Law Enforcement Academy Podcast

Thom and Chris, with guest host Jim Mitchell, interview LTC Dave Grossman.  Grossman is a star within the Military and Law Enforcement fields.  His career has been the foundation of the Warrior / Sheepdog mindset.  Starting as a private in the 82nd airborne, Grossman’s credentials include authorship, time as an Army Ranger and a West Point Professor of Psychology & Military Science. Retired since 1998, Grossman now trains military, spec ops, and law enforcement 200-300 days a year. His books include On Combat and On Killing and Assassination Nation, have become required & recommended reading in many law enforcement and armed services organizations. This interview is not likely to have been like any other interview seen or heard by Grossman.  Grossman presents the subjects of homicide statistics relative to media coverage, politics, sleep deprivation, to rotating shift work, snooze alarms to energy drinks. References Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing by LTC Dave

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 Free to Share on Facebook, LinkedIn, all social media  

Thom and Chris talked with our special guest Jim Mitchell regarding his experience of going into law enforcement from the military and becoming an instructor. Thom and Chris also discuss with Jim the changes in the training mentality over time, being responsible for one’s own training, and the evolution of community-oriented policing philosophy and practical application.     References The Nine Principles of Policing by Robert Peal https://www.durham.police.uk/About-Us/Documents/Peels_Principles_Of_Law_Enforcement.pdf The Tactical Edge by Charles Remsberg https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tactical-edge-charles-remsberg/1122987495 On Combat – LTC Dave Grossman https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HHSZNN/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast

Thom and Chris discuss some common tools and techniques on dealing with difficult managers and supervisors in a law enforcement setting. Thom and Chris use their real world experience in law enforcement to demonstrate how they personally dealt with difficult supervisors over the years.   References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast

Thom and Chris discuss how supervisors and managers effectively deal with difficult employees. Thom and Chris talk about specific ways that supervisors can effectively deal with difficult employees and also how supervisors can encourage, teach, and lead employees in the mission on the department.   References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast Manager Tools - https://www.manager-tools.com  

Thom and Chris discuss how politics play a role in law enforcement community, in the discharge of the officer’s duties and how politics influence public perceptions of law enforcement. Politics will always be a part of the law enforcement culture and all officers must be able to make good ethical decisions even with the influence of politics.   There have been many discussions about this concept. Some people believe that guardian mindset is the proper mindset for law enforcement while others believe that the warrior mindset is necessary for survival. Thom and Chris discuss the tenants of both the guardian and warrior mindsets and how each has a place in the law enforcement arena.   References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast

There have been many discussions about this concept. Some people believe that guardian mindset is the proper mindset for law enforcement while others believe that the warrior mindset is necessary for survival. Thom and Chris discuss the tenants of both the guardian and warrior mindsets and how each has a place in the law enforcement arena.   References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society By Lt Colonial Dave Grossman  ISBN-10: 0316040932 / ISBN-13: 978-0316040938 The President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing: http://noblenational.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/President-Barack-Obama-Task-Force-on-21st-Century-Policing-Implementation-Guide.pdf    

Choosing law enforcement right out of school can lead to a lifelong career that is rewarding and fulfilling. Law enforcement is also a viable option for people who are looking for a career change or the second job after retirement. It takes a special person to wear the badge. Thom and Chris discuss the steps of becoming a law enforcement officer, importance of the profession to society (representing the ethnic and race makeup of the community), and some of the interesting things an officer will see out on the street.   References Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast

At some point, everyone feels stressed.  But for police officers, who are in positions of authority and making life and death decisions on a regular basis, stress can have a major negative impact on the officer’s life. One of the biggest problems for police officers is that stress can go unrecognized and unacknowledged. Officers are under constant stress and do not take the time to seek positive ways of reducing stress. Many times officers deny the stress they are experiencing for fear of being viewed as weak or not being able to handle their job. Thom and Chris discuss stress management in the law enforcement field.  Thom and Chris also discuss internal and external stressors, good and bad stress, and how to properly handle the stress through exercise and nutrition.   References Sugar Busters: https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/sugar-busters-what-it-is Crossfit: https://www.crossfit.com/ Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcas

It’s often said that no other profession demands a higher ethical standard than law enforcement.  Law enforcement officers must live in a fish bowl.  Friends, relatives, neighbors, and strangers watch every move law enforcement officers make, both on and off duty.  It is undeniable that there is a tremendous degree of expectations placed upon police officers. Thom and Chris discuss the tenants of police ethics, how officers are expected to act in the public both on and off duty, and how to make ethical decisions.  Thom and Chris also shared stories of unethical behaviors that they have seen over their law enforcement careers.   References International Association of Chiefs of Police - http://www.theiacp.org/ 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 Free to Share on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media

