In this episode, we sit down with a retired deputy chief as he generously shares his firsthand experiences preparing to exit the profession and reflects on life one year into retirement. From the intricacies of financial planning to the emotional transition of leaving behind a lifelong career, our guest offers candid insights and valuable advice for officers contemplating their own retirement journey. Tune in as we navigate the path beyond the badge, providing guidance and inspiration for officers at every stage of their career.

In this latest episode of Real Talk LEO, we are thrilled to introduce our newest member, Jimmy, to the team. Jimmy brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that we're excited to incorporate into our discussions.

In light of recent events and the importance of being prepared for emergencies, we delve into the critical topic of training for Active Shooter Hostile Events (ASHE). We explore various aspects of ASHE training, from understanding potential threats to implementing effective response strategies.

Throughout the episode, we share insights, practical tips, and resources to help our listeners navigate this challenging subject. We emphasize the importance of preparedness, vigilance, and communication in mitigating risks and ensuring safety in today's uncertain world.

Join us as we welcome Jimmy to the podcast and engage in a crucial conversation about training for Active Shooter Hostile Events. Whether you're a newcomer to the topic or seeking to enhance your existing knowledge, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice for individuals and organizations alike.

Tune in to this episode as we engage in a conversation with one of our colleagues who came perilously close to taking his own life. Discover that you are not alone in this struggle.

Do you know the Golden Rule of handcuffing?

In this episode I give you a step by step account of what is going on in an officer's mind as he or she prepares to respond to a serious call. I also discuss the hell an officer goes through if he or she is forced to take a life.

In This episode we had the opportunity to speak with retired Detective Charles Dougherty. Detective Dougherty served the residents of his community for 25 years. As a police officer, tragedies are something you deal with day in and day out. However, Detective Dougherty was not only dealing with those people’s tragedies, but his own as well.

Detective Dougherty’s cousin was killed in Philadelphia, PA during an altercation involving several individuals. When speaking with him, he describes the incident and the progress of the case as it drags on for several years. He also discussed the impact this situation has had on his family as well as himself.

Detective Dougherty turned to alcohol to ease his anxiety while navigating information that should be shared with his family, and what should be held back. As you can imagine, he was also dealing with his own grief.

Detective Dougherty goes on to discuss how 25 years in Law Enforcement has made a tremendous impact on his mental well-being. Years later, memories, both good & bad continue to resurface and impact him.

To kick off Season 2 of Real Talk LEO we had the opportunity to sit down, via Zoom, with Sergeant Eric Tung, of the Kent Police Department, Washington State. Sgt. Tung brings 15 years of law enforcement experience to the table. The Kent Police Department is a state-accredited law enforcement agency that employs 160 sworn police officers, 26 Correction Officers, and 128 Civilian Staff. Sgt. Tung's current assignment is recruiting, hiring and background checks of the very best candidates interested and wanting to fulfill a life long dream of becoming a law enforcement officer. 

In this episode we discuss with Sgt Tung the challenges that all law enforcement  agencies are experiencing with recruiting and retention of current and future officers. As you will hear in our Podcast this problem stretches from coast to coast. We will try to figure out how this came to be and what can be done to fix the problem. So tune in to our latest Podcast, "Challenges Coast to Coast."

You can also check out Sgt Tung's content at blugritwellness.com, @bluegritwellness on Instagram and the Blue Grit Podcast. He also wrote an article in Police 1 discussing this topic and much more. Stay Safe!

Sometimes things just don't go as you had planned and it really can bring you down.  How do you stay motivated when these things happen? How do you get back up and keep performing when your motivation is gone?