Talking the beat to cover what matters to you as an LEO. Join deputy chief Jim Dudley (ret.) every weekly as he sits down with law enforcement leaders and criminal justice experts to discuss strategy, challenges and trends in policing.
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
In this special year-end episode, Policing Matters podcast host Jim Dudley is once again joined by Janay Gasparini, Ph.D., to take a deep dive into the critical issues impacting law enforcement in 2022. Jim and Janay discuss the following 10 key areas:
1. Emerging forms and strategies in use of force
Top quotes from this segment:
"I think we are seeing a lot is this change in our hands-on strategies to better reflect controlling subjects as opposed to anything that might look like excessive use of force."
"When do you think we are going to see a committee in Congress that says let's listen to experts before we make legislative changes?"
Additional resources:
- BolaWrap new less-lethal tool for police
- The GLOVE from Compliant Technologies
- Rener Gracie on the need for police Jiu-Jitsu training
- FBI's National Use of Force Data Collection program
- Use of force reporting from companies like Mark 43 and Thin Blue Defend capture critical details to prevent wrongful outcomes in use of force case
2. Officer morale
Top quotes from this segment:
"Have there really been any shifts since last year? We had our state of the industry survey with 75% of officers reporting that morale is down since last year, so it begs the question of 'Where are we at the end of 2022?'"
"First-line supervisors matter a whole heck of a lot more than we realize."
Additional resources:
- What cops want in 2022: Police1's State of the Industry survey
- Roundtable: How to improve officer morale in 2022
3. Importance of direct supervisors/leadership
Additional resource:
The 22 leadership traits cops are looking for in their supervisors in 2022
4. Navigating Gen Z
Top quotes from this segment:
"There is so much about Gen Z that we know from the research that doesn't fit with our traditional policing tenets."
"Meet them where they are. And where are they? They are online."
5. Virtual reality training
Top quotes from this segment:
"As a recruitment tool, as a training tool, it is going to do very well with Gen Z. It is great for that, but I was really interested to see how it is being used in other facets of the justice system and not just for use of force scenarios."
"We have only begun to realize the potential of using virtual reality for our officers."
Additional resources:
- How virtual reality can reduce profiling in policing
- Wrap Technologies' Societal Rentry Solution Enterprises, part of Wrap Reality virtual reality training system, helps reintegrate incarcerated individuals
- LAPD launches virtual reality training program for officers
6. Police suicide, officer mental wellness
Top quote from this segment:
"I do believe with younger officers that they seem to be more aware of the self-care piece, of the realities of the job."
Additional resources:
- Blue H.E.L.P.: How a nonprofit is on a mission to reduce police suicides, eliminate mental health stigma
- Marie Ridgeway: The value of mental wellness check-ins for law enforcement
- Dr. David Black on how the Cordico app provides wellness support for cops
- Crisis help: National Suicide Prevention, Veterans Crisis Line, Copline.
7. Ambushes on police
Additional resource:
- Remembering the Lakewood Four: 6 keys to preventing an ambush
8. Refunding the police
"When these policies actually play out on the street level you see the stark difference between what is on paper and what is in reality."
9. Crime and policing as a national issue at midterm elections
Top quotes from this segment:
"We understand the spirit behind bail reform but when I go into work and I see the latest domestic violence case come across and someone has forced themselves into their partner's apartment and attempted a strangulation and this person was released on an appearance ticket, it just doesn't sit well with me."
"As much as the public thinks that the police have the last say in who gets arrested and who goes to prison, there is a huge process in between that initial arrest and the jail door slamming. It is public defenders, district attorneys, judges, juries and legislators."
10. The great resignation
Top quote from this segment:
"This is not just officers leaving at the age of retirement, but this is officers leaving for other jobs."
What do you think was the most critical issue impacting law enforcement this year? Email editor@police1.com.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
"Whether you look at divorce rates, mental health concerns, or the very unfortunate suicide data, first responders face higher risk in all of these areas than 'Joe Citizen.' There needs to be more support, and support that is real and unafraid to tackle the tough stuff. And that support needs to be accessible and consistent." So writes Lindsay Faas, a registered clinical counselor in British Columbia, Canada, who specializes in trauma-related counseling and affiliated concerns including PTSD, complex trauma and dissociative disorders.
Policing Matters host Jim Dudley was a recent guest on Lindsay's podcast "Behind the Line," and now returns the favor, inviting Lindsay on Policing Matters to discuss how first responders can proactively protect themselves from burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Thursday Dec 08, 2022
Dr. Eric Piza on using bodycam video to determine use of force predictors
Thursday Dec 08, 2022
Thursday Dec 08, 2022
While the majority of police-civilian interactions resolve peacefully, a small number of situations end with use of force as police respond to subject resistance.
In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with Dr. Eric Piza about his analysis of body-worn video to determine the factors that contribute to whether or not force is used during a police-civilian interaction.
Dr. Piza is a professor of criminology and criminal justice and director of crime analysis initiatives at Northeastern University. He served as the GIS Specialist for the Newark (New Jersey) Police Department where he was responsible for day-to-day crime analysis and program evaluation activities of the agency. A summary of his latest study, "Situational factors and police use of force across micro-time intervals: A video systematic social observation and panel regression analysis," can be found here.
Connect with and learn more about Dr. Piza's research here.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
When a disgruntled employee becomes a deadly threat
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Leaders of any organization can find themselves dealing with individuals who are confrontational or even hostile. Today’s guest had an encounter with a revengeful employee that goes way beyond angry outbursts or even lawsuits. It is a story that we can learn from regarding how to identify disgruntled employees, how to mitigate or take action, and how to protect yourself and your family.
In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with Mark Anderko about how his agency put a performance improvement package in place for a challenging employee that ultimately led to Mark and his family facing a deadly threat.
