TAMPA, Fla. — If trust is earned and not given, then maybe a new podcast in Hillsborough County is worth a listen.
- "Keeping it 100" first podcast for Hillsborough Co. Sheriff's Office
- Sheriff promising 100 percent transparency to community he serves
- More Hillsborough County stories
"Welcome in everyone, and welcome to 'Keeping it 100,' with Sheriff Chad Chronister," said Amanda Granit, Public Relations Coordinator with Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. She sits at a table with Sheriff Chronister and Rob Higgins, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director. The three are recording a future episode.
New this year, Chronister is putting out a monthly podcast called Keeping it 100.
"This is taking that trust through transparency to another avenue. It is getting out and making sure our community knows the sheriff’s office," said Chronister.
The idea behind a law enforcement podcast is not new — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan both have podcasts. It is, however, a first for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Podcasts are now another resource for law enforcement to inform the public they serve. It's another platform to use along with Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
"Whether we did something well, whether you had a bad service, whether we can improve in service, it starts and ends with me," Chronister said. "So, if you have a question, if you’ve had a bad experience, you are curious about something, call and ask."
The Sheriff promises 100 percent transparency in terms of his service to the community; hence, one of the reasons the "100" is in the name.
"If you are saying, ‘Hey, I am going to keep it 100 percent real,’ it can’t be edited. It has to be real," said Chronister.
"In the end, there is no right way to build trust," he went on. "What is right is that it is done. Now it's up to the listeners to decide."
"Keeping it 100" is released once a month, and after every four podcasts, the video version of the podcast will go up on the Sheriff's YouTube page.
To ask a question, just go to any of Sheriff Chronister's social media pages and write him a question with the hashtag #KeepingIt100.