Event season in Scottsdale is more than sunshine, big crowds, and headline events — it’s months (and sometimes years) of planning to keep everyone safe while they’re having fun. In this episode of Shop Talk from the Scottsdale Police Department, Chief Joe LeDuc and Sergeant Allison Sempsis sit down with Commander Matt Evans and Lieutenant Chris DiPiazza, two of the key leaders at the tip of the spear for Scottsdale’s biggest events.

From Barrett-Jackson and the Waste Management Phoenix Open to marathons, festivals, and spring training, the team breaks down how they juggle massive crowds, traffic, and competing events across the city. They talk about long-range planning, after-action reviews, and how strong partnerships with other city departments, neighboring agencies, volunteers, and federal partners all come together to support one mission: ensuring a safe Scottsdale.

Episode 1, Season 2 of Shop Talk with your new host Chief Joe LeDuc

Join Kat Palma and Vanessa Villalobos from the Crime Scene Specialist, or CSS. These highly trained professionals are the backbone of criminal investigations, meticulously documenting and collecting evidence that helps bring justice to victims and closure to families. Far from what you see on TV, the real work of a CSS demands precision, critical thinking, and emotional resilience. Every scene is different, every case unique, and the methods and technologies are constantly evolving keeping the job both challenging and rewarding.

Now for some more info on your new host Chief Joe LeDuc:

-Chief LeDuc was first hired as a police officer in 1991.

-He was promoted to Sgt. in 2005 and worked patrol, AND in the Special Victims’ Unit, and Internal Affairs Unit.

-He was promoted to lieutenant in 2013 and served as a watch commander in patrol before supervising the detectives in the Special Investigations Section.

-In 2016, he promoted to Police Commander and oversaw the Foothills District, then moved to the Downtown District and the Detention Section.

-After being promoted to Assistant Police Chief in 2020, Chief LeDuc was put in charge of the Professional Standards & Investigative Services Division.

-Chief Leduc has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

-He is also a graduate of the Leadership in Criminal Justice Administration program from Northwestern University Center for Public Safety.

-He is an adjunct Professor for Northern Arizona University AND an Instructor for FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA)

🎙️ Behind the Scenes of the WM Phoenix Open: Shop Talk Podcast with Chief Jeff Walther & Sgt. Allison Sempsis

Get ready to tee off with an exclusive look at how the Scottsdale Police Department prepares for one of the biggest events of the year—the WM Phoenix Open! 🏌️‍♂️⛳ In this exciting episode of the Shop Talk Podcast, Chief Jeff Walther and Sgt. Allison Sempsis discuss the planning, teamwork, and safety measures that make this iconic event a success. Talking with Thunderbird Chairman Matt Mooney.

🎯 What to Expect in This Episode:

🔹 How the Scottsdale PD works behind the scenes at the WM Phoenix Open

🔹 Insights into managing crowd safety and traffic at large-scale events

🔹 Stories and strategies from past tournaments

🔹 A sneak peek at what makes this year's event bigger and better!

Whether you're a golf enthusiast, a Scottsdale resident, or just curious about what it takes to manage a world-class event, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate coordination and dedication required to keep the event safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Mooney is the Chief Operating Officer of Parkway, a privately-owned, full service real estate investment firm with more than 20 million SF in assets under management across the United States. He graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi State University, where he received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration, and was as a member of the Men’s Golf Team. He and his wife Anna have three children, Connor (age 14), Kathryn (age 13), and Cullen (age 9), and currently reside in Phoenix. He has been a member of The Thunderbirds since 2016.