Supervision, management, and leadership are key fundamental principles in the public safety arena. Each level of supervision, management, and leadership has specific tasks and goals that need to be accomplished in order for the public safety agency to achieve its desired goals and outcomes. Thom and Chris discuss supervision, management, and leadership techniques in the field of law enforcement and public safety.  Thom and Chris break down line supervision including good habits of supervisors and talk intensively about climbing the promotional ladder into command positions.   Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast     Don’t forget to Subscribe and give us a rating on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn Feel Free to Share on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media

Use of force is a hotly debated topic in this country.  Police use of force can shock the conscience of society.  Law enforcement agencies are looking for ways to reduce use of force and at the same time maintaining control of the situation. Having the necessary skill sets to be able to handle the situation appropriately with minimal injuries to the officer and suspect. Thom and Chris continue to discuss use of force issues within law enforcement by focusing on physical training.  Their insightful discussion includes the evolution and prevalence of mixed martial arts and the necessity for police use of force to evolve.  Additionally, Thom and Chris discuss perceptual distortions including tunnel vision,  auditory exclusion, depth perception, and memory loss.  Training that includes the use of scenario based training based on real world force events - including scenarios when force is not used at all provide officers and security professionals skills needed make quick decisions and to win the fight when forc

Use of force is a hotly debated topic in this country.  Police use of force can shock the conscious of some in society.  Law enforcement agencies are looking for ways to reduce use of force and at the same time maintaining control of situations. Using de-escalation techniques and other alternatives (good communication skills) to higher levels of force is becoming the norm for law enforcement agencies based on the officer’s training and experience. Thom and Chris discussed the psychology (fight or flight) of the use of force, as well as, communication techniques in order to reduce use of force incidents.  Thom and Chris also discussed the importance of integrating use of force and communications training intertwined into all law enforcement training.   References Tennessee v. Garner (1985) Graham v. Conner (1989) Tony Blauer: https://blauerspear.com/     Law Enforcement Academy – www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast     Don’t forget to Subs

Neuro-linguistic programming: Neuro-linguistic programming is a collection of techniques and strategies that can be learned and lead to excellence.  NLP explores the connection between neurological processes, language and experiential behaviors that enable success. Hypnosis: Forensic Hypnosis is the use of the science of hypnosis in civil and criminal investigations where hypnosis is the instrument used to elicit information or evidence.  Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness where the mind is in a condition of amplified receptivity to suggestion and the senses are at an acute level of receptivity.  The degree or level of hypnosis varies from very light to very deep and usually include relaxation, a feeling of well-being and increased sensitivity to one’s environment Verbal Judo: a verbalization technique used by officers to de-escalate situations and maintain a level of control. Thom and Chris discuss how NLP, hypnosis and verbal judo can be used effectively in law enforcement communication.   L

Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages through verbal or nonverbal means including speech or oral communication, writing or written communication, signs, signals, and behavior. De-escalation is an important aspect of law enforcement communication.  De-escalation techniques are a necessary skill for law enforcement.  The public expects law enforcement to be able to communicate effectively and use techniques to control situations until a solution is determined. Thom and Chris discussed communication both verbal and non-verbal, active listening, and de-escalation techniques used in law enforcement.   Law Enforcement Academy - www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook - www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast  

Critical thinking means making reasoned judgments that are logical and well-thought out.  It is a way of thinking in which you don't simply accept all arguments and conclusions you are exposed to, but rather have an attitude involving questioning such arguments and conclusions.  Thom and Chris discuss, in detail, how critical thinking is used in law enforcement and even in higher education. Research demonstrates that higher education is becoming the mainstay in law enforcement in America. The courts have consistently ruled that law enforcement is demanding enough to warrant higher education as part of the hiring process. Thom and Chris discussed the importance of critical thinking and higher education in the law enforcement.   Law Enforcement Academy - www.lawenforcementacademy.org Law Enforcement Academy on Facebook - www.facebook.com/LEAPodcast  

Human Performance Improvement is a field of study related to the process of improving methodologies.  The continued improving of methodologies in the field of law enforcement creates opportunities in training and personal development for the officer.  Thom and Chris discuss, in detail, how human performance can either move the profession forward or backward by using examples of Comp Stat, UPS and other corporations in developing training protocols and other aspects of the law enforcement profession. Thom and Chris also discuss training both at the basic and advanced levels and how human performance improvement concepts are tied into all aspects of training.  Human performance is tested both academically and practically in law enforcement training.   International Society of Performance Improvement - http://www.ispi.org The International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) is a non-profit association for performance improvement professionals dedicated to improving individual, organizational, and s

In this episode, Thom and Chris provide background information on their law enforcement careers, education, and training. Both co-hosts have extensive experience in law enforcement and law enforcement training, as well as, advanced college degrees. The purposes of the podcasts are to assist law enforcement professionals in their career development and provide insight into many topics that directly affect law enforcement. Our focus is on the street officer and local police departments in providing information to continue the professional development of the officer and department. Mission Statement The Law Enforcement Academy exists to provide the highest quality training content and valuable educational services to persons or organizations in law enforcement and related fields and to stimulate thought, ideas, and discussion in furtherance of evolving law enforcement training and education focused on human performance technology and improvement.