Policing Matters

Dispatches from the FBINAA National Annual Training Conference

In this compendium of interviews from the FBINAA National Annual Training Conference, held in Orlando, Florida, July 7-10, Policing Matters host Jim Dudley speaks with:

• Former New York City Police Commissioner and former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, about the challenges of policing today;
• Bensalem Township Police Department's Director of Public Safety Fred Harran about his agency's use of Thermo Fisher's Rapid DNA to solve property crimes;
• Doug Monda, founder of Survive First, about the barriers that prevent public safety personnel from getting help for mental health issues.

Understanding the crime rate in America

Crime in America is either rising, or is low, depending on where you get your news and information. One source that disseminates crime rates, statistics, reports and other information is CrimeinAmerica.net run by Leonard A. Sipes, a former police officer who worked his way through top positions within the justice system.

Sipes retired in June 2016 as the Senior Public Affairs Specialist and Social Media Manager for a federal criminal justice agency. He was the primary spokesperson for crime prevention for the federal government for 10 years as the Senior Specialist for Crime Prevention for the National Criminal Justice Reference Service and the Director of Information Services for the National Crime Prevention Council (both funded by the US Department of Justice).

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley chats with Leonard about understanding crime in America.

The importance of mentoring candidates through the police recruitment process

Long before we hit the wall with police officer recruitment, Sgt. Justin Collins, an 18-year veteran of the Rochester Police Department, co-founded Police Exam Career Prep (PECP) with the goal of mentoring and guiding a new generation of law enforcement officers. 

In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley chats with Sgt. Collins about how PECP has been able to help more than 75 dedicated men and women prepare for the police hiring process and make their dream of becoming a police officer come true.

Dr. John Violanti on building healthy, resilient police officers

Across public safety, personnel work in conditions that range from boredom to sudden periods of extreme stress. In addition, it’s no secret that officers don’t get enough quality sleep or meals and work ungodly hours, as well as excessive overtime. But what are the lasting, long-term effects of these occupational hazards?

In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with Dr. John Violanti, noted police wellness researcher and LE veteran, about the increased risks police officers face from stress and cardiovascular disease.

Chief Carmen Best on the challenges facing police leaders

In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with Chief Carmen Best, who recently released her memoir, “Black in Blue: Lessons on Leadership, Breaking Barriers, and Racial Reconciliation,” about the leadership lessons she learned as Seattle’s first Black woman police chief charged with steering the agency through some of the most critical events in policing history.

How to be a cop and be happy

On this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley is joined by attorney and former deputy sheriff Bridget Truxillo, who now works to bring wellness and support to the public safety community as founder and CEO of Protective Wellness. Jim and Bridget chat about how law enforcement officers can apply wellness principles to improve their emotional health.

Life as a rural law enforcement officer

According to Bureau of Justice statistics, nearly half of all local police departments have fewer than 10 officers. Three in four of the departments (75%) have no more than two dozen officers. And nine in 10 employ fewer than 50 sworn officers.

Policing is tough, but even more challenging when you consider the many responsibilities officers face in smaller departments, often responding to calls without backup and across large geographical distances.

In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley chats with Police1 columnist Kathleen Dias, who writes features and news analysis on topics of concern to law enforcement professionals serving in rural and remote locations. She uses her background in writing, teaching and marketing to advocate for professional levels of training and equipment for rural officers, open channels of communication for isolated departments, and dispel myths about rural policing.

Book and release: 12 reads for a cop‘s next book club

We are all better off reading books, whether to expand our knowledge learn or just to relax. On this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley is joined by fellow podcaster, detective and Police1 columnist Christopher Littrell to share some book recommendations, both texts that will improve your performance as an LEO and recommended books to read for leisure. What books would you add to this list? Email editor@police1.com.

Check out Police1.com for the full list of books mentioned in this episode.

Building leadership capital with your cops and your community

In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley chats with Pocatello Police Department Chief Roger Schei about how this mid-sized agency in the fifth largest city in Idaho is addressing defensive tactics training, police recruitment, law enforcement leadership and community engagement. 

Chief Schei has a widespread training background that includes the FBI National Academy, FBI Command College, and several other leadership courses. His management certificate in high liability instruction through Idaho Police Officers Standards and Training (POST) has assisted in implementing several progressive programs for the department, including training from Rener Gracie and embracing the leadership principles of Jocko Willink’s Extreme Ownership Academy.  

The chief is a resolute protector of children’s rights and takes pride in serving as the President of the Board of Directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). In 2016 he was honored to receive the Ron Timpson award from the local branch of the NAACP for human rights advocacy, volunteerism, and commitment to the improvement with the Pocatello community. 

How ‘Shop Talk’ is building bridges between the police and the community

The City of Irving (Texas) Shop Talk program is a community outreach program designed for residents who would not normally attend community town halls but have a desire and need to have their voices heard. The program provides police officers with the opportunity to talk with barber shop clients and workers to facilitate honest and genuine dialog and may be a vehicle that helps build trust in communities.

In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley chats with Irving PD Officer Jon Plunkett who oversees the program and facilitates opportunities to use barber shops and beauty shops for outreach efforts. Since the start of this program, which is partnered with OneCommunityUSA, more than 30 shops are currently participating. Officer Plunkett recently received a US Attorney’s Distinguished Service in Policing award for the program.