Trent Faris
From being a Deputy on patrol, or what it’s like to work in corrections. We'll dig into Cold Case investigations, and reveal the multitude of untold stories of how our officers give back to the community
All stories from your neighbors, the hard working men and women who serve the citizens of York County.
Join us of for - YCSO Behind the Badge - the official podcast of the York County Sheriff’s Office.
YCSO: Behind the BadgeAug 07, 2020
National Correctional Officers Week with Sgt. Bobby Heath
May 5–10 is National Correctional Officers Appreciation week. We talk with Sgt. Bobby Heath about his 15-year career as a YCSO detention officer.
Piedmont Medical Center (PMC) SANE Program
Sexual assault can be extremely traumatic for anyone. Today we talk about the highly trained SANE nurses at Piedmont Medical Center who help our detectives gather crucial evidence to help investigate sexual assault cases.
YCSO 2024 Citizens Academy Graduates
This week, we speak to three recent YCSO Citizens Academy graduates on their experiences during the 6-week program.
YCSO Citizen's Advisory Board
The YCSO Citizen's Advisory Board will be comprised of citizens of diverse backgrounds from our four geographic districts. The purpose of creating this group is to strengthen the ties between our agency and the citizens we serve. The role of the Citizens Advisory Board is to bring concerns from the community to command staff and offer suggestions about ways that we can better serve our community. We tried to accomplish this same objective by holding community meetings in the four districts, but the low attendance at those meetings did not justify all of the work that went into hosting the meetings.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Safe Passage.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is a tough subject to talk about, but it’s a necessary one. Kerby McKinnell the Sexual Trauma Services Coordinator at Safe Passage in Rock Hill, and Capt. Mike Ligon of the Catawba Nation Tribal Police to discuss an upcoming training for those who work with victims of sexual assault. To learn more visit safepassagesc.org.
Sheriff Tolson presents the 2023 annual report
The YCSO 2023 annual report is out. Follow this link: https://www.yorkcountysheriff.com/DocumentCenter/View/2376/2023-Annual-Report - to read along as we discuss the report on this week's YCSO: Behind the Badge.
The oldest and one of the newest cold cases in York County.
We open up the cold case file to discuss the oldest cold case and a new cold case Detective Lanelle Day is working on at the YCSO.
Scamming the Scammer
In this bonus episode of YCSO Behind the Badge, we talk about scams. More specifically, the types of scams where suspects impersonate real YCSO employees.
We discuss how to identify a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.
It's Not Like TV. The Real SVU of the YCSO
This week, we talk with Sgt. Amy Smith of the YCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) about the work that detectives do that's unlike what you may see portrayed on TV shows.
*Note: Apologies for the poor audio quality.
Lt. Lovelace's 32 years as a legacy deputy
Lt. Kelly Lovelace is the supervisor of the YCSO office of professional standards. She and her team work hard each day to recruit and retain officers that can adhere to our core values of character, honesty, accountability, integrity, and most of all, respect.
Recruiting a retaining good people to be Detention Officers
Sgt. Michael Hewitt talks about our 7th detention officer hiring event, and how Sheriff Kevin Tolson is working diligently in 2024 to retain those officers we hire.
Lt. David Frye and the Point In Time count
We talk with District Commander Lt. David Frye about his 39-year career. As part of his duties, Lt. Frye helps several non-profit organizations identify and locate homeless people in Rock Hill, and in turn, he and his deputies help those in need get the services available to them.
Sheriff Tolson 2024 State of the Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Kevin Tolson talks about 2023 and what's coming in 2024.
Christmas for Children
For 14 years, Mel Thomas, in her off time and using donations, has purchased Christmas presents for the less fortunate children in York County. Listen to how you can help on this episode of YCSO Behind the Badge.
18 months as a Detention Officer, making a positive impact.
Corporal Atarsha Stinson has been a detention officer for just 18-months, her positive attitude has made an impact on inmates and her career advancement at the York County Sheriff's Office.
2023 Bloodhound Training Seminar
40 Bloodhounds and their police K9 handlers from Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina converge on Kings Mountain State Park for the 24th Police Bloodhound Winter Training Seminar.
A year on the road as a new deputy.
