Policing Matters

The demands of policing can make fitness feel like an impossible task. Shift work, overtime, court appearances, long hours in a patrol car and family responsibilities often leave officers struggling to prioritize their health. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Brandon Holder, strength and conditioning coordinator for the Fairfax County Police Department’s WellFit program, about realistic approaches to fitness, injury prevention, nutrition and wellness that help officers stay healthy, resilient and ready for duty throughout their careers.

Holder oversees physical readiness initiatives for one of the nation's largest police departments and works directly with officers facing the unique physical challenges of the profession. He discusses why consistency matters more than perfection, how short workouts can deliver meaningful results, common mistakes officers make after the academy and what agencies can do to build a culture that supports long-term wellness and career longevity.

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.

Mental health crises are among the most challenging incidents law enforcement agencies face. Whether it's a barricaded subject, a hostage situation or a person in severe emotional distress, negotiators and commanders often have to make critical decisions with limited information and high stakes. To help agencies navigate those situations, the National Tactical Officers Association recently released guidance on integrating behavioral health advisors into crisis negotiation teams.

In this week's episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with NTOA Executive Director Thor Eells to discuss the new policy and the role behavioral health advisors can play during critical incidents. Eells explains how these specialists can help negotiators better understand behavior, assess risk and shape communication strategies while supporting commanders with real-time insights that may improve decision-making and help preserve life.

Click here for more information on the NTOA.

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About our sponsor
American Military University supports law enforcement professionals with flexible online programs designed around the demands of the job. Whether you’re looking to grow your own career or support the development of your officers, the Everyday Heroes Grant provides eligible first responders and their families with a 20% tuition grant. Students may also be eligible to transfer up to 45 credits for academy training, prior education, and professional experience, helping them start ahead and finish sooner. Learn more at PublicSafetyAtAMU.com.

A decade ago, public safety agencies interested in drones were largely figuring things out on their own. The technology was limited, policies were still being developed and few departments had experience to draw from. Today, thousands of public safety agencies operate drone programs and Drone as First Responder deployments are growing at an unprecedented pace. As agencies move beyond tactical drone operations toward proactive, 911-driven response models, early adopters have identified critical lessons on community trust, officer safety, staffing efficiency and program implementation.

 

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, guest host Rob Lawrence sits down with Charles Werner, founder of DRONERESPONDERS and one of the leading voices in public safety drone operations, to discuss how DFR programs are transforming policing and emergency response. Drawing on decades of public safety experience, Werner shares what agencies need to know about building community trust, improving officer safety and preparing for the next generation of public safety aviation.

About our sponsor

Flock 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. Watch episodes on YouTube or tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to view.

Many officers have encountered child-to-parent violence. Few have received formal training on how to recognize it.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with retired Oak Park Sergeant Rasul Freelain about the years of escalating abuse that preceded the infamous Bali suitcase murder. Drawing on his experience investigating the case and the research behind his forthcoming book, “When Lambs Become Wolves: The Chilling Case of Sheila von Wiese-Mack,” Freelain explains why child-to-parent violence often goes unnoticed, how systems can miss critical warning signs and what law enforcement can do when a parent becomes the victim.

Freelain served as a detective, patrol officer and supervisor connected to the Mack family case. He shares the warning signs he observed, the challenges officers faced when trying to intervene and how the case inspired his ongoing work training law enforcement agencies to recognize child-to-parent violence and abuse.

About our sponsor
American Military University supports law enforcement professionals with flexible online programs designed around the demands of the job. Whether you’re looking to grow your own career or support the development of your officers, the Everyday Heroes Grant provides eligible first responders and their families with a 20% tuition grant. Students may also be eligible to transfer up to 45 credits for academy training, prior education, and professional experience, helping them start ahead and finish sooner. Learn more at PublicSafetyAtAMU.com.

Police agencies are under pressure to be transparent, but too often their public storytelling swings between stiff press releases and staged social media moments. Zach Hamilton believes there is a better way.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Hamilton, founder of Red Watch Productions and a Michigan public information officer, about "The Shift," a documentary series that follows officers through the realities of patrol.

A former Hollywood visual effects artist who worked on productions including "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" and "Cry Macho," Hamilton shares how agencies can use authentic video storytelling to build trust, show the human side of policing and give communities a clearer view of what officers actually do between the headlines.

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.