The Modern Cop

Good things come to those who wait. After working opposite schedules for more than a year, I was finally able to sit down with Cat AKA @pewpewgoddess to talk about her experiences as a woman in law enforcement, an FTO and how she has come back swinging after multiple injuries. From broken hands to a back injury that would have sidelined most people, Cat has refused to throw in the towel.  Our bour...

Detention Officer Ursula came onto the show with my first return guest - Officer Kristen to talk about The Tactical Games where they came in first and third place, respectively, of the women's intermediate class. A score of less than 2% separated them.   Ursula gave both of us an education on what life was like for our DOs and COs, all while we drank an entire bottle of Smoke Wagon barrel proof bo...

This interview should have lasted for five hours. I had the privilege of speaking with author, journalist, and veteran Toby Harnden today about his life and experiences across the globe. After serving ten years in the Royal Navy, Toby went on to be a reporter covering terrorism, strife and insurgency in places such as Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Afghanistan and Jerusalem. In his experiences,...

In my best phone sex voice, I talk about the state of the channel and what's ahead for 2022.    29 episodes with almost 8000 downloads! Thank you!

Get in, loser. We're hunting Bonnie and Clyde.   This week's History Time covers famed Texas lawman Frank Hamer and his task of stopping Bonnie and Clyde. I talk about some of the differences from the film The Highwaymen and what actually went down.   I also talk for a bit about the #goodcopsgiveaway. I've been wanting to do a GAW since I started the podcast, and I decided there was no time like t...

Last week, I was fortunate enough to have Mike the Cop and Chris Fisher in studio with me to talk about their careers, their new Ten7Project, and the massive impact they've made in terms of law enforcement and the use of social media. Many may not know that Chris was the original creator of Survive the Streets - A Page for Cops. Of course, so many of us know Mike the Cop from the good old days of...

After awkwardly losing internet connection for about forty seconds (thanks a lot, Century Link), I was finally able to interview Officer Ashley Smith about her experiences as a female officer and competitive body builder. Ashley had great advice for incoming female officers that you might not hear otherwise. Our time was short today, but don't worry, Ashley will be back on the Blue Line Millennial...

I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to speak with Liv, the creative genius behind Thin Blue Scribble and the first foreign officer I've had the chance to interview. Liv schooled me on how our Canadian brothers and sisters work, and talked to me about her comic strip, Thin Blue Scribble. Thin Blue Scribble is one more way that a good cop is trying to give a glimpse behind the badge. Liv'...

Every so often you meet someone who makes you think "wow...I need to do more with my life." Kristen is no exception. Kristen began her career as a forensics tech, and then became a sworn officer for the same agency. I asked Kristen to educate me on what being a female officer was like, and what challenges she's faced. Kristen then dove into her experiences with the Police Unity Tour - a grueling b...

Within five minutes of talking with TTPOA reps Derrick and Branden, I knew this was going to be a fun conversation - and we had a name for this episode.  I had the pleasure of sitting down (via Zoom) with Derrick and Branden of the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association. Derrick and Branden have each spent well over a decade (nearly two!) as SWAT officers in Texas. Derrick and Brandon both hav...

I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with USMC vet and 22-year police officer Chris Palmer from 532 Insight last night. We cracked open a new bottle of Horse Soldiers Bourbon and chased the rabbit as far as we could for three hours. Chris' police career has encompassed patrol, NET, and SWAT. Chris now serves as a training officer for the new recruits coming through the academy. Chris has som...

Few specialty units carry an infamous reputation like CRASH (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums). CRASH existed from 1979 to 2000. During it's lifespan, CRASH officers were embattled in cover-ups, murders, and the Rampart Scandal. While many CRASH officers were doing the right work for the right reasons, their commitment to making LA a safer city was overshadowed by controversy. Units lik...

In the land of social media, meme pages exist as the light and laughter in an otherwise dark and depressing world filled with negativity. Ten Eight Memes is no exception. Scrolling through my feed, I rarely come across one of Ten Eight's memes without thinking "Oh good, someone else knows exactly what that's like!" Today, I got to talk with Ten Eight Memes about his life and work and overall philo...