Mark Anderko has over 28 years of experience in New Jersey law enforcement, serving in various administrative and operational commands, including command positions with the Edison Township Office of Emergency Management and the Edison Police Department Emergency Response Team. Mark is a graduate of the West Point Command & Leadership Program graduate and Police Executive Institute sponsored by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police along with Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Mark began his career in 1988 and rose to the rank of deputy chief of police, retiring in 2016 as deputy chief of police.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Monday Nov 28, 2022
Monday Nov 28, 2022
Law enforcement officers across agencies – from small towns to sprawling rural areas to municipal cities and state and federal services all have similar traits. They are smart, capable, problem solvers with a plan. Anyone who says they are flying by the seat of their pants probably does not anticipate being in the business for long. Of course, they have to be flexible and adaptable to different situations, but they are likely to have a good foundation to fall back on.
In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with Dan Mehdi, who retired from the Drug Enforcement Administration after serving 21 years as a Special Agent (SA). His last assignment was as a SA instructor/curriculum developer at the Drug Enforcement Administration Academy in Quantico, Virginia where the focus of his instruction to basic agent trainees was on self-awareness, adaptation, resiliency, critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making abilities and models. Mehdi discusses the parallels between training for the military, DEA and police agencies regarding leadership and moral courage.
Prior to joining the DEA, Dan was a patrol agent with the U.S. Border Patrol in San Diego, California and an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps, during which time he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was also the DEA’s nationwide Field Training Agent Coordinator where he instructed on the power of influence and everyday leadership to experienced agents responsible for mentoring, developing and evaluating newly minted Special Agents.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Monday Nov 21, 2022
A primer for law enforcement on First Amendment rights
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
We have seen demonstrations and protests intensify over the past few years. We have seen legislation of what, where and when something can be shared in public places. One state tried to regulate the rights of onlookers and their ability to record police activity, only to be struck down by their courts. We have seen social media posts made by law enforcement officers lead to sanctions and discipline. Are we all on the same page when it comes to knowing First Amendment rights?
In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with Chief Jeffrey Scott (ret.) who presented a session on First Amendment auditors to an assembly of police chiefs and command staff at the Georgia Chief’s summer conference. Chief Scott talks about key points to remember and policies that we should think about for our agencies.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Scott Savage on police disengagement on barricaded subject calls
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Friday Nov 11, 2022
You respond to a call for a barricaded man with a gun in a single-family home in your city and set up a perimeter. After a few minutes, your sergeant tells an officer to pull down the perimeter and everyone on scene should return to patrol. Wait, what? Is this the policy in your jurisdiction?
Our guest today has investigated this practice and has developed training on the benefits and detriments of police disengagement on a barricaded subject call.
Scott Savage is an active-duty law enforcement officer in California. His previous assignments include SWAT, full-time assignment to a terrorism/ intelligence task force, team leader on a crisis negotiation team, field supervisor and incident commander. He is the founder of the Savage Training Group, a private law enforcement training organization, which offers an online and in-person course on Response to the Non-Criminal Barricade: Disengagement and Special Relationships. Scott's primary area of focus is how police respond to critical incidents and crisis situations.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Friday Nov 04, 2022
Nancy Rommelmann on meeting one of America’s most heinous serial killers
Friday Nov 04, 2022
Friday Nov 04, 2022
Advisory: Today’s conversation includes talk about a heinous murderer in the Chicago, Illinois area, and another case of murder in the Portland, Oregon area.
In 1994, journalist Nancy Rommelmann accompanied Rick Gaez, a 26-year-old pen pal of John Wayne Gacy, on a road trip from Los Angeles to Illinois to visit the serial killer before his execution.
Along the way, she took the moral temperature of people asking how they felt about Gacy and his being sentenced to death for the torture and murder of 33 young men and teenage boys. Her journey resulted in the publication of Destination Gacy: A Cross-Country Journey to Shake the Devil's Hand.
In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley chats with Rommelmann about her meeting and interview with one of America’s most heinous serial killers.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Friday Oct 21, 2022
Consent decrees: How do they work and who benefits?
Friday Oct 21, 2022
Friday Oct 21, 2022
We have seen consent decrees last a decade, or even two decades at some agencies, while change seems to move at a glacial pace. How do they work, what happens at an agency under a consent decree, and who benefits? These are just some of the questions addressed in this episode of Policing Matters as host Jim Dudley talks to Bob Scales, founding partner and CEO of Police Strategies LLC.
Previously, Scales served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in King County Washington, a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, the Assistant Director for Public Safety for the City of Seattle, the Director of Government Affairs for the Seattle City Attorney, and the Compliance Coordinator for the Seattle Police Department.
Police Strategies LLC uses data science and technology to help law enforcement agencies implement effective policies, training programs and accountability systems. The company’s Police Force Analysis System provides law enforcement with in-depth reviews of force incidents, helping agencies identify and address high-risk conduct and compare use of force practices across multiple agencies. Scales has partnered with several universities to analyze the data collected by his data systems and has published several peer-reviewed academic journal articles on use of force practices.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
The body won’t go where the brain hasn’t been
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Is there enough good technology to help police officers train for better outcomes? Are virtual simulators the answer or a supplement to live training?
In a recent Police1 article, this week's guest, Captain Warren Wilson – a writer, firearms instructor and training commander at the Enid (Oklahoma) Police Department – addressed how simulator technology improves police cadet training and more.
In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley discusses with Captain Wilson – who has over 3,000 hours of documented training, 1,000 of which are directly related to firearms and firearms instruction, and is a published author of over 130 magazine articles – how simulator technology is improving police training.
This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Utility. Utility provides a universe of intuitive solutions for effectively capturing, analyzing, managing, and sharing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors, and devices, as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies, and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, visit utility.com.