Policing Matters

Why this sheriff put his jail on national TV — and doesn't regret a second of it

What happens inside a jail is often hidden from public view — unless you’ve been booked yourself. But for Flagler County, Florida, Sheriff Rick Staly, transparency isn’t just a talking point — it’s a strategy. By opening his facility to A&E’s “Booked: First Day In,” Staly hopes to reshape perceptions of corrections work, showcase the professionalism of his staff and highlight how modern jails play a vital role in community safety.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Sheriff Staly about his decision to allow A&E cameras into his jail and the positive ripple effects it has had. From building empathy with the public to drawing in new recruits, Staly says the program has helped humanize corrections work, combat stereotypes and reinforce accountability inside the walls of his award-winning facility.

“Booked: First Day In” is available On Demand and to stream on the A&E app and aetv.com.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

5 threats police officers face in 2025 — and what leadership must do now

Police1’s "What Cops Want in 2025" survey delivers a stark message: officers feel increasingly vulnerable on the job. In a wide-ranging conversation, host Jim Dudley and Below 100 founder Dale Stockton break down the survey’s key findings, exposing persistent safety threats and a growing disconnect between command staff and the realities of front-line policing.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Utility. Utility is transforming how law enforcement captures, manages and shares critical data through body-worn cameras, in-car video, and a fully integrated digital evidence platform. Our mission is to empower officers with technology that’s intuitive, reliable, and built for the realities of the job. We're proud to sponsor today’s conversation around what officers need most to serve their communities safely and effectively. To learn more about how we’re supporting agencies nationwide, visit Utility.com 

Bonus Episode: Policing Matters at Axon Week: A conversation with Axon CTO Jeff Kunins

Policing Matters podcast host and deputy chief Jim Dudley (ret.) paid a visit to Axon Week 2025 to get an exclusive look at some of the revolutionary advancements in public safety technology and the thought leaders and technology experts making them happen.

In this special episode, sponsored by Axon, Dudley sits down with Jeff Kunins, chief product officer and chief technology officer of Axon, to discuss Axon’s AI-driven innovations, real-time tools, ethical design and support for modernizing public safety technology ecosystems.

About our sponsor

This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Axon – the global leader in public safety technology. Discover how Axon is empowering first responders with innovative tools and training to build safer communities and protect more lives in more places at axon.com.

 

Bonus Episode: Combatting the cyber threat with the Public Safety Threat Alliance

Cyber attacks against public safety agencies are rising, with 324 confirmed globally in 2024, including 25 complete system shutdowns. The Public Safety Threat Alliance, established by Motorola Solutions, is a cyber threat Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO) recognized by CISA that provides actionable intelligence to public safety agencies across the globe to improve their resilience and defense capabilities. Membership in the PSTA is open to all public safety agencies, and there is no cost to join for public sector organizations.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, part of a special report from Motorola Solutions Summit 2025, host Jim Dudley speaks with William DeCoste, STARS Program Manager and Telecommunications Engineer Manager with the Virginia State Police Communications Division and Jay Kaine, the Director of Threat Intelligence at Motorola Solutions. They tackle the direct effect cyber attacks can have on public safety agencies and the collaborative efforts underway to combat them.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Motorola Solutions.

Bonus Episode: How the convergence of voice, video and AI is a force multiplier

For police officers, access to the right information at the right time is critical. Most operate in a sea of data from across public safety systems — radio dialogue, streaming video from fixed, mobile and body cameras, location data — but it can be hard to identify and analyze what’s most important in the moment. New devices and applications of artificial intelligence are simplifying technology for officers and providing contextual and actionable information that’s personalized for the time, person and place where decisions need to be made. They are further unifying sources of evidence for a more comprehensive timeline of events and more accurate reports.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, part of a special report from Motorola Solutions Summit 2025, host Jim Dudley sits down with James Felton, Manager of IT Services with the Peel Regional Police in Canada and Jason Hutchens, Area Sales Manager for Software at Motorola Solutions to discuss how the convergence of radio, video and AI can serve as a force multiplier, capturing and synthesizing a greater diversity of data throughout an incident for expedited emergency response and more accurate police reporting.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Motorola Solutions.