"Are you allergic to anything?" The doctor asked, hovering over Scott as they raced down the hospital hallway. The harsh white lights of the ER passed over Scott like a film reel.  "Yeah," Scott groaned, "bullets." In July of 2000, Scott Tipton responded to a DV call for service. Some deadbeat was stalking his girlfriend who had just broken up with him. When Scott confronted him, he was met with f...

On today's episode, I enjoy some damn fine bourbon with Dave Norman, the owner and lead instructor for TruKinetics. Dave spent 23 years with the Phoenix Police Department where he worked patrol, fugitive apprehension (FAID) and spent 13 years honing his skills as a SWAT operator. Dave and I talk about the job, experiences, and his training philosophy.    Find Dave on Instagram @Trukinetics or onli...

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with retired LAPD Detective Moses Castillo today. Moses and I discussed his time with the LAPD which included eight years in patrol and a short stint with CRASH. Moses' time with the LAPD was primarily spent as a detective investigating sexually motivated crimes and crimes against children, to include child homicide. Moses also helps me understand the frustrati...

I had the good fortune of sitting down with Jason Schecterle in April to discuss his life. Growing up in Phoenix, I was very familiar with Jason's story. Jason survived being rear-ended in his patrol car at over 100 miles per hour. Jason's car caught on fire, and caused 3rd and 4th degree burns to over 40% of his body. Jason not only survived the horrific collision, but returned to work as a homic...

I sat down and had some bourbon with Erica Gaines, founder and CEO of TacMobility - a non-profit organization dedicated to helping first responders navigate their emotional, mental and physical stress. Erica dropped some statistical knowledge bombs on me, and we had a few good laughs in the process. We also argued about what a Nalgene bottle is.   Make sure you stretch those hammies before taking...

Today I sit down with Andrew, 10 year veteran law enforcement officer and owner of Austere TacMed. We talk about life, police work, and running a small business. We also go down the rabbit hole of talking about World War Two for a minute as Andrew's uncle was one of the Doolittle Raiders.   The non-profit shoutout today goes to the Brian Terry Foundation and the Danger Zone Auction.    https://www...

On today's episode, I sit down with the good vibes dude Clark Impastato to talk about his Forrest Gump-like career which has spanned SEAL Team 5, the 19th Special Forces Group, private military contracting, and the seedy underworld of undercover police narcotics operations. Clark and I have more than a few good laughs on this episode as he lays out his life as a badass nomad.  Find Clark on Instag...

On today's episode, I sit down (via telephone) with Justin, a 16 year police veteran and owner of MilMak Blades. In this episode, we talk about driving YOUR career in the direction YOU want it to go. We also talk about Justin's work as a knife maker, and as as the host of the Man Minutes Podcast. Justin also gives a great shout out to this week's non-profit organization Gold Star Teen Adventures....

On today's episode, Kevin interviews Arizona State University Professor Mike Scott, director of the Center for Problem Oriented Policing. They discuss how outside-the-box solutions can be used to solve problems faced by police.   Check out popcenter.asu.edu for more information. 

In this episode, I sit down for a phone interview with Lieutenant Kevin Kemmerling of the Tulare County Sheriff's Office (California) and discuss his work as a public safety diver and as the founder of Black Mask Divers, an organization seeking to bring equipment, training and recognition to the unsung heroes of swift water/dive rescue.   As Lt. Kemmerling says, "dive safe, dive often." www.blackm...

On this episode, Kevin sits down with Pinal County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Matt Thomas (@deputy_onetime) to discuss his career which has ranged from patrol to traffic enforcement to undercover narcotics and SWAT, as well as current events. Matt was promoted to Chief Deputy in 2016 when Sheriff Mark Lamb was elected.  Shout out to The 100 Club of Arizona and Tunnels to Towers! Both organizati...

On today's episode, I sit down with Steve, who transferred from his Northern California department where he was a SWAT operator out to Arizona. Steve and I discuss his decision to become a police officer and what it's like to be the new guy all over again.   Please note, there was a software issue during the recording of this episode. As such, there may be a dip in sound quality about five minutes...