Running Code

Sergeant, soon-to-be Lieutenant, Richard Thweatt is our next guest on the Running Code podcast. While his assignments have varied over a career spanning nearly 30 years, some things have remained consistent for Sgt. Thweatt: his commitment to community and his desire to help mentor and train the younger officers in the department.

Det. Carl Neidengard is the guest in Episode 52 of the Running Code podcast. His adult life has been marked by several leaps of faith. Seventeen years ago, he moved across country to begin a law enforcement career with NNPD. Since then, he has moved to a homestand to raise a menagerie of goats, chickens and geese, in addition to taking on roles as a church deacon and Troopmaster with Trail Life USA.

Officer Greymi Zapata, a 5-year veteran of NNPD, is the featured guest on the 51st episode of the Running Code podcast. The native of the Dominican Republic moved to Newport News at age 11 and became interested in a law enforcement career while attending college. Now, she faithfully serves Newport News’ South Precinct, often serves as a Spanish-speaking translator for the department while interacting with the city’s growing Hispanic population and teaching NNPD’s Hispanic Citizen Police Academy.

We reach a big milestone – the Running Code podcast airs its 50th episode. To commemorate this achievement, we had to bring on a special guest, and Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones was kind enough to join us.
In this far-ranging discussion, Mayor Jones talks about his military service and its influence on his current role, the importance of public safety in city policy, the future of Newport News, and much more. Also – stick around to the end to learn Mayor Jones’ secret talent.

School Resource Officer Keeyson Hughes is the guest on this week’s Running Code podcast. Officer Hughes has the distinction of not only serving the city of Newport News, but also serving his country as a reservist in the U.S. Army. After recently returning from deployment, he has resumed his role of working in the city’s schools.