Critical Dispatch

In this final episode of the IACP Critical Dispatch series, host Jeff Pegues speaks with Joe Petito, father of Gabby Petito, and Lt. Mark Wynn (Ret.), a subject matter expert for IACP on the topic of gender-based violence and lethality assessment training for law enforcement officers. They examine the warning signs of domestic violence and the necessity of officer training. Drawing from real-life...

Journalist and host Jeff Pegues continues his wide-ranging conversation with Joe Petito, father of Gabby Petito. In this episode, Joe shares lessons learned through personal tragedy, reflects on advocacy for missing persons of all backgrounds, and discusses the ongoing work to combat domestic violence and support survivors. Learn about the realities behind the headlines and the practical steps any...

Nearly four years after Gabby Petito’s tragic murder, her story continues to spark national conversations about domestic violence, accountability, and hope. In this first episode in a powerful series regarding domestic violence, host Jeff Pegues sits down for an exclusive, in-depth interview with Gabby’s father, Joe Petito on Critical Dispatch from the International Association of Chiefs of Police...

In this gripping episode of Critical Dispatch , host Jeff Pegues sits down with Trooper Julian Mapes to recount a harrowing night on Interstate 20 in Georgia. What began as a routine field training shift quickly escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a foot chase, and a life-or-death encounter when Trooper Mapes was shot while apprehending a fleeing suspect. Hear firsthand how training, split-second...

Tune in to Critical Dispatch as we explore the vital role of community policing in building trust and solving crimes. Learn from the Boston Police Department about the importance of police presence and community relations in fostering safer neighborhoods. Discover their innovative approaches to community engagement and the significant impact of proactive policing. Don't miss this compelling discus...

Discover the unique intersection of cardiology and law enforcement in this compelling episode of Critical Dispatch . Host Jeff Pegues interviews Jonathan Enriquez, MD a board-certified cardiologist and part-time police officer in the patrol division in Roeland Park, Kansas (within the Kansas City metro area), as they delve into the alarming health challenges faced by law enforcement professionals....

Chief Daniel Oates (Ret.) and Chief of Detectives Phil Pulaski (Ret.) talk with host Jeff Pegues revealing the 6 crucial steps law enforcement leaders must take during mass shooting investigations. Learn how to: Determine who leads the investigation Build an effective response team Manage multiple crime scenes Handle evidence properly Coordinate with hospitals and EMS Ensure operational security G...

A man unleashed a torrent of bullets in a mass violence incident killing three individuals in Farmington, New Mexico, in May 2023. The 18-year-old killer fired into homes and cars as he walked down the streets.  In the latest episode of the Critical Dispatch podcast, Chief Steve Hebbe and Deputy Chief Kyle Dowdy of the Farmington, NM Police Department speak to host Jeff Pegues and pull back t...

In the aftermath of the brutal attack on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day that killed 14 people and injured dozens more, host Jeff Pegues speaks with Ronal Serpas, former Superintendent of Police in New Orleans. Although believed to be acting alone, the assailant is said to have been inspired by ISIS. Serpas explains the flow of information from federal and state levels to local police departmen...

There have been 83 school shootings in 2024 with the latest being the shooting in Madison, Wisconsin where a 15-year-old girl killed a teacher and a student, and also injured six others. Since the pandemic when schools were largely shut down, there has been a stark increase in mass shootings nationwide, with over 500 mass shootings across the country, as of December 25 according to Gun Violence Ar...

70% of agencies surveyed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) are experiencing increased difficulty in recruiting new officers compared to five years ago. The disturbing trend is most pronounced in the Midwest (81%) and the Northeast (97%). The New York City Police Department alone saw 4,000 officers leave in 2022, the highest number since the September 11 attacks. &nbs...

In an exclusive interview with host Jeff Pegues, Chief Doug Shoemaker (Ret.), and former member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Executive Board and one of the leaders of the working group that revised the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, delineates why for the first time in 67 years the  Policing Code of Ethics  has been revised, and the importance behind the n...

In the aftermath of two assasination attempts of former President Donald Trump, former Seattle Police Chief, Boston Police Commissioner, and Massachusetts Secretary of Security Kathleen O'Toole analyzes the critical role local, county, and state police forces play when complementing federal agencies for the security of Presidential candidates. Then, crowd behavior and policing expert Professor Cli...