title: 24 Shades of Blue
text: # 24 Shades of Blue
  
  24 Shades of Blue is a law enforcement podcast that first aired in November 2020. It is funded by the Toronto Police Service and produced by Obie & Ax Inc.
  
  The Police funding of the podcast was criticised by Toronto politicians in 2023.
  
  ## Production
  
  24 Shades of Blue It is funded by the Toronto Police Service and produced by Obie & Ax Inc. Production costs exceeded $300,000. Toronto Police Service have editorial control over the podcast's content.
  
  The podcast was launched in November 2020. As of mid February 2023, the podcast had reached 94,500 listeners.
  
  ## Format
  
  The podcast is presented as a series of interviews and is hosted by Andy O'Brien and Axel Villamil, of the production company Obie & Ax Inc.
  
  Espies include an interview with Black police officer Stacy Clarke.
  
  ## Critical reception
  
  Former Toronto mayor John Sewell questioned if the city's police needed to spend their money on a podcast. Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow was critical that the production of the podcast was awarded through a non-competitive process.
  
  