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Welcome to the FIVE-EAU Podcast
Where the Eau Claire Police Department brings you conversations that matter to our community. Hosted by Shannon Hoyt and Ben Hundt, the podcast explores crime prevention, community safety, policing innovation, and local events, giving you an inside look at how ECPD serves Eau Claire.
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Check us out on Spotify!
Episode 17: A Rivalry for a Reason - Police vs Fire Charity Hockey Game
On this episode of the FIVE-EAU Podcast, we’re taking the friendly rivalry to the rink! Join members of Team Police and Team Fire as they preview the upcoming Police vs. Fire Charity Hockey Game and discuss what fans can expect on game night. Beyond the competition, this matchup is about bringing the community together and supporting two great causes: Kids N’ Cops and Coats for Kids. Who will take home bragging rights? Tune in and get ready for a night of rivalry, hockey, and giving back! Tickets are SOLD OUT, but you can livestream the game online at â weau.com/livestreamâ . Puck drops at Altoona Ice Arena on Friday, November 6 at 6:30 PM.
Episode 16: Concerns of Police Survivors
On October 6, 1982, Eau Claire Police Officer Robert Bolton was killed in the line of duty. Forty-four years later, on the anniversary of his death, we sit down with his widow, Lynn Bebeau, to remember Robert, recount the events of that difficult night, and reflect on the decades that followed. Lynn shares her memories of Robert and the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding his death, offering a deeply personal perspective on what it means to lose a loved one in the line of duty. She also tells the story of how, in the years following Robert’s death, she helped co-found **Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)**, an organization dedicated to supporting the families and loved ones of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. This is a story of loss, remembrance, resilience, and turning personal tragedy into a lasting legacy of support for others. As we mark 44 years since Robert Bolton’s death, we honor his service and remember the family, friends, and fellow officers whose lives were forever changed that night.
Episode 15: How Data Helps Catch Criminals
Can you predict crime with data? In this episode of the FIVE-EAU Podcast, we sit down with ECPD Crime Analyst Haley Benton to explore the work happening behind the scenes to help the department understand crime, identify trends and support officers and investigators. Haley explains how raw data becomes useful information, how ECPD’s interactive Crime Map works, and how analyzing patterns in time, location and incidents can assist investigations and guide department resources. We’ll also take a look at the technology behind the job and what it’s really like to be a crime analyst.
Episode 14: Behind the Scenes of the Work Behind the Scenes
In this episode, we talk with Meredith La Valley, a law enforcement associate whose work sits at the intersection of public records, privacy, technology, and law enforcement. Meredith reviews, stores, routes, redacts, and releases the audio and video recordings created by the department. That means handling everything from routine body-camera footage to recordings that can be deeply disturbing or traumatic. Her job also requires balancing the public’s right to transparency with victim privacy and the requirements of release law. And as requests for body-camera footage continue to grow dramatically, so does the challenge of managing, reviewing, and responsibly releasing that material. Our conversation offers a fascinating look behind the scenes at what happens to law enforcement recordings after an incident — and the people tasked with deciding what the public gets to see.
Episode 13: Behind the Lens of Body Worn Cameras
In this episode, we sit down with Eau Claire Police Chief Matt Rokus to talk about one of the department’s most important modern tools: body-worn cameras. Chief Rokus walks us through the department’s body camera policy, why these cameras matter, and the protections they provide for both the community and Eau Claire Police Department officers. We discuss how body-worn cameras can promote transparency, accountability, and trust while also providing an objective record of interactions between officers and the public. We also talk about the community support that helped make the program a reality, including the generous donation that provided the funding needed to equip the department with body cameras. It’s a conversation about technology, transparency, accountability, and the shared goal of keeping both our community and our officers safe.
Episode 12: More Than a Press Release: Inside Public Information at ECPD
In this episode, we go behind the scenes of public information and communications at the Eau Claire Police Department. Our hosts explore what it really means to serve as a Public Information Officer and how clear, timely communication helps build trust with the community. From responding to major incidents and working with local media to managing social media, highlighting community events, sharing crime prevention information, and telling the stories of ECPD employees, public information is about much more than issuing press releases.
EPISODE 11: Every Crime Scene Tells a Story
In this episode, we're joined by Lt. Olivia Erl for an inside look at our Crime Scene Unit and the critical role it plays in criminal investigations. We discuss how crime scene investigators document, preserve, and collect evidence that can help solve cases and support successful prosecutions. During the episode, Lt. Erl demonstrates two essential forensic tools used by the Crime Scene Unit: an Alternate Light Source (ALS), which helps reveal evidence that may not be visible under normal lighting, and a footwear impression casting technique used to preserve shoe print evidence found at crime scenes.
EPISODE 10: Confessions of a Polygraph Examiner
In this episode, we sit down with polygraph examiner Tyler Larsen for an in-depth conversation about lie detection, criminal investigations, and the realities behind the polygraph test. Tyler shares his experience as a professional polygraph examiner, explains how polygraph examinations actually work, and discusses some of the biggest misconceptions people have about "lie detector" tests. We also explore the psychology of deception, and the training it takes to detect it.
