Inside the Line: Real Stories by Real Cops explores serious crime ‘n grime issues and stories with a dark sense of humor, from a street-level view. Interview, anecdote and opinion mix with insults, small talk, and some things that are just weird. How are college kids hustled by the promise of sex? Why are psychopaths so charming? What’s it like to talk to a mentally ill person who’s just cut off his hand? Wisecracks, smart observations, and stories from the street make for an interesting hunk of weekly infotainment.

Co-hosts Dale Lawrence and Dave Rattigan are joined by frequent third-wheel Nathan Arroyo and a variety of guests. They range from street cops to lawyers to junkies to social workers to dark-skinned solid citizens who’ve had run-ins with the law. Additionally, there are comedians, writers, and academics stopping in, and any anti-cop advocate is welcome. As are prostitutes. Feedback and topics are always welcome at: [email protected]

Co-host Dale Lawrence is a former police officer from the Boston suburbs who worked in a wide range of positions and took early retirement because he was unhappy with the path the police profession has taken in recent years. He’s a former school resource officer, crime analyst, self-defense instructor and creator of the well-received active shooter awareness program called Identify/React/Prevent. Lawrence holds an M.S. in criminal justice from Boston University. He’s also a former boxer and coach. He served in the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group from 1985-1987, and got into policing because, “I looked good in a uniform.”

Co-host Dave Rattigan is a Boston comedian and former journalist (Boston Globe, People Magazine) who currently teaches on the adjunct faculty at two Massachusetts colleges. He covered a little bit of everything during his journalism career, from presidential campaign stops and high-profile court cases to off-the-beaten track feature stories about arm-wrestling champions, confusing traffic patterns, pinball repairmen and high school hockey players who design a new type of goalie pads. His comedy has been played on Sirius Satellite Radio, and he’s appeared in regional commercials and small movies that nobody’s heard of. His degrees are from Emerson College (BFA) and Cambridge College (MM).

Frequent Guest Nathan Arroyo is a young actor and comedian who ads his lunacy to the podcast. An aspiring star whose favorite activity is sleeping late, he’s trying to carve out a career in the tough Boston market. He’s worked on live theater and video projects, notably the independent YouTube series IPS, scheduled for release in 2022.