Colonie New York PD Training Program

Inside the Life of a Las Vegas Police OfficerJen Benjamins shares her unique journey in law enforcement.In this episode, Scott Hughes sits down with Jen Benjamins, a retired officer from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, who spent over two decades serving in one of the busiest police departments in the country. Jen shares her experiences, challenges, and insights from her storied career, including her transition to entrepreneurship with her company, Covert Blue.The Unique Challenges of Policing in VegasWith a career spanning 22 years, Jen has a wealth of experience that few can match. She discusses the distinct challenges of policing in Las Vegas, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and constant influx of tourists. "Every convention brings more people, which means more police presence is needed," Jen explains. "You can see the uptick in tourism coming in, and we'll have quite a few tens of thousands come in for Formula One."Jen points out that the locals often avoid the Strip, preferring to stay away from the chaos. She emphasizes that for many officers, the area becomes a place of work rather than leisure. Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated FieldJen's journey as a female officer in a predominantly male field is both inspiring and enlightening. "I never looked at myself as a minority; I always focused on doing my job well," she states, recounting her experiences from the academy, where she was one of only ten women. She shares stories of moving from patrol to undercover work, where her keen instincts and adaptability were put to the test. "I was intrigued by undercover work, thinking it was like theater," Jen reflects, highlighting how she embraced the challenges of her role.The Importance of TrainingNow, as the owner of Covert Blue, Jen is dedicated to training others in law enforcement. She recognizes the training gaps she faced early in her career and aims to close them for future generations. "There wasn’t much training when I started, especially for undercover work. It’s crucial for today’s officers to be well-prepared," she notes.The conversation shifts to the evolution of training programs, particularly those tailored for women in law enforcement, reflecting on how the landscape has changed since her early days in the force.A Reflection on the JourneyJen's journey through the Las Vegas Metro Police Department to entrepreneurship showcases her resilience and dedication. Her insights into the realities of policing in a high-pressure environment are invaluable not only for those in law enforcement but for anyone interested in understanding the job's complexities.

In this episode of Two Chiefs One Mic, Scott Hughes sits down with Ken and Wendee Grubbs of Bless the Badge to discuss Tactical Relationship Training and their work helping law enforcement couples strengthen their marriages.They share practical advice on communication, setting expectations for decompression after a shift, and recognizing when silence creates distance at home. Scott also reflects on lessons from his own career about making family a priority.Whether you wear the badge or love someone who does, this conversation offers tools to help you invest in your relationship.

Police departments looking for new ways to recruit should take a closer look at the DoD SkillBridge program.In this episode of Two Chiefs, One Mic, Scott Hughes talks with Mike Forehand of Police Hiring Solutions about how SkillBridge connects transitioning service members with civilian career opportunities. Mike explains what police agencies need to do to participate, how to build a useful training experience, and why giving candidates a realistic look at the profession can benefit both the service member and the department.If you’re a police leader exploring new recruiting options—or a service member considering a career in law enforcement—this conversation is a good place to start.

Adam Davis shares his remarkable journey, beginning with his experience as a police officer and the challenges he faced. After battling alcoholism and reaching a low point in his life, Adam found solace in writing. His commitment to helping others in the law enforcement community has led to the release of 11 books and a mission to positively impact officers across the country.

What happens when doing the right thing puts your career on the line?On this episode of Two Chiefs, One Mic, we sit down with Keith Grounsell, author of Leadership Under Fire, for a candid conversation about integrity, resilience, politics, and the realities of leading in law enforcement.Keith shares lessons from nearly 30 years in law enforcement, including his time as a DEA Special Agent, police chief, and international work with police forces around the world.We dive into one of the most challenging periods of his career: when Keith refused to compromise his integrity, lost his position, and was ultimately vindicated and reinstated as chief.We also talk about rebuilding a divided department, navigating politics, empowering your people, and why some of the most important leadership lessons come when doing the right thing isn't easy.This is a great conversation for current and aspiring police leaders, and anyone who has ever had their leadership tested.🎙️ Two Chiefs, One Mic

What happens when a tragedy exposes a problem with equipment first responders have relied on for decades?On this episode of Two Chiefs, One Mic, we sit down with Don Campbell, creator of the Lit Traffic Vest, an LED safety vest designed to make police officers, firefighters, and other first responders more visible while working dangerous roadway scenes.The idea came after the tragic death of Officer Dale Woods, who was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic in 2019. Don recognized that traditional reflective vests can become difficult to see against the flashing lights, headlights, and visual chaos of an emergency scene.His solution was simple: instead of relying on reflected light, create your own.Don shares how that idea became the Lit Traffic Vest, why he chose green LED lighting, what he learned through real-world testing, and why he believes better visibility can save first responders' lives.It's a conversation about tragedy, innovation, officer safety, and challenging the way we've always done things.🎙️ Two Chiefs, One Mic with Chief Mike Hawkins and retired Chief Scott Hughes.

One of the biggest decisions a community can make is hiring its next police chief.Most people see the announcement after the decision has been made. They don't see what it's like for the person stepping into a department where every relationship has to be built from scratch.Our latest episode of Two Chiefs One Mic explores that transition with Chief Adam Nielsen, who left Colorado after more than 20 years in law enforcement to become Chief of Police for Miami Township in Montgomery County, Ohio.We talked about what drew him to Ohio, the hiring process, relocating his family, earning the trust of officers and the community, and what every new chief should focus on during those critical first few months.Whether you're a current chief, someone aspiring to lead an agency, or involved in selecting your next police chief, I think you'll find some practical takeaways from this conversation.

For nearly 30 years, Scott had the privilege of serving in this profession.In our latest episode of Two Chiefs, One Mic, Mike and Scott sat down and talked about the journey - from a kid wearing a plastic badge, to a police explorer, to a patrol officer, supervisor, and eventually chief.We also talked about how much policing has changed over the years.Some of those changes have been positive.Some have created challenges we're still trying to work through.We discuss leadership, accountability, the importance of proactive policing, and what we believe may be one of the biggest issues facing law enforcement today: developing and mentoring the next generation of officers.Whether you've worn the badge for 30 years, just pinned it on, or simply care about the future of policing, we think you'll enjoy this conversation.

What happens when a healthy 26-year-old police officer suddenly goes into cardiac arrest?In this powerful episode of Two Chiefs, One Mic, Brandon Griffith shares his unbelievable survival story, the life-changing events that followed, and how it led to the creation of Griffith Blue Heart, a nonprofit focused on saving lives through advanced medical training, technology, and advocacy for first responders.Chief Scott Hughes and Chief Mike Hawkins sit down with Brandon to discuss:Surviving sudden cardiac arrest at just 26 years oldThe critical role of immediate medical responseWhy law enforcement officers need better medical preparednessAEDs, training, and technology that can save livesTurning trauma into purpose through Griffith Blue HeartLessons for officers, agencies, and families everywhere

This episode explores innovative law enforcement training methods, focusing on decision-making, skills practice, and confidence building through tactical decision games and scenario-based roll call training. Guests share empirical findings and practical insights on improving the effectiveness of police briefings.