EPISODE 9: Rookie Roundtable
In Episode 9 of the Five Eau Podcast, “Rookie Roundtable,” we sit down with three recent graduates of the Chippewa Valley Technical College Law Enforcement Academy to hear about their journey into policing and what it took to earn their badge. The conversation explores the motivations that inspired each graduate to pursue a career in law enforcement, the challenges and lessons they experienced throughout the academy, and the excitement and uncertainty of stepping into the profession for the first time. From demanding training scenarios to personal growth and teamwork, this episode offers an inside look at the next generation of officers preparing to serve their communities.
EPISODE 8: Answering the Call to Remember
In the 8th episode of the FIVE-Eau Podcast, Answering the Call to Remember, Lt. Jesse Henning reflects on the meaning of Police Week and the lasting importance of honoring law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. Through personal insight and heartfelt remembrance, he speaks about the courage, commitment, and legacy of fallen officers, including two from our own department whose memories continue to shape and inspire those who serve today. This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every badge is a life dedicated to protecting others, and a responsibility to never forget those who gave everything in answering the call.
EPISODE 7: The Safety Shoeprint: Planning a Secure Eau Claire Marathon
This episode of the FIVE-EAU Podcast, titled “The Safety Shoeprint: Planning a Secure Eau Claire Marathon,” takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the community’s largest events. Featuring Lieutenant Bridget Coit of the Eau Claire Police Department and Race Director Emily Uelmen, the episode blends race-day excitement with an in-depth look at the months of planning required to keep participants safe. The conversation covers the marathon’s growth, its variety of races, and its impact on the community, while highlighting the extensive coordination between law enforcement, city services, and hundreds of volunteers.
EPISODE 6: "911, What's Your Emergency?"
In this episode of the Five Eau Podcast, we sit down with one of the Eau Claire County Communications Center’s most experienced dispatchers, Benny Williams, for an inside look at the voice behind the radio. From handling high-pressure emergency calls to coordinating responses across multiple agencies—including Eau Claire Police, Fire, the Sheriff’s Office, and surrounding departments—our guest shares what it really takes to keep the community safe from behind the scenes. We explore how dispatchers are trained, the challenges they face, memorable moments on the job, and the critical role they play as the first first responders. Whether you’re interested in public safety or just curious about what happens when you call 911, this episode offers a rare and insightful perspective on dispatching in Eau Claire County.
EPISODE 5: WHEN CALLS HAVE CLAWS
Episode 5 of the FIVE-EAU Podcast, “When Calls Have Claws,” combines important public safety updates with an inside look at how animal welfare and law enforcement work together in the Eau Claire community.
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âGuest Addie Erdmann, Marketing & Development Director at the Eau Claire Community Humane Association (ECCHA), shares insight into the organization’s mission, the wide variety of animals they care for, and common misconceptions about shelters. The conversation explores how Community Service Officers respond to over a thousand animal-related calls each year, ranging from stray animals to neglect cases and even unusual encounters like loose pigs or rescued ducks. Listeners also get practical tips on what to do if they find a stray animal. The episode wraps with stories from the field, community engagement initiatives like the “Pawtrol Series” and “Slumber Pawty,” and a teaser for next month’s episode.
EPISODE 4: A Financial Crimes Detective's Survival Guide
Episode 4 of the FIVE-EAU Podcast features Financial Crimes Detective Justin Greuel sharing a practical “survival guide” for avoiding scams during tax season. After opening with department updates, including a notable arrest involving a felon in possession of a stolen firearm, recognition of officer achievements at the 2025 awards ceremony, and a community highlight about Noah Coughlan’s cross-country “Run for USA”, the episode dives into why tax season is prime time for scammers. Detective Greuel explains common schemes such as IRS impersonation calls, phishing emails and texts, identity-theft refund fraud, fake tax preparers, and misleading social media refund claims. He outlines key warning signs, shares insights from real investigations, and offers actionable tips to protect personal information, file taxes safely, and respond if targeted. The episode closes by encouraging listeners to share the information to help others avoid becoming victims of financial crime. đ§
EPISODE 3: Podcast is in Session
In this episode of the FIVE-EAU Podcast, we sit down with two School Resource Officers to talk about what it’s really like to serve inside our schools. From building daily relationships with students and staff to responding in high-pressure situations, our guests share how their roles go far beyond enforcement.
EPISODE 2: The Future is Taking Shape
In this episode, ECPD's Chief of Police joins us to share major news about transformative projects (an expanded K9 program, updated tech and a new facility) that will begin to take shape for our department and community in 2026. From new initiatives to long-term investments in safety and service, you won’t want to miss this conversation. After that, we asked YOU to ask our Chief what YOU want to know. Stick around for a rapid-fire Q&A.
EPISODE 1: Pilot
This episode dives deep into technology in modern policing, featuring guest Officer Josh Miller. Officer Miller discusses the department’s drone program, launched in 2017, and explains how a 22-member team uses drones for search and rescue, missing persons, large events, and officer and public safety. He covers training requirements, drone capabilities, real-world uses, and the policies in place to ensure privacy, accountability, and community trust.
