Policing Matters

Policing Matters podcast host and deputy chief  Jim Dudley  (ret.) paid a visit to Axon Week 2025 to get an exclusive look at some of the revolutionary advancements in public safety technology and the thought leaders and technology experts making them happen. In this special episode, sponsored by Axon, Dudley sits down with Jeff Kunins, chief product officer and chief technology officer of Axon, t...

Cyber attacks against public safety agencies are rising, with 324 confirmed globally in 2024, including 25 complete system shutdowns. The Public Safety Threat Alliance, established by Motorola Solutions, is a cyber threat Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO) recognized by CISA that provides actionable intelligence to public safety agencies across the globe to improve their resilien...

For police officers, access to the right information at the right time is critical. Most operate in a sea of data from across public safety systems — radio dialogue, streaming video from fixed, mobile and body cameras, location data — but it can be hard to identify and analyze what’s most important in the moment. New devices and applications of artificial intelligence are simplifying technology fo...

Bringing 911 intelligence directly into real-time crime centers can help expedite police response when children go missing, retail thefts occur or shots are fired. Advances in technology are making it possible for RTCC analysts to review real-time transcripts and translations of emergency calls, AI-generated call summaries and videos or images from community members. This situational awareness hel...

In the wake of 2020’s seismic shifts in public perception, police agencies across the country are reevaluating their strategies for preventing crime. While reactive policing still dominates the landscape, there’s growing recognition that proactive strategies — built on research, precision and community engagement — offer a more sustainable path forward. In this episode of the Policing Matters podc...

With over 240 million 911 calls made each year, a faster response time to a call can make a consequential difference. Drone as a First Responder programs allow 911 call handlers to immediately dispatch drones in response to emergency calls, streaming video of the scene back to the command center and to officers in the field so that they arrive better prepared. Drones purpose-built for public safet...

Paperwork is a necessary reality of police work, but a handful of public safety agencies are introducing innovative new technologies to streamline how this work is done and help maximize the time officers are able to spend on the beat. The Los Angeles Police Department is one of the first major police departments in the U.S. to adopt a mobile-first vision for policing, enabling its officers to per...

A challenge in emergency response is often the gap between the rapidly evolving event and the information available to authorities. By establishing secure channels for community partners to share vital data including emergency contacts, floor plans and security camera livestreams, authorities are able to gain enhanced real-time visibility. This bridging of information enables more precise and effe...

Technology alone won’t transform policing — but how you use it will. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley explores the mindset shift that’s helping law enforcement agencies maximize impact: using layered technology, shared intelligence and integrated systems to solve crimes faster and respond more effectively — no matter the department’s size. He talks with two leaders...

Crime statistics are meant to help police departments identify trends, allocate resources and shape effective public safety strategies. But what if the national crime data we rely on — like FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) and NIBRS — is incomplete, outdated or misleading? In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Jeff Asher — CIA-trained crime analyst, former N...

Every officer knows traffic is dangerous — but most don't realize how fast everything can change. Bob Bemis didn’t either, until March 27, 2015. Responding to a vehicle fire, he was struck by a swerving car, crushed and left fighting to walk, see and live again. Today, the retired Pennsylvania State Police sergeant is on a mission to change how agencies prepare officers for roadside dangers. In th...

When we talk about officer safety, our minds often go straight to firearms and physical confrontations — but one of the deadliest threats doesn’t come from an armed suspect. It comes from traffic. Every year, roadway incidents rank among the top causes of line-of-duty deaths for law enforcement. And while the risk is constant, many agencies still approach this hazard with outdated training, incons...

When a man called 911 in 2015 to report his girlfriend had been kidnapped and he’d been drugged and tied up, police didn’t believe him. The story was too strange, too cinematic — bearing uncanny resemblance to the plot of the movie “Gone Girl.” But the real twist was how wrong law enforcement got it. This episode of the Policing Matters podcast revisits the harrowing true story of Denise Huskins a...

Communities across America strive for safer streets and stronger connections between police and residents, but few achieve transformative success. Once labeled the nation's most violent city per capita, San Pablo, California, dramatically reversed its trajectory by combining targeted technology investments with proactive community engagement. Through strategic use of automated license plate reader...

Crime scene investigation isn’t just the stuff of primetime TV — it’s grueling, unpredictable work that demands a tough stomach, a sharp eye and a commitment to truth. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Gabrielle Wimer, a forensic specialist for the City of Ventura, California, and host of the podcast, The Walls Do Talk . With over 13 years of crime sce...

Women remain significantly underrepresented in law enforcement, especially in leadership roles. But proactive mentorship, targeted training, and authentic conversations about career and family balance can change that dynamic. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with LAPD Captain Julie Rodriguez about her journey from frontline officer to influential leader, high...

Whether responding to a medical emergency, coordinating disaster relief or ensuring officer safety in high-risk situations, public safety radio systems provide mission-critical communications that enable first responders to fulfill their missions. What does it take to ensure these systems remain functional, interoperable and adequately funded? This special episode of the Policing Matters podcast,...

Police officers face immense physical and mental demands on the job. Strength, endurance and overall fitness aren’t just optional — they’re essential for peak performance and long-term health. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks physical fitness with Dru Mejico, a 13-year law enforcement veteran with the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department and the fou...

Police work is more than just a job — it’s a reality that shapes those who serve. And when crime fiction is penned by someone who’s lived the job, walked the beat and investigated cases, it carries a different weight. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Dave Case, a retired Chicago Police Department lieutenant who now serves as a police commander in Brid...

From police pursuits to community interactions, " On Patrol Live " on REELZ offers an unprecedented, real-time look at law enforcement in action. Unlike scripted crime dramas, this docuseries captures the unpredictable nature of policing, offering transparency and education for the public while fostering appreciation for officers’ split-second decision-making. In this episode of the Policing Matte...

Leading a law enforcement agency is no easy task — especially in today’s challenging climate. But Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County, South Carolina , has cracked the code. Now in his eighth term, Lott oversees nearly 900 personnel with an annual budget of $48 million. His leadership has earned him national recognition — and built a department where officers stay, without the recruitment struggl...

The use of force by law enforcement remains one of the most scrutinized and debated aspects of policing. While officers receive extensive training on force applications, public perception and policy shifts often reshape how they can respond to threats. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Joshua Coleman, vice president of the California Force Instructors Ass...

In an era where technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, law enforcement agencies are grappling with how to integrate new tools effectively. Drones, real time crime centers, artificial intelligence and digital forensics are reshaping the landscape of policing, offering agencies the ability to process vast amounts of data, enhance situational awareness and improve officer decision-making. B...

  Police recruitment and retention have become two of the biggest challenges facing law enforcement today. Agencies across the country struggle to attract qualified candidates and keep them engaged, while leadership gaps and cultural stagnation exacerbate the issue. But one department is proving that building a strong agency isn’t about flashy incentives or temporary hiring sprees — it’s about cul...

  The debate over police officer education requirements has been ongoing for decades, but today, it's more pressing than ever. With some states mandating a college degree for police officers, agencies face law enforcement hiring challenges, balancing police recruitment needs with preparing officers for the evolving demands of the profession. Does a college degree for police officers produce better...