Beyond the Badge

di Columbus Police Department

Beyond the Badge: Inside Columbus’ Care 2 Mental Health Response Unit

On this episode of Beyond the Badge, we highlight Columbus Correct Care (Care 2), Columbus’ first co-responder unit focused on mental health-related calls. The Care 2 Unit responds with a specialized van equipped with a medical triage area staffed by a fire medic and supported by a certified mental health clinician, allowing medical and behavioral health needs to be addressed together on scene. Officer Arthashika Hughes (Columbus Police Department), Fire Medic Ashley Threatt (Columbus Fire & EMS), and Michael Watson (Valley Healthcare) discuss how Care 2 combines law enforcement, EMS, and mental health services into one coordinated response. The team explains how this partnership improves crisis response, reduces strain on emergency resources, and connects individuals to care at no cost to the community. Care 2 is available for outreach, evaluations, and community resource events and can be reached at 762-822-0209. If you or someone you know is in crisis, dial 988. #cpdga

E18

28 mag 2026

17:04

Beyond the Badge: A First-Year Officer, a Special Needs Mom, and What It Takes

Officer Alexandria Hicks is a first-year officer and mother of two, raising her daughter Ester Grace, who is on the autism spectrum (level three, profound) with additional health challenges. She speaks candidly about balancing the job and home life, what changed after her daughter’s diagnosis, and the support systems that helped her family stay afloat when it mattered most. The conversation addresses common misunderstandings about autism, especially during high-stress encounters, and offers practical considerations for how officers and the public can respond more effectively. She closes with encouragement for other parents and caregivers who may be walking a similar path.

E17

30 apr 2026

20:33

Beyond the Badge (Women’s History Month): Assistant Chief Joyce Dent-Fitzpatrick

We’re closing out Women’s History Month with Assistant Chief Joyce Dent-Fitzpatrick, our highest-ranking female at #TeamCPD. With more than 30 years in law enforcement, she reflects on the people who shaped her, the road to leadership, and how the conversation around mental health has changed the way officers show up for the job and for each other. She also talks about resources available for those who may be experiencing a crisis. It’s an honest look #BeyondTheBadge from someone who’s seen the job from just about every angle. #cpdga

E16

1 apr 2026

37:53

Beyond the Badge (Women’s History Month): 911 Director Tracie Abell

As part of our Women’s History Month series, we sat down with 911 Director Tracie Abell. Just over a year into the role, she talks about leading the center, the pressure dispatchers face, and how she works to keep morale steady. We also cover the RightSite program, now in place with Columbus Fire & EMS, which helps route lower-priority calls so ambulances and fire units stay available for true emergencies. With National Telecommunicators Week (April 12–18) coming up, this episode puts a spotlight on the people behind the headset. #cpdga

E15

31 mar 2026

19:11

Beyond the Badge (Women’s History Month): Sgt. Danielle Danforth | Violent Crimes

Sgt. Danielle Danforth doesn’t say much, but when she does, it matters. In this episode of Beyond the Badge, we talk with one of five women in our Violent Crimes Unit. She shares her Augusta roots (the real 706, as she calls it) and what keeps her grounded. We also discuss a case she inherited and ultimately solved, with her unit standing firmly behind her…proof that good police work is rarely a solo act.

E14

30 mar 2026

23:15

Beyond the Badge (Women's History Month): Cindy Ware’s Return to Preserve #TeamCPD History

After retiring from the Columbus Police Department’s budget office, Cindy Ware could have called it a career. Instead, she came back...this time to lead and manage #TeamCPD's Heritage Center. In this Women’s History Month episode of Beyond the Badge, Cindy shares how she’s preserving the department’s legacy, one artifact at a time. From historic photographs to an annual report dating back to the 1800s, this conversation offers a rare look at the people, moments, and records that shaped #TeamCPD. #cpdga #WomensHistoryMonth #HERstory

E13

26 mar 2026

18:45

Beyond the Badge (Women's History Month): Cpl. Amanda Cobbs, Hit & Run Investigator

In this episode of Beyond the Badge, we sit down with Cpl. Amanda Cobbs, our Hit & Run Investigator with #TeamCPD’s Motor Squad. From her roots in Buena Vista, GA to her role today, she shares what it takes to work cases where drivers leave the scene, and what you should do if it happens to you. Beyond the job, she reflects on the women who shaped her path into law enforcement and the importance of having strong role models along the way. Off duty, she’s always up for finding a good sale, and we get a quick glimpse of what might be playing in her patrol car. It’s a candid look at the woman behind the badge, and the dedication it takes to serve. #cpdga #BeyondTheBadge

E12

23 mar 2026

18:27

Beyond the Badge (Women's History Month): Lt. Jane Edenfield on Property Crime, Scams, & More!

In recognition of Women's History Month, this episode of Beyond the Badge features Lt. Jane Edenfield, who leads #TeamCPD’s Property Crimes Unit. Lt. Edenfield discusses the types of cases her unit investigates, including scams and financial crimes that often involve bitcoin machines and gift cards. She also talks about the department’s Porch Pirate enforcement detail, her regular fraud prevention presentations and bi-weekly segments, and how property crimes can sometimes lead to larger, more serious offenses. The episode also includes a brief moment with one of the corporals from her unit. #cpdga

E11

13 mar 2026

51:01

Beyond the Badge: How Technology Supports Policing at #TeamCPD

In this episode of Beyond the Badge, we talk with Sgt. Max Todd and Sgt. Richard McLaughlin about the technology powering the Columbus Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center. From drones to the camera registry program, they explain how these tools assist officers in real time and strengthen investigations. They’re the in-house IT minds helping build and maintain the systems that support modern policing at CPD. #cpdga #BeyondTheBadge #RTCC #BrainsAndBadges

E10

5 mar 2026

31:38

Beyond the Badge with Cpl. Darquis Brown - Service, Scams, and Staying Sharp

Cpl. Darquis Brown with #TeamCPD's Property Crimes Unit talks about his path through the department—from Patrol to Special Operations and now Property Crimes—and the experiences that shaped him along the way. He also shares details from a recent case where a quick-thinking local citizen helped stop a scam that nearly cost an elderly man thousands of dollars. It’s a straightforward conversation about police work, lessons learned on the job, and protecting the community from everyday threats.

17 feb 2026

25:54

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