Policing Matters

How smarter tech use is transforming police intelligence

Technology alone won’t transform policing — but how you use it will. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley explores the mindset shift that’s helping law enforcement agencies maximize impact: using layered technology, shared intelligence and integrated systems to solve crimes faster and respond more effectively — no matter the department’s size.

He talks with two leaders tackling this issue from very different ends of the policing spectrum: Deputy Chief John McMahon of the Los Angeles Police Department and Chief Brian Bubar of the San Pablo Police Department.

Deputy Chief McMahon brings a big-city perspective, where 4.5 million people and 8,800 officers demand tech-driven efficiency.

Meanwhile, Chief Bubar commands a 62-sworn department covering just 2.6 square miles — but with a history as one of the most violent cities per capita, he’s using layered tech solutions to punch above his weight. Together, they explore how their agencies are using software platforms like Peregrine to unify data, why interoperability is critical to public safety and how real-time intelligence can’t be limited by jurisdictional lines.

About our sponsor

Peregrine’s real-time decision and operations management platform empowers law enforcement agencies with the data they need to solve their hardest problems and do their best work. Through advanced data integration technology, Peregrine maximizes the impact of your real-time crime center by centralizing and organizing historical and real-time data, making it readily accessible and actionable in the moments that matter most. Visit peregrine.io to learn how your organization can get started.

Why U.S. crime statistics are unreliable and how real-time data can help

Crime statistics are meant to help police departments identify trends, allocate resources and shape effective public safety strategies. But what if the national crime data we rely on — like FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) and NIBRS — is incomplete, outdated or misleading?

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Jeff Asher — CIA-trained crime analyst, former New Orleans Police Department data expert and founder of AH Datalytics — about the challenges with traditional crime data collection and the rise of real-time crime monitoring tools. They discuss why the transition to NIBRS has been slow and inconsistent, and how delays in national reporting limit law enforcement’s ability to respond to crime trends.

Asher, who also publishes the Jeffalytics Substack newsletter, has emerged as a national voice on U.S. crime trends. Drawing from his experience in both federal intelligence and local law enforcement, he explains why agencies need faster, more transparent access to crime data — and how tools like the Realtime Crime Index are filling the gap.

Subscribe to Asher’s Jeffalytics newsletter on Substack for weekly insights into crime statistics, data reliability, and what the numbers really mean.

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.

'You don't see it coming': The roadside threat officers underestimate

Every officer knows traffic is dangerous — but most don't realize how fast everything can change. Bob Bemis didn’t either, until March 27, 2015. Responding to a vehicle fire, he was struck by a swerving car, crushed and left fighting to walk, see and live again. Today, the retired Pennsylvania State Police sergeant is on a mission to change how agencies prepare officers for roadside dangers.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Bemis and Jack Sullivan, Director of Training at the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, about the

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

Crashes, not accidents: Fixing our broken approach to roadside officer safety

When we talk about officer safety, our minds often go straight to firearms and physical confrontations — but one of the deadliest threats doesn’t come from an armed suspect. It comes from traffic. Every year, roadway incidents rank among the top causes of line-of-duty deaths for law enforcement. And while the risk is constant, many agencies still approach this hazard with outdated training, inconsistent protocols and little coordination across departments.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Jack Sullivan, Director of Training for the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, to discuss the state of roadside safety for law enforcement officers. Sullivan, a veteran in the field of traffic incident management, shares alarming statistics, real-world stories and actionable strategies to reduce risks — from engineering fixes and digital alerting systems to cross-agency coordination.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

How one detective's instincts exposed the truth behind a dismissed kidnapping

When a man called 911 in 2015 to report his girlfriend had been kidnapped and he’d been drugged and tied up, police didn’t believe him. The story was too strange, too cinematic — bearing uncanny resemblance to the plot of the movie “Gone Girl.” But the real twist was how wrong law enforcement got it. This episode of the Policing Matters podcast revisits the harrowing true story of Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, and how Lieutenant Misty Carausu of the Alameda County (California) Sheriff’s Office helped expose the truth buried beneath doubt, missteps and missed connections.

