"Your reputation isn't what you think of yourself, it's what others think of you."
 
At the request of many people, the guest microphone is turned around on the founder of the "Bridging the Divide" podcast:  Joe King.  The 2010 Patrol Officer of the Year and the 2017 Police Officer of the Year for the Dallas Police Department, Joe King is asked to share details of his life and career starting from early childhood and traveling through points of his 19-year stint at the Southeast Division "chasing dope," his transition to South Central, and the poignant moment that had him eventually retiring his door-kicking patrol boots for office-shuffling cowboy boots.  
 
Joe is considered one of the most prominent officers on the Dallas Police Department for this era, with a long history of working the streets in patrol divisions, being shrewd in case-law study, an innovative project creator, and a mentor to many throughout his time on the department.  He currently serves in the Legal Unit but in addition to his regular work duties chairs as the Dickey's Foundation board member, serves as an advisor for the Assist the Officer Foundation, underwrites and packages grants for the department, networks with community leaders, and tackles any projects brought to him by the command staff.  All this is done with the same professionalism and method of approach that Joe used in his previous 20+ years in patrol, and all-the-while still remaining at the Police Officer rank. This episode is not a memoir of war stories, but rather a genuine response from the heart on questions asked about his approach to policing, his philosophies on professionalism, work ethic, relationships, perspective of the job, and what makes him Joe King.  
 
The last 20 years on the Dallas Police Department have been full of change and evolution in policing with the times, and it is undoubted that Joe has not only actively served the department in this age of policing but has also been a key figure in being at the epicenter of evolution, expansion, and progression on the department.  We hope you enjoy listening to this episode of this incredible police officer, dope-chaser, advocate, volunteer, father, and great human being.  His reputation proceeds him through the door.  

This episode hosted by:  SWAT Officer Danny Canete, FBI Task Force Officer Misty VanCuren, and Narcotics Detective Mark Bacon.  
Dallas PD Harold "Hal" Baird
End of Watch Saturday, August 19, 2000