Policing Matters

Every cop in every city can name a dozen spots within their jurisdiction that might call a hot spot or the place where drugs are sold, burglaries occur, or maybe where the next shooting will happen. It may not be so easy to articulate why, off-hand, but concepts like Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and of course, crime maps can help. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Dr. Tamara Herold, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and senior research advisor at the National Institute of Justice, about her background in crime science and environmental criminology and her research into place-based violence. Her publications translate theory and research evidence into practice and policy. Her book, "Preventing Crowd Violence," has been translated into two foreign languages. She was recently featured in Police1's 23 on 2023: A police leadership playbook. This episode of the Policing Matters Podcast is brought to

This episode of Policing Matters reviews use of force issues, including the recent history of the carotid restraint, electrical conducted devices (what most generally refer to as TASERs) and other force options that have been restrained or discontinued from use, such as tear gas options in some jurisdictions for crowd control. We will talk about innovations and possible options for the future. Host Jim Dudley speaks with Jon Becker, the founder and CEO of AARDVARK Tactical, a leading provider of tactical equipment and custom solutions. Along with training and integrating force systems at AARDVARK, Jon became an attorney, where his interest in civil rights and police litigation merged and led him to write for many of the top tactical publications on a variety of topics. In addition, Jon is the host of The Debrief with Jon Becker podcast where Jon sits down with tactical leaders and operators to discuss all things leadership, training and tactics. Access additional show notes and resources related to this episo

Effective screening of law enforcement candidates is probably the most crucial part of the hiring process. Most departments have a written, oral and physical agility test, a polygraph examination and a psychological profile test. But are we able to effectively screen out people who probably are not suitable for the job?  In December 2022, news hit that the agency overseeing the training and certification of police officers in Washington State was moving to more aggressively remove recruits from the state law enforcement training academy when they show signs they're psychologically unfit. This change came after an officer who is now the subject of two lawsuits alleging excessive force and a manslaughter charge "overreacted" during a 2018 training session in which his instructor said he lapsed into "mental condition black," shot an unarmed virtual suspect, then shut down and tuned out criticism. In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with assistant professor Paul Taylor, Ph.D., from the Uni

American law enforcement often views itself as an island. Except for the influence of the UK's Sir Robert Peel and his Peelian Principles in 1822, we do not seem to compare our operations and experiences with police agencies in other countries. But when attending gatherings like the FBI's National Academy and meeting with international police officers, you find that American policing does, in fact, share many of the same common issues with our brothers and sisters in other countries. In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley talks to Dr. Laura Huey, a Canadian criminologist specializing in the study of public policing, victimization, missing persons and mental health issues in criminal justice, about the similarities and differences between policing in the United States and Canada. Dr. Huey is a professor at the University of Western Ontario in the department of sociology. She is also the editor-in-chief of the international journal "Police Practice & Research," chair of the Working Group on Me

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 mora

"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 includ

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 

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 spon

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 m

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 inclu

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 situati

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 o

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 incid

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

During a career in law enforcement, officers are involved in many traumatic incidents. What can police agencies do to help their personnel mentally prepare for those incidents? Building resilience within employees is essential and that responsibility falls to law enforcement leadership. In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley reports from the California Peace Officers Association (CPOA) Conference where he spoke to Sergeant Eric Thorton and Sergeant Steve Breakall from the El Cajon (California) Police Department about their presentation titled "Leading for Resilience." They discuss how first-line supervisors can build resilience among their officers to help them navigate through modern mental wellness by recognizing PTSD, normalizing self-care and reducing stigmas surrounding officer mental health. If there is a report-writing issue, the supervisor helps take care of it. If there is a building search issue, the supervisor helps take care of it. If there is an emotional trauma issue, then the sup

Is your agency at risk of becoming a victim of ransomware? What are departments doing to protect themselves? And what can we do as individuals to protect our phones, tablets and computers from being hacked? In this episode, Policing Matters host Jim Dudley speaks with Eric Escobar, principal security consultant for Secureworks, about malicious activity online and how law enforcement agencies and officers can protect themselves from attack.   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.

Have you ever been investigated by your department’s Internal Affairs office? Was it a pleasant experience? In this episode, Policing Matters host Jim Dudley speaks with veteran LAPD Internal Affairs investigator Marlon Marrache about the inner workings of an internal affairs unit, or what many agencies have deemed the Professional Standards Unit. Marlon, a retired 24-year LAPD sergeant, spent 15 years working in Internal Affairs.  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. NEXT: Chief Robert McNeilly on how early intervention can identify issues before they become problems

Policing is a tough job. There can be experiences and incidents that can drive anyone to the edge. The profession gets better and better with training and education to help us respond appropriately and handle most any situation, but do we do a good job at addressing an officer’s mental health wellness?  Today’s show deals with the mental health and well-being of law enforcement officers and their families. Policing Matters host Jim Dudley speaks with master's level therapist Marie Ridgeway about the role therapy can play in improving officer mental wellness. Marie's private practice in the Minneapolis/St Paul metro area of Minnesota has a team of five therapists who work with over 50 public safety agencies and have served thousands of law enforcement officers since 2017. 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.

In this special crossover episode, public safety leaders come together to reflect on the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and the legacy of 9/11 in the emergency services. Policing Matters host Jim Dudley is joined by Inside EMS host Chris Cebollero and Gary Ludwig, of the Champaign (Illinois) Fire Department, the 2022 IAFC Career Fire Chief of the Year. Together, they discuss how first responders have continued to move forward for over 20 years now and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 as recruits enter public safety who were not even born yet at the time. The focus is on honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice and lived up to their oath to help others in their time of need, the legacy of lessons learned about responding in a hazardous situation, ongoing vigilance against threats and why “never forget” should not be a cavalier statement, but one made with meaning, purpose and with emphasis. Read more recollections, as well as how lessons learned are impacting the way fi

Law enforcement officers are tasked with a difficult mission that, different from so many other professions, causes them to be exposed to the risk of trauma, injury, or even death. Often, the public is unaware of acts of selflessness, courage, resilience and heroism by those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving their communities.  In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with Donna Brown, a 26-year veteran of the Tallahassee Police Department in Florida who since her retirement, has dedicated herself to chronicling acts of officer heroism. Donna is the author of the Behind and Beyond the Badge series, which helps drive negative conversations around policing toward a positive outlook on law enforcement. Volume I was published in 2017 and won two gold medals in the Florida Authors and Publishers (FAPA) International book awards contest. Donna Brown graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor of science in criminology in 1979. A few months later, she was hired by the