National Police Association Podcast

On this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with former United States Secret Service Special Agent Hazel Cerra, a 25-year veteran of federal law enforcement who has successfully transitioned from protecting presidents and world leaders to protecting corporate executives in the digital age. The conversation then turns to one of today's most pr...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Rusty Myers shares the story behind his new book, Tattered: When the Blue Line Frays , which chronicles his experience of being terminated after an officer-involved arrest incident despite later being fully exonerated by South Carolina's Law Enforcement Training Council.  Myers discusses how a routine foot pur...

In this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with entrepreneur, podcaster, financial consultant, and law enforcement advocate Ken Bator. Ken shares his unique journey from banking and credit unions into the world of law enforcement advocacy and public safety media.  Betsy and Ken discuss the growing hostility toward law enforcement following Fergu...

On this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, host Betsy Brantner Smith welcomes Rebecca Lynn, creator of the popular Proud Police Wife platform, for an honest conversation about the realities of being married to a law enforcement officer.  Rebecca shares her personal journey as the spouse of a police officer for more than 20 years, explaining how difficult it was to find resources,...

In Part 2 of Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith’s conversation with former Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, the discussion dives deep into the national debate surrounding illegal immigration, sanctuary city policies, immigration enforcement, and the growing hostility faced by Border Patrol and ICE agents in American cities. Bovino challenges the political phrase “worst of the worst,” arguing that limiting...

🔎 Episode Overview In this compelling first installment, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with recently retired U.S. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, one of the most visible and outspoken leaders in modern border enforcement. Bovino reflects on his decades-long career, from humble beginnings to commanding high-profile operations across the country. The conversation explores the realities of il...

In this compelling episode, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with nationally recognized prosecutor, legal analyst, author, and speaker Wendy Patrick. With decades of courtroom experience and academic expertise in theology and human behavior, Patrick offers a unique perspective on crime, justice, and the psychological factors that shape both offenders and victims. The conversation explores the e...

In this episode, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with Sgt. Jon Rappa—an active law enforcement officer and nationally recognized instructor in interview and interrogation techniques. Rappa shares how personal tragedy shaped his career, breaks down the realities behind police questioning, and explains why communication—not coercion—is the most powerful tool officers have. Key Points Positive in...

Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with former NYPD sergeant and cold case expert Joseph Giacalone, an investigator who turned “retirement” into a second career in media, teaching, and true crime storytelling. From leading Bronx cold case homicide investigations to educating the public on the realities behind crime, Giacalone shares hard-earned insights on solving decades-old murders, working wit...

In this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with veteran journalist, author, and law-enforcement communications expert Anne Schwartz. Their conversation covers Schwartz’s extraordinary career—from crime reporter to police public information officer—and her firsthand experience covering one of the most infamous criminal cases in modern history...

In this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, host Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with Michael Letts, a longtime law enforcement officer, pastor, Army veteran, and national advocate for first responders. Letts shares the remarkable journey that led him from ministry and national weightlifting competitions to decades of service in law enforcement. He also discusses the founding of InV...

On this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with Chad Bianco, Sheriff of Riverside County, California—and current candidate for Governor of California. Before the headlines and the statewide campaign, Sheriff Bianco spent 32 years in law enforcement serving the citizens of Southern California. In this wide-ranging conversation, he shares his unex...

In this powerful episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with retired former Orlando Police Department officer Todd Herb to discuss a game-changing concept: providing first responders with elite-level sports medicine care to dramatically reduce recovery time, cut taxpayer costs, and protect morale. Todd shares how his post-law-enforcement journey...

In this powerful follow-up episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith reconnects with Deputy Sheriff Dustin Reichert, whose 2021 interview about surviving an officer-involved shooting deeply impacted listeners. But as Dustin explains, that shooting was neither the beginning nor the end of his story. It was part of something much bigger. Topics: EMDR (Eye Move...

In this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank, a constitutional sheriff who has emerged as a national voice for courageous law-enforcement leadership in the face of unprecedented political pressure. Sheriff Swank explains how Washington State’s “sanctuary” laws and legislative overreach threaten not only p...

In this episode of the National Police Association Podcast , Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith welcomes back returning guest Henry “Hollywood” Morris, founder of Support Our Shields and a leading voice in independent media defending law enforcement, religious freedom, and American values. Hollywood shares why he launched Support Our Shields at the height of the “defund the police” movement and reflects on...

In this episode of the National Police Association Podcast , Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with Milwaukee Police Department veteran, bestselling author, and podcast host Patrick O’Donnell for a wide-ranging conversation that blends real-world policing, writing, and cultural honesty. Patrick shares the story of why he became a cop, growing up in Chicago, witnessing a SWAT raid as a child,...

Sgt. Betsy Smith welcomes back Chief Scott Hughes for a wide-ranging conversation on officer safety. Together, they unpack the risks that are rising (including ambushes) and why fundamentals like seatbelts, vests, and continuous training still matter, especially in an era of short staffing, reduced proactive policing, and heightened scrutiny of law enforcement. What they cover 1) “Fundamentals win...

On this episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with firearms instructor and content creator Samantha Borgos, co-founder of Sovereign Self Defense. Samantha has built a viral social media presence by blending “edutainment”—educational content wrapped in entertainment—with videos of herself legally open carrying in everyday places like Whole Foods, Se...

Sgt. Betsy Smith sits down with longtime friend and law enforcement legend David Gonzales, whose 48-year career spans small-town patrol, Arizona DPS narcotics work, and over two decades as the presidentially appointed U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona. Gonzales shares how a 19‑year‑old kid from Flagstaff ended up patrolling one of the largest counties in America, chasing major drug traffick...

Host Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with police K9 handler Officer Tony Sanborn, president of the Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association (ALECA), for an in‑depth conversation about modern police K9 work. Tony shares why he was “called” to the profession, how K9 units have become powerful ambassadors and recruitment tools for law enforcement, and what really goes into training, deploying,...

This week, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with retired NYPD detective Vic Ferrari—author, podcaster, and Bronx native—for a candid conversation about policing’s past and present in New York City. Ferrari traces his path from a car-obsessed kid to an NYPD detective specializing in auto crime, explains what Law & Order gets closer to right than most shows, and walks through how CompStat and...

Episode Overview In this powerful episode, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with Dr. Josh McConkey, an Air Force Colonel, ER doctor, and author of The Weight Behind the Spear, to discuss leadership, service, and the future of our country. From the emergency room to the battlefield, from classrooms to campaign trails, Dr. McConkey shares how true leadership means empowering others, holding peopl...

Episode Summary In this powerful episode, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with longtime LAPD Detective and union leader Jamie McBride for an unfiltered look at the challenges and changes in modern policing. With 35 years of experience, McBride discusses everything from his early days on the beat to the recruitment crisis, declining standards, and the aftermath of 2020’s anti-police movement. T...

In this episode of the National Police Association Podcast , Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith sits down with retired federal agent Peter J. Forcelli , whose 35-year law enforcement career spans street policing in the Bronx and federal investigations. Forcelli recounts his path from a TV-inspired NYPD rookie to a respected federal agent who took on both violent criminals and a complacent justice system. T...