Sheriff Jay Armbrister sits down with community outreach coordinator Morgan Haney and recent Citizens Academy graduates Hannah Bolton (founder, Cardinal Housing Network) and defense attorney Matthew Fredrick to explore how the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office opens its doors to the public.

They break down what happens over the seven-week, nine-session DGSO Citizens Academy — from reentry simulations and jail tours to dispatch, firearms and traffic-stop scenarios — and how experiential learning changes perceptions of law enforcement.

Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister interviews Jessica Glendening, chief public defender in Douglas County, in a conversation about different aspects of the legal system.

Glendening discusses her 16-year career in criminal defense, including her roles in Shawnee and Douglas counties. She explains the differences between public defenders and retained attorneys and prosecutors, the challenges of managing caseloads and the importance of addressing clients' non-legal needs. Glendening also highlights the misconceptions about public defenders and the adversarial nature of the legal system.

She emphasizes the rewarding aspects of her job, such as helping clients with mental health and substance abuse issues. The conversation underscores the collaborative efforts in Douglas County to support reentry and community well-being.

Sheriff Jay Armbrister hosts the "View from 100" podcast episode 06, featuring Carrie Neis and Shelby Osborn of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Reentry team.

The program helps people in custody transition back into society, addressing barriers like housing, mental health and substance abuse. Neis, director or reentry, and Osborn, a reentry case manager, emphasize the importance of meeting inmates where they are and providing tailored support.

They highlight the success of the medication-assisted treatment program, which has seen significant reductions in recidivism. The program also collaborates with local agencies to provide comprehensive services, including housing and job assistance. They also underscore the need for more staff and housing resources.

Sheriff Jay Armbrister hosts a discussion featuring Judge James McCabria, chief district court judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Kansas, which is Douglas County.

Judge McCabria discusses his role, including caseload distribution and administrative functions, and explains other aspects of the courts in Kansas. Judge McCabria shares his background, including his education at Ohio State University and Tulsa University, and his career path from defense attorney to prosecutor and judge. He explains the selection process for district court judges and the importance of public respect for the judiciary. The conversation also touches on the challenges of the justice system, including workload management and the impact of failures to appear in court.

In this special bonus episode of the View from 100 podcast, Sheriff Armbrister and Master Corrections Officer Kyle Appleby discuss the agency's efforts to be inclusive, including Kyle's role as the LGBTQ+ liaison.

Appleby as liaison works to create transparency and understanding within the agency. This includes training new hires on respectful interactions with the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for transgender individuals. He helps staff understand the importance of using correct names and pronouns, explaining legal processes and being transparent about procedures.

DGSO is part of the LGBTQ+ Metro Law Enforcement Network, which allows the agency to be present at community events and show support.

Sheriff Armbrister and Morgan Haney discuss her role as an advocacy and outreach specialist at the sheriff's office.

Morgan shares her journey from social work to dispatching, driven by her desire to support first responders and victims of trauma. She emphasizes the importance of peer support and community outreach, particularly for domestic violence survivors.

Morgan highlights the challenges of building trust and the impact of her work, including attending court with victims and organizing community events. They also discuss the prevalence of trauma among first responders and the need for mental health support. Morgan provides her contact information for those seeking assistance.

NOTE: This episode includes discussion of suicide and suicide attempts. If this topic is difficult for you, please take care while listening. Feel free to pause or skip this episode—do whatever you need.

If you’ve lived through something similar, our hearts are with you. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. You can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.

In episode 03 of the "View from 100" podcast, Sheriff Jay Armbrister and guests Lt. Rich Qualls and Master Corrections Officer Kyle Appleby of the DGSO Training Division discuss the importance of training in law enforcement.

They highlight the evolution of training methods, emphasizing the need for foundational skills and continuous education. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has an eight-week corrections academy followed by eight weeks of on-the-job training for new corrections officers, which is the most extensive of its kind in the state. They also address the challenges of training young officers and the importance of mental health support, and the advantages of starting your law enforcement career in corrections.

The conversation also touches on the agency's competitive pay package and recruitment strategies.

In the second episode of View from 100, Sheriff Jay Armbrister talks with Katy Fitzgerald, the Criminal Justice Coordinator for Douglas County, about her collaborative work with the county's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Fitzgerald, who came to Douglas County in 2022, discusses how her background in clinical and community psychology shaped her work with juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system.

She also talks about the work of coordinating efforts across law enforcement, courts and treatment providers, as well as the CJCC's recent achievements in improving competency restoration programs, probation assessments and CJCC governance. Looking ahead, Fitzgerald highlights the importance of system-wide data collection and strategic communication to drive future progress.

Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Douglas County Sheriff's Office