Lieutenant Carausu recounts how a routine assignment to assist with a home invasion investigation in Dublin, California, led her to a suspect whose belongings – from ski masks to zip ties – raised red flags. But it was a strand of blonde hair tucked inside a pair of blacked-out goggles that shifted the course of the case. That single piece of evidence, paired with Carausu’s determination, ultimately linked the suspect, Matthew Muller, to the high-profile kidnapping of Denise Huskins. PLUS, Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges joins the conversation to share how his outreach to the victims and renewed investigation helped uncover new crimes linked to the suspect.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

From crisis to cutting-edge: How San Pablo PD used technology to transform community safety

Communities across America strive for safer streets and stronger connections between police and residents, but few achieve transformative success. Once labeled the nation's most violent city per capita, San Pablo, California, dramatically reversed its trajectory by combining targeted technology investments with proactive community engagement. Through strategic use of automated license plate readers, video cameras and innovative AI tools, San Pablo PD has become a leader in public safety technology integration, seeing a remarkable 80% reduction in crime over a decade.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley welcomes Chief Brian Bubar of the San Pablo Police Department, who shares insights from his rise through the ranks, the evolution of his agency, and the powerful impact technology has had on crime reduction and community trust. Chief Bubar details how strategic communication, thoughtful policy-making and embracing technological advances positioned San Pablo as an exemplar for agencies nationwide seeking similar outcomes.

About our sponsor

Peregrine’s real-time decision and operations management platform empowers law enforcement agencies with the data they need to solve their hardest problems and do their best work. Through advanced data integration technology, Peregrine maximizes the impact of your real-time crime center by centralizing and organizing historical and real-time data, making it readily accessible and actionable in the moments that matter most. Visit peregrine.io to learn how your organization can get started.

How a forensic specialist finds truth in the chaos of crime scenes

Crime scene investigation isn’t just the stuff of primetime TV — it’s grueling, unpredictable work that demands a tough stomach, a sharp eye and a commitment to truth. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Gabrielle Wimer, a forensic specialist for the City of Ventura, California, and host of the podcast, The Walls Do Talk. With over 13 years of crime scene experience, Gabrielle offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to walk into the aftermath of violence and begin piecing together what happened — and who’s responsible.

In their conversation, Jim and Gabrielle dive into everything from her early fascination with dead bodies (spoiler: she fainted the first time she saw one) to the cutting-edge tech that helps her recreate crime scenes with stunning accuracy. They explore one particularly brutal case that hinged on a tiny speck of blood she spotted — evidence no one else saw. Gabrielle also opens up about what inspired her to launch her podcast, the surprising support she’s received from her department, and why she believes more young investigators need to hear the truth behind the glamorized CSI image.

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.

Promotions, parenthood and policing: How women can rise (and thrive) in law enforcement

Women remain significantly underrepresented in law enforcement, especially in leadership roles. But proactive mentorship, targeted training, and authentic conversations about career and family balance can change that dynamic. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with LAPD Captain Julie Rodriguez about her journey from frontline officer to influential leader, highlighting the critical role mentorship and advocacy play in supporting women through their police careers.

With nearly three decades in law enforcement, Rodriguez is a passionate advocate for women in policing, mentorship and career development. She has served on the board of the Los Angeles Women Police Officers and Associates organization (LAWPOA) and is the incoming president of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE). Rodriguez has leveraged her personal experiences — overcoming promotional challenges, balancing motherhood and career advancement, and thriving in operational leadership roles — to mentor and inspire women nationwide.

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.

Critical connections: The challenges and solutions in public safety communication

Whether responding to a medical emergency, coordinating disaster relief or ensuring officer safety in high-risk situations, public safety radio systems provide mission-critical communications that enable first responders to fulfill their missions.

What does it take to ensure these systems remain functional, interoperable and adequately funded?

This special episode of the Policing Matters podcast, sponsored by Kenwood, features a panel discussion on public safety radio systems. Guest host Police1 Editorial Director Greg Friese speaks with three emergency management and communications experts about the vital role of radio communications in emergency response, the obstacles agencies face in maintaining and upgrading these systems, and best practices for building a reliable network that meets the demands of modern public safety.

About our sponsor

This episode is sponsored by KENWOOD, a trusted leader in public safety communications. KENWOOD ATLAS P25 Systems provide reliable, secure, and flexible solutions for mission-critical operations, ensuring seamless interoperability across agencies. Combined with KENWOOD Viking P25 radios, first responders get the clarity, durability and advanced features they need to stay connected and operational in any situation.

Stronger, leaner, built for the job: A first responder’s guide to real-world fitness

Police officers face immense physical and mental demands on the job. Strength, endurance and overall fitness aren’t just optional — they’re essential for peak performance and long-term health.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks physical fitness with Dru Mejico, a 13-year law enforcement veteran with the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department and the founder of 911 Strong and the Fit for Duty Academy.

With a background in strength and conditioning coaching, Dru has helped more than 1,000 first responders improve their fitness, lose fat and build muscle — ensuring they are ready for anything. Dru’s insights offer a roadmap for police officers looking to stay fit and perform at their best on and off duty. Connect with Dru on Instagram.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.