Chicano Squad

Vox Media Podcast Network
  • 4.6 (1.1K)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • SERIES
Chicano Squad

Forty years ago, Houston's Latino community was plagued by discrimination, police violence and a growing number of unsolved murders. With tensions between police and the community at their peak, five young officers were placed in an audacious experiment: A new all-Latino homicide squad, with little training and few resources, assigned to solve the city’s most vicious crimes. Chicano Squad tells the true story of these men, their divided loyalties, and a city on the brink.Hosted by Cristela Alonzo. Produced by Frequency Machine and the Vox Media Podcast Network. 

  1. The Death of José Campos Torres

    EPISODE 1

    The Death of José Campos Torres

    In 1977, the body of 23-year-old veteran José Campos Torres was discovered in the waters of Buffalo Bayou. The city of Houston would never be the same. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min
  2. One Dollar for a Life

    EPISODE 2

    One Dollar for a Life

    When the officers involved in the drowning of José Campos Torres get off with little more than a slap on the wrist and a dollar fine, racial tensions explode at a Cinco de Mayo celebration that will come to be known as the Moody Park Riot. With trust between the Latino community and Houston’s police destroyed and a rising number of unsolved homicides affecting Spanish-speaking Houstonians, the Houston Police Department needs to try something new. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min
  3. Between the Barrio and the Badge

    EPISODE 3

    Between the Barrio and the Badge

    Growing up in the barrio, with brothers on the wrong side of the law, Cecil Mosqueda had every reason to distrust the police. He became a cop to try and show his family there was a different way. But in the wake of José Campos Torres’ death, his loyalties to his community and his brothers in blue will be tested like never before. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    51 min
  4. One Squad Against the Unsolvable

    EPISODE 4

    One Squad Against the Unsolvable

    On their first day, the six Latino police officers who will become the Chicano Squad are handed a stack of fifty-two whodunits. These are murder cases with no leads and no hope. Until now. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min
  5. Cocaine Kings

    EPISODE 5

    Cocaine Kings

    Just when the Squad has begun to make real headway against the murders plaguing Houston’s Latino neighborhoods, a new, more sinister threat emerges. The Cartels have arrived in Houston - and they’re leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min
  6. Officer Down

    EPISODE 6

    Officer Down

    Officer Jaime Escalante’s tenacious investigative style and work with confidential informants has earned him the fear and respect of the Colombian cartels. But when a police officer is murdered, finding the killers will mean more than just going up against drug dealers – he’ll have to stand up to other police officers, too. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    50 min
  7. Little Girls Lost

    EPISODE 7

    Little Girls Lost

    When two little girls go missing in Texas, only 11 days apart, it’s a race against the clock to bring them home safely. One will have the attention of the entire country - the other has the Chicano Squad. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min
  8. Temptations - The Fall of Bobby Gatewood Part 1

    EPISODE 8

    Temptations - The Fall of Bobby Gatewood Part 1

    The Chicano Squad has handled cartels, kidnappings, and cop killers. But can they handle corruption from within? Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min
  9. The Sting - The Fall of Bobby Gatewood Part 2

    EPISODE 9

    The Sting - The Fall of Bobby Gatewood Part 2

    Bobby Gatewood used to be one of the Chicano Squad’s stars, until temptations led him to make bad choices that got him suspended indefinitely. Benched and in financial free fall, how far will Bobby go to try and change his fortune? Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    54 min
  10. The Ones That Stay With You

    EPISODE 10

    The Ones That Stay With You

    After twenty years, the Chicano Squad had an extraordinary 91% clearance rate. But there were some cases where justice eluded even them. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    48 min
  11. Whose Stories Get Told

    EPISODE 11

    Whose Stories Get Told

    Forty years after it was founded, the Chicano Squad was almost completely forgotten. In our final episode, a look at how a dedicated few made sure the Squad's legacy would live on, and questions about what we can learn from them today. Take our listener survey here; thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    41 min

  12. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Introducing Chicano Squad

    Five young officers. Hundreds of homicides. A city on the brink. Chicano Squad begins Tuesday, January 5th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    3 min
See All Season 1 (12)

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
1,079 Ratings

About

Forty years ago, Houston's Latino community was plagued by discrimination, police violence and a growing number of unsolved murders. With tensions between police and the community at their peak, five young officers were placed in an audacious experiment: A new all-Latino homicide squad, with little training and few resources, assigned to solve the city’s most vicious crimes. Chicano Squad tells the true story of these men, their divided loyalties, and a city on the brink.Hosted by Cristela Alonzo. Produced by Frequency Machine and the Vox Media Podcast Network. 

Information

  • Creator
    Vox Media Podcast Network
  • Episodes
    13
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Chicano Squad

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