In this edition of Behind the Badge, we ride with four deputies who have been on the road as enforcement deputies for a little more than a year. We talk about their experiences and opportunities they've discovered since becoming part of the YCSO family.
Holiday Traffic Safety and the Carolina Squat Law
At the beginning of the holiday traffic season, we talk with our traffic enforcement unit about safety tips and the new Carolina Squat Law that just passed.
Evidence Control Unit
If it wasn't for the hard working people in the Evidence Control Unit to catalog and maintain crime evidence, our detectives and investigators wouldn’t be able to follow up and then solve any case, more or less get them to court in front of a jury.
Cold Case Solved: The 1992 murder of Baby Angel Hope
In 1992, an infant girl was found inside a plastic Sears shopping bag floating in the Catawba River between Fort Mill and Rock Hill. For 29 years, leads on the case ran cold until science caught up to help bring closure to the murder of Baby Angel Hope.
Bentley vs. Police Car Viral Video. We answer your questions.
Back in August 2023, we created a funny little video that was going around on social media mimicking an ASMR Bentley luxury car video. Here's the link - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwNizP3KZAK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The video quickly went viral on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok. Through the video, we received a lot of questions about the patrol car accessories. In this YCSO Behind the Badge we answer some of those questions. You can also watch this podcast on our YouTube page.
2023 Sheriff's Foundation of York County Fundraiser Golf Tournament
For 16 years, the Sheriff's Foundation of York County has hosted a golf tournament at Springfield Golf Club in Fort Mill as the main fundraising endeavor for student scholarships, the Mike Doty officer assistance fund, and other student law enforcement career programs.
This year, we thank Smart Communications and Founders Federal Credit Union for being our presenting sponsors.
This podcast was recorded at the tournament.
2022 Annual Report Review with Sheriff Tolson
If you like numbers and statistics, this episode of YCSO: Behind the Badge is for you. See the 2022 Annual Report for yourself on our website via this link - https://www.yorkcountysheriff.com/DocumentCenter/View/2132/2022-Annual-Report
Meet the New YCSO Director of Employee Wellness
Sheriff Kevin Tolson introduces the new Director of Employee Wellness, Dr. Nikki Vasilas and the important role she has within the sheriff's office.
YCSO May Month in Review
Catching you up on the highlights during the month of May here at the YCSO.
The Many Heroes, 5-Years Later.
The days of January 16 and 17 changed the lives of many law enforcement officers in York County forever, but not more than Buddy Brown and Randy Clinton. On this episode we catch up with Brown and Clinton 5-years later.
YCSO Community Relations Liaison
In late 2021 Sheriff Kevin Tolson wanted to make a focus on building and maintaining positive relationships with members of our community. He created a new position of Community Relations Liaison. On this edition of Behind the Badge we meet Community Relations Officer Cpl. Johnathan Gilbert. #YCSONews
Arrive Alive! Thanksgiving Travel Safety with Sgt. Ryan Quinn
Thanksgiving traffic safety with Sgt. Ryan Quinn of the YCSO Traffic Enforcement Unit.
Want a career as a Detention Officer? Why not take a tour first.
On this edition of YCSO Behind the Badge we talk with YCSO Chief Jail Administrator John Hicks about a new program to hire good people to become great detention officers.
Sheriff Kevin Tolson
Sheriff Kevin Tolson discusses topics ranging from medical marijuana bill, the fentanyl crisis, and hiring great officers.
