Episode 103 David Syvock retired Newport Beach PD SVU Detective

Interview with retired Newport Beach PD SVU Detective David Syvock

Years of Service: 1988-2016

David was hired in 1988 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. During his time with LACSD, David worked on patrol for the COPS Program and for the Community Action Team and worked for a period of time in Avalon, better known as Catalina Island.

In 2005, David, then 39, left the LACSD and was hired by the Newport Beach Police Department. As a Special Victims Unit Detective, David found his calling and felt he was really making a difference. He worked on cases involving adults and children and worked on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Although rewarding, David admits it was hard work that took a mental toll on him, and in this interview, he discusses the aftermath of one of his coworkers who committed suicide.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro
00:48 Meet David Syvock
01:16 David's Background and Family
02:30 The Path to Law Enforcement
05:04 Academy Experiences
12:03 First Assignments and Jail Processing
14:41 Encounter with Richard Ramirez
16:15 Challenges of Patrol and Politics
22:23 Transition to Detective Aspirations
24:11 COPS Program and Graffiti Cases
28:42 Community Action Team and Subsidized Housing Fraud
32:59 Assignment in Avalon, Catalina Island
39:46 Joining Newport Beach Police Department
47:24 The Path to SVU
48:34 Detective Rotations and Retirement
50:33 Making a Difference in SVU
50:49 A Case in the Philippines
53:45 Challenges of Sexual Assault Cases
56:12 Interview Techniques and Confessions
58:34 Female Offenders and Motivations
59:26 Understanding Male Offenders
01:00:43 Impact of Federal Cases
01:03:30 ICAC and Child Exploitation Task Forces
01:06:26 Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms
01:16:28 School and Church Failures
01:28:04 Reflections on Law Enforcement Career