Bonus Episode: Bringing 911 intelligence into the Real Time Crime Center

Bringing 911 intelligence directly into real-time crime centers can help expedite police response when children go missing, retail thefts occur or shots are fired. Advances in technology are making it possible for RTCC analysts to review real-time transcripts and translations of emergency calls, AI-generated call summaries and videos or images from community members. This situational awareness helps officers to better understand what’s happening and shave potentially life-saving seconds from their response to emergencies.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, part of a special report from Motorola Solutions Summit 2025, host Jim Dudley speaks with Glendale Interim Chief of Police Colby Brandt and Dave Wilson, Retired Assistant Police Chief and Senior Solutions Specialist with Motorola Solutions. They explore how agencies are using technology to expedite the response to community and enterprise-reported 9-1-1 incidents.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Motorola Solutions.

How proactive policing can move forward: An evidence-based roadmap

In the wake of 2020’s seismic shifts in public perception, police agencies across the country are reevaluating their strategies for preventing crime. While reactive policing still dominates the landscape, there’s growing recognition that proactive strategies — built on research, precision and community engagement — offer a more sustainable path forward. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with one of the leading voices in evidence-based policing to discuss how officers and agencies can move beyond fear and resistance and toward effective, proactive crime reduction.

Dr. Cynthia Lum is a former Baltimore police officer turned professor of criminology, law and society, and director of George Mason University’s Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy. A national leader in translating research into practice, Dr. Lum discusses how police can break away from outdated “toolkits” and instead build smarter, more strategic approaches to patrol. She emphasizes that proactive policing isn’t about doing more stops — it’s about doing the right work in the right way, backed by data and shaped by mentoring, organizational support and critical thinking.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

Bonus Episode: Getting started with Drone as a First Responder

With over 240 million 911 calls made each year, a faster response time to a call can make a consequential difference. Drone as a First Responder programs allow 911 call handlers to immediately dispatch drones in response to emergency calls, streaming video of the scene back to the command center and to officers in the field so that they arrive better prepared. Drones purpose-built for public safety can even deliver various payloads, including medication, defibrillators and other devices.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, part of a special report from Motorola Solutions Summit 2025, host Jim Dudley sits down with Billy Gessner, Technical Manager for the Real-Time Operations Center at the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Alan Melvin (ret.) North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Industry Team for Motorola Solutions, to learn about the benefits of drone as first responders and advice on implementing the technology.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Motorola Solutions.

Bonus Episode: A mobile-first approach to modern policing

Paperwork is a necessary reality of police work, but a handful of public safety agencies are introducing innovative new technologies to streamline how this work is done and help maximize the time officers are able to spend on the beat. The Los Angeles Police Department is one of the first major police departments in the U.S. to adopt a mobile-first vision for policing, enabling its officers to perform field work on their phones.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, part of a special report from Motorola Solutions Summit 2025, host Jim Dudley sits down with Monique Turner, Information Systems Manager with the Los Angeles Police Department, and Dave Wilson, retired assistant police chief and senior solutions specialist with Motorola Solutions to dive into the Los Angeles Police Department’s mobile-first approach and how it’s helping officers spend more time on patrol.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Motorola Solutions.

Bonus Episode: How Protected Places programs improve real-time emergency response

A challenge in emergency response is often the gap between the rapidly evolving event and the information available to authorities. By establishing secure channels for community partners to share vital data including emergency contacts, floor plans and security camera livestreams, authorities are able to gain enhanced real-time visibility. This bridging of information enables more precise and effective interventions that prioritize the safety and well-being of the community.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, part of a special report from Motorola Solutions Summit 2025, host Jim Dudley sits down with Mike Armitage, the executive director of Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority and Lashinda Stair, retired assistant police chief and current industry team director with Motorola Solutions to discuss how programs that connect law enforcement and community organizations and businesses can help first responders be better informed during emergencies.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Motorola Solutions.