YCSO Behind the Badge: SC Senate Bill 150
On this edition of YCSO Behind the Badge - We are sharing a recent Crime to Court episode which features Sheriff Kevin Tolson, Sheriff Mark Lamb from Pinal County Arizona and South Carolina SLED Chief Mark Keel. The discussion is on SC Senate Bill 150 on medical marijuana
YCSO Behind the Badge - Crime Prevention Porch Pirates and Car Break Ins
Tis the season to go stealin'. December is prime time for criminals to become real life Grinches. This week on the podcast we talk to our Property Crimes Unit about how crime prevention begins with you.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Major Hudgins Retires after 40 years of service
Major Robbie Hudgins Retires after 40 years of service.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Drugs in Disguise
On this episode we talk about the scary trend of drug dealers pressing pills with fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other narcotics in the shapes of popular logos, cartoon characters and even Santa Claus. Our YCSO Drug Chemists help us identify these dangerous pill that could be mistaken by kids as just sugar candies.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Ask a Deputy: Traffic Enforcement Questions
Do you have a burning question about traffic safety in York County? Need a holiday traffic safety question answered? We took your questions from our social media pages and answered them to the best of our ability on this week's YCSO Behind the Badge #Podcast.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Cold Case: Hispanic John Doe
On October 30, 2005 two hunters scouting a place to hunt off Pleasant Road and Vista Road in Fort Mill discovered the skeletal remains of a person buried in shallow grave. The person was deliberately covered with tree branches and had been there about a year. Forensic examination found that the person was a Hispanic man possibly from Guatemala. He had defensive cuts on the arm, and neck area. Sixteen years later YCSO detectives are still trying to solve this cold case.
YCSO Behind the Badge: 15th Sheriff's Foundation of York County Golf Fundraiser
For the 15th year the Sheriff's Foundation of York County held a fundraising golf tournament. Since 2007 $220,000 worth of scholarships have been given to York County students thanks to sponsors and player participation. The presenting sponsor for this year's tournament is Founders Federal Credit Union.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Domestic Violence Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. On this Behind the Badge we talk with Victim Advocate Tina Marsh on how victims of domestic violence can break the cycle of violence.
YCSO Behind the Badge - The 2007 5-month long Phillip Watts Robbery & Shooting Spree
From October 2007 to February 2008 a string of harrowing armed robberies and shootings took place in York County. 14 years ago this month a crime spree began in York County that would put most everyone on edge. Phillip Watts would rob stores all the while shoot two clerks and two customers after they complied with his demands. Watts was finally arrested at a Rock Hill apartment off Riverview Road on Feb. 18 after a DNA match identified him. To go into detail of this case more in depth Sheriff Kevin Tolson and Solicitor Kevin Brackett to join us this week on the podcast to talk about the crimes and what it was like to prosecute this case.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Mounted Patrol
Horses were the first patrol car for all law enforcement officers until the invention of the automobile. Today horses are still an effective tool for policing and community relations.
YCSO Behind the Badge - YCSO Information Technology
There are three IT gurus at the YCSO that specialize in maintaining all computers, software, in and out of patrol cars, and basically anything electronic at the YCSO. On this Behind the Badge we talk about the huge job is it to juggle it all.
YCSO Behind the Badge - A brief History of the York County Sheriff
The York County Sheriff's Office has served the citizens of York County since 1786. On this Behind the Badge we briefly go over the 235 year history.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Mobile Field Force Team
When civil unrest causes danger to life and property the YCSO Mobile Field Force Team is there to stand the line to protect protesters and property owners.
YCSO Behind the Badge - YCSO Dive Team
The summer boating season is winding down, but that doesn’t mean that the YCSO Lake Patrol and Dive team also stand down for the season.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Serve & Connect, Greg's Groceries
Founded in 2015, Serve & Connect is a South Carolina nonprofit working directly with law enforcement, community stakeholders, and citizen leaders, we aspire to improve neighborhoods challenged by poverty, crime, and neglect by building trust, optimizing collaboration, and fostering a shared sense of pride.
The YCSO partners with S&C with the Greg's Groceries program.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Alcohol Enforcement Team
Each month six teams with the York County Alcohol Enforcement Team (AET) work to make sure businesses in York County are not selling alcohol to those underage.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Back To School with YCSO SROs
On August 16, 2021 York County schools will be back in session. On this behind the badge we talk with two YCSO School Resource Officers about what parents and students need to know about the first day and the school year.
YCSO Behind the Badge - Polygraphs
The old saying "liar liar pants on fire" doesn't work in the real world of polygraphs at the YCSO.
YCSO Behind the Badge - PSC 911 Dispatchers
In law enforcement it can be argued that 99% of all cases begin with a call to 911. On this edition of Behind the Badge we talk with a 911 dispatcher about the world of public safety communications.
YCSO Behind the Badge - DUI Prosecution
When it comes to prosecuting driving under the influence cases the 16th Circuit Solicitors Office's Attorney Matt Shelton and his team are the best at it, and Shelton has the national award to prove it.