Policing Matters

WASPC's statewide wellness challenge turns vision and synergy into measurable wins

Across the country, law enforcement agencies are rethinking wellness as more than just good slogans or EAP brochures. Washington State is leading that shift. Through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), agencies of every size joined an eight-week wellness challenge that treated health as a professional competency — something measurable, trainable, and shared across ranks. The program upleveled from “self-care” to total readiness: stronger bodies, sharper minds, and more resilience. By combining competition, clear metrics and statewide leadership, it created a blueprint other states could follow.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks with Lexipol’s Mandy Nice, Camas Police Department Chief Tina Jones, and WASPC Program Manager Terrina Peterson about how WASPC’s Wellness Challenge translated that vision into measurable success. The statewide initiative focused on five pillars — physical fitness, mental health, nutrition, peer support and family wellness. It paired clear goals with leadership support, coaching, professional wellness guidance housed in Lexipol’s Cordico wellness app, and friendly competition that inspired lasting behavior change across Washington’s first responder community.

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.

How drug courts are changing the fight against addiction and crime

After years of climbing overdose deaths, some jurisdictions are finally seeing declines. But fewer fatalities don’t answer a frontline question: what actually works to cut crime tied to addiction? In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley goes beyond slogans and harm-reduction headlines to examine drug courts — intensive, accountability-driven programs that pair frequent testing, treatment and judicial oversight — and what separates effective models from window dressing.

Joining him is John R. Gallagher, PhD, LCSW, LCAC, an associate professor of criminal justice at Alvernia University and a licensed clinical social worker with more than 25 years of experience in addiction and mental health counseling. Having worked inside county jails and with probationers and parolees, Gallagher has seen firsthand how untreated addiction drives recidivism — and how properly structured treatment courts can turn that cycle around. As a researcher trained in Moral Reconation Therapy, he shares data and field-tested insights on what makes drug courts work, where they fail and how they can balance accountability, rehabilitation and public safety.

About our sponsor

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is brought to you by LVT, the mobile surveillance solution trusted by public-sector leaders nationwide. LVT’s solar-powered mobile surveillance units put eyes and AI analytics where fixed cameras can’t — parking lots, remote borders, disaster zones, and large events. Agencies using LVT have seen up to an 83% drop in parking-lot incidents and a 54% reduction in burglaries. Each unit is rapid to deploy, cloud-connected via cellular or satellite, and secured end-to-end so your team can monitor and respond in real time with fewer resources. See how LVT’s self-powered units protect communities, secure critical infrastructure and support law-enforcement operations and schedule a free trial today at LVT.com.

Inside the FBI National Academy: How 10 weeks at Quantico shapes police leaders

Born from a push to professionalize policing, the FBI National Academy has evolved into a 10-week residential program where law enforcement leaders sharpen their fitness, academics and communication while building a global network. On this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley and two recent FBI NA graduates explore what the experience looks like today, from class selection and study habits to weekend field trips and the capstone Yellow Brick Road run.

Hamilton Township, Ohio Chief Scott Hughes and retired California Chief Tricia Seyler reflect on their NA journeys, the mentors who nudged them to apply and the discipline it takes to thrive once you arrive. They discuss practical prep, why leaving your office behind is essential, how to make the most of the networking culture and what they brought back to their agencies.

About our sponsor

Flock Safety works with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide, delivering real-time intelligence through a holistic ecosystem of technology designed to keep officers safe, reduce crime, and build stronger communities. And if you’re looking for real stories from the front lines — how your peers are using these tools to shape the future of safety in their cities — tune in to Flock’s “Real Time Policing” podcast, with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays. Watch episodes on YouTube or tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to view.

When the world turned on cops, she listened

For more than a decade, Abby Ellsworth has been listening to police officers, first through interviews in the Seattle area and later through her podcast, On Being a Police Officer. She launched the show in 2020, at a moment when policing was under intense scrutiny and officers faced both public criticism and personal strain from COVID restrictions and civil unrest. Ellsworth’s mission is clear: create a safe space where officers can share candidly, remind them of the wins that sustain their calling, and give civilians a more human, unfiltered view of the profession than news headlines allow.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks with Ellsworth about why a civilian voice can bridge divides, how she helps officers “remember the wins,” and why context is the missing ingredient in media coverage. The conversation also explores how storytelling eases trauma, how public support can go beyond slogans and what keeps Ellsworth committed despite pushback.

About our sponsor

Flock Safety works with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide, delivering real-time intelligence through a holistic ecosystem of technology designed to keep officers safe, reduce crime, and build stronger communities. And if you’re looking for real stories from the front lines — how your peers are using these tools to shape the future of safety in their cities — tune in to Flock’s “Real Time Policing” podcast, with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays. Watch episodes on YouTube or tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to view.

Training under pressure: Making every dollar — and decision — count

Training police officers for real-world encounters requires more than classroom instruction — it demands safe, repeatable and cost-effective tools that prepare officers for high-stress situations. This special episode of the Policing Matters podcast, part of Police1’s Police Training Week series, showcases how agencies can expand training opportunities that sharpen skills, strengthen readiness and fit within limited budgets.

In this episode, host and Police1 columnist Warren Wilson talks with Mike McCaslin, law enforcement and government channel manager for T4E – Training for Engagement. With more than 23 years of experience across municipal, county, tribal and federal policing, McCaslin brings a deep passion for officer readiness and less lethal training. Together, they discuss how realistic, affordable force-on-force platforms help officers train more often and with greater confidence.

About our sponsor

T4E – Training for Engagement provides the industry’s most realistic training equipment to help professionals build skills with confidence and safety. From precision-engineered paintball markers that replicate duty firearms to high-quality gear for scenario-based training, T4E helps you prepare for real-world situations without real-world risk. Equip your team with tools that enhance muscle memory, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure. To explore the full line of training products, visit T4Eguns.com.

The hidden sleep risks putting cops at risk

Fitness, training, discipline and communication are core to good policing, but sleep underpins them all. Quality sleep sharpens judgment, reaction time and restraint while buffering stress and trauma. For officers working long shifts, odd hours and high-stress scenes, better sleep is a practical readiness tool — not a luxury.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Dr. Leah Kaylor, an FBI clinical psychologist who provides trauma therapy and critical-incident debriefings. Kaylor’s new book, “If Sleep Were a Drug: Why Sleep Is the Ultimate Advantage — No Prescription Required,” breaks down common sleep myths, explains how REM restores emotional balance and offers field-tested strategies officers can use tonight. The episode also tackles shift work realities, caffeine and alcohol traps, and when to seek help for sleep apnea.

About our sponsor

Flock Safety works with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide, delivering real-time intelligence through a holistic ecosystem of technology designed to keep officers safe, reduce crime, and build stronger communities. And if you’re looking for real stories from the front lines — how your peers are using these tools to shape the future of safety in their cities — tune in to Flock’s “Real Time Policing” podcast, with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays. Watch episodes on YouTube or tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to view.

How police can prepare for AI, doxxing and disinformation

Online threats amplified by AI — from doxxing and deepfakes to coordinated influence operations — are collapsing the time between rumor and real-world risk. Expect pressure points across campuses and big cities, immigration enforcement and politically charged events, with protests only one piece of the picture. For police leaders, the task is to detect signals sooner, verify and communicate faster, and protect officers and targets while safeguarding First Amendment rights.

On this week’s Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Alex Goldenberg, director of intelligence at Narravance, senior adviser to the Network Contagion Research Institute and a fellow at Rutgers University. He investigates online extremism, foreign influence and child safety threats, advises lawmakers and practitioners, and helps platforms and nonprofits remove threat actors at scale. His work translates narrative and behavioral intelligence into practical steps for protest preparedness and officer safety.

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.

Resilience is survival — and the key to keeping cops in the fight

Resilience is no longer just a buzzword in policing — it’s an officer safety skill. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks with Dr. Stephanie Conn, a public safety psychologist, former dispatcher and police officer, and author of “Increasing Resilience in Police and Emergency Personnel: Strengthening Your Mental Armor.” Drawing from her unique perspective as both practitioner and researcher, Dr. Conn explains why resilience must be deliberately developed and how officers can use small, practical tools to safeguard their health and performance.

Dr. Conn was born into a police family, served as a dispatcher and later as a Fort Worth police officer before transitioning into psychology. After witnessing the lack of culturally competent mental health support for officers, she became a psychologist to fill that gap. Today, she works with public safety professionals across the U.S. and Canada, combining lived experience with research-based strategies to help officers and agencies build resilience, improve wellness and strengthen organizational support.

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.

From early lessons to AI integration: The evolution of drones as first responders

Drones as first responders (DFR) have quickly moved from experimental pilots to a central part of modern public safety response. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks with Rahul Sidhu, vice president of aviation at Flock Safety and co-founder of Aerodome, about how agencies can successfully launch, scale and sustain DFR programs.

Sidhu shares lessons from his own start at Redondo Beach PD, common pitfalls agencies should avoid, and what comes next as AI and automation redefine drone deployment in emergency response.

About our sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Flock Safety. Discover the leading safety technology platform that helps communities thrive by taking a proactive approach to crime prevention and security. Empower your agency to solve crime faster with Flock's city-wide platform. Our full-service, maintenance-free solution helps you solve more crime to shape a safer future for thousands of communities across the country. Flock Safety provides best-in-class License Plate Readers (LPRs), audio detection, video cameras, RTCC software, and Drone as First Responder systems for law enforcement to solve crime and keep their cities safe.

From the street to the page: A San Francisco sergeant's journey from police work to bestselling books

For many officers, the stories they collect on the job remain within squad room walls. San Francisco Police Sergeant Adam Plantinga has turned his into the foundation of a second career, using two decades in patrol, investigations and specialized units to fuel both nonfiction accounts and gritty crime novels.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks with Plantinga about his journey from Milwaukee patrol officer to SFPD sergeant, his acclaimed nonfiction titles “400 Things Cops Know” and “Police Craft,” and his crime series featuring a former Detroit officer. Plantinga explains how real-world policing — from bizarre street encounters to high-stakes cases — shapes his stories, why he moved from nonfiction to fiction, and the strategies he uses to carve out writing time alongside a demanding law enforcement career.

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.