Trust The Badge

Sarah Shendy joins the podcast to discuss her career in law enforcement and the importance of mental health in public safety. She shares her perspective on officer wellness, the emotional challenges of the job, community trust, and how law enforcement can better support both officers and the people they serve.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-shendy-m-s-b95253178/

Buy the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hIJbItoIn this episode, I interview Chief Thomas Wetzel, a veteran law enforcement leader with nearly 40 years of experience, to discuss his career, the current challenges facing policing, and his new book A Cop and a Coffee Cup. Chief Wetzel shares powerful insights on leadership, recruitment struggles, officer wellness, and the importance of community-focused policing. This conversation offers a real, behind-the-scenes look at modern law enforcement and what needs to change moving forward.

In this episode, I briefly explain my thoughts on the recent Minneapolis ICE shooting.

In this episode of Trust the Badge, we sit down with Mr. Dave Potvin, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and former federal law enforcement officer with more than 40 years of service. From his time in the Green Berets to serving as a Border Patrol Agent, ICE Deportation Officer, and Assistant Attaché in South Africa, Mr. Potvin brings a rare, full-spectrum perspective on immigration enforcement, national security, and public trust.He discusses what motivated his career in service, the realities behind the work that the public rarely sees, and how politics and misconceptions shape the way agencies like ICE and Border Patrol are viewed. The conversation explores leadership, professionalism, cultural understanding, and what it really takes to build trust between enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.Tune in for an honest, grounded look at public service from someone who’s lived it at every level.

Please visit teresakondek.com to learn more about Officer Charles Kondek, as mentioned in this episode.In this episode of Trust the Badge, we sit down with Officer Larry Bird of the Tarpon Springs Police Department. Serving since 2007, Officer Bird shares the story of how a former baseball coach inspired his path into law enforcement, the challenges he faced early in his career, and the lessons that kept him resilient. Now assigned to the Cops and Kids Youth Center, Officer Bird works directly with young people in Tarpon Springs, building connections that go beyond policing and creating positive relationships that last. In our conversation, he opens up about what makes community trust possible, why listening is one of the most powerful tools an officer can have, and how small actions—like returning a stolen bike—can make a big impact. Whether you’re interested in the personal side of policing, the role of youth outreach, or the importance of trust between officers and the community, this episode offers a candid and inspiring look inside the work of Officer Larry Bird.

With over 36 years of law enforcement experience, Chief Knowles shares his journey from municipal to campus policing, the unique challenges and resources available at a university setting, and the various programs UFPD has implemented to build trust and ensure safety. Key topics include the importance of transparency, innovative training programs, the role of technology, and collaborative initiatives with students. Chief Knowles also discusses the benefits of programs like the co-responder model for mental health crises and how UFPD manages community complaints. This episode provides insights into effective campus policing and fostering a safer, more connected community.

Kathleen Dias, a monthly columnist for PoliceOne and the voