Law Enforcement Academy Podcast

Thom and Chris interview Gary Taylor - Director of Training, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, on line of duty deaths and police suicides to include the discussions of organizations like the 200 Club and the Below 100 initiative. Director Taylor discusses the history of the Below 100 initiative and 200 Club and what is currently being done to reduce office death. Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook www.lawenforcementacademy.org Below 100: https://www.below100.org/ 200 Club:...

Thom Safrin and Chris Findley continue their interview of Jerry Findley (Chris’s father). Some specific cases were discussed which highlight the uses of forensic science techniques and technology. References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast Thomas Safrin Twitter – https://twitter.com/thomassafrin

Thom Safrin and Chris Findley interview Jerry Findley (Chris's father) and discuss coming from one of the first Crime Scene Units in Georgia. Starting in the police dept in 1971, the then labeled 'Identification Unit' evolved a long way from simply taking photographs. Breaking ground for the organization into the areas of collection of evidence, lab work and then later DNA, blood spatters and more advanced methods we know as Forensic Science today. References Law Enforcement Academy –...

Hosts Thom Safrin and Chris Findley further discuss court cases clarifying Use of Force. The discussion furthers the ideas that dictate law enforcement today inside the United States. Thom and Chris dive deeper into this episode in this Fourth Amendment issue and discussion includes topics such as mental disabilities, officer articulation, and the stories inside of those additional cases which expound into other landmark cases and make more clear the principles and situation variables....

Hosts Thom Safrin and Chris Findley discuss the landmark use of force cases and the ideas principles that dictate procedural law today in the United States. Graham v. Connor gave us the objective reasonableness standard. Thom and Chris contrast Tennessee v. Garner and point out misunderstandings that some officers, and even trainers, may have. Thom and Chris also discuss officer safety and discuss Terry v. Ohio and its relatedness to use of force. They further discuss and exchange some humor...

Thom and Chris interview Frank Crotty (retired law enforcement Captain) on the ins and outs of overseas contracting work for law enforcement. Frank and Thom share their personal experiences working overseas and the challenges and rewards of contract work. References Frank Crotty – LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklin-frank-crotty-525bb769/ Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast Thomas Safrin –...

Thom and Chris recorded this episode while at Suntrust Park to watch the Atlanta Braves play baseball. Thom and Chris briefly discuss some issues related to personal security that should be considered when going to a sporting event or other large venue where crowds gather. References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast Thomas Safrin – Twitter – https://twitter.com/thomassafrin Thomas Safrin – LinkedIn...

Thom and Chris discuss five topics that can impact smaller law enforcement agencies. The five topics were budgeting, small town politics, unique situations (everyone knows somebody), officer morale, and officer training. References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast Thomas Safrin – Twitter – https://twitter.com/thomassafrin Thomas Safrin – LinkedIn –https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomassafrin/ Chris Findley –...

In this episode, Thom and Chris discuss how technology impacts everyday life in law enforcement. The discussion includes topics of social media (Facebook), body cameras, GPS, Facial recognition, and many more. Thom and Chris provide a general overview of these topics with the contents of this episode becoming a series. References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast Thomas Safrin – Twitter –...

Thom and Chris discuss how a college educated police officer can impact law enforcement and the community. Thom and Chris discuss an article written by Dr. Rebecca Paynich that researches the connection between a college education and better communication skills, more tolerance with citizen interactions, deeper understanding of the criminal; justice system, a better understanding of civil rights, and less likely to use deadly force with police officers. References Paynich, R. (2009). The...

Hosts Thom Safrin and Chris Findley interview Captain Gary Taylor, Director of Training and Recruiting, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and discuss police recruiting and retention. This episode asks the questions “How do we gain the right people? And then how do we keep them.” Topic discussion includes: Thinking outside of your niche & marketing. Department vision and how a “sense of community” is a factor. Leadership is about people; management is about things (resources). Challenge for...

Thom and Chris discuss the process to aid both those interviewing and those hiring. Personal stories lead to good discussion points. Discussion Including: research into agencies; application process tips; the interview process and physical fitness assessment exams; polygraphs and more. Listen to and consider the perspectives of concerning budgets, the individual agency culture, and the community (expectations) all play a part in the influences affecting decisions in the modern career...

Thom and Chris, along with guest host Jim Mitchell, continue talking fear management with Coach Tony Blauer. “No matter how good physically you are, it doesn’t change how you feel emotionally.” – Coach Tony Blauer It all begins with a confrontation with fear. Having an Armorer’s level approach for self defense and understand the psychological dynamics of violence and its effects. Every time we change the level of fear there is a potential impact to the level of performance References...

Hosts Thom Safrin, Chris Findley and Guest Host Jim Mitchell interview Coach Tony Blauer. Quite the entertaining personality, Tony Blauer has become a pillar to many in the field, training law enforcement & military in self-defense. From training a single student in self-defense, in 1980, Blauer spring-boarded from the idea of what he calls “Startle Flinch” to a revolutionary approach in new training methods. Today, Reverse Situation Engineering and real-world-scenario observation play a...

In this episode Thom, Chris and Jim continue the discussion of the ideals of Peel's Principles and their modern day law enforcement application. Links to the principles articles discussing Peel’s principles. Discussion begins with principle number six and includes the topic of Physical Force. With plenty of great reads to research on these topics further. References Sir Robert Peel's Principles PDF: https://www.durham.police.uk/About-Us/Documents/Peels_Principles_Of_Law_Enforcement.pdf...

In this episode Thom, Chris, and Jim discuss the classic ideals of Peel's Principles from 1829 and how they apply in 2018. Don't expect cookie-cutter answers...this is a much more cerebral topic than most. The guys refer to models such as Community Policing and Problem Solving, the Sara model and Broken Windows Theory. For additional research, books and how they relate to specific principles are mentioned including: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin and even The Prince by...

Hosts Thomas Safrin, Chris Findley continue their interview with retired Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman. In this podcast, Grossman brings a unique historical outlook into perspective. An outlook of society at large and the challenges faced by law enforcement today. This episode of the Law Enforcement Academy Podcast continues to address the subjects of Lawless Mindsets, Sleep Deprivation and other subjects making an impact on individuals. And his timely perspective on the ways to approach...

In this episode Thom and Chris team up with Jim Mitchell to speak with former academy student Josh Barker. Josh discusses what he's done since attending academy, six years ago, and provides insight into his initial training and the value of additional education and certifications. References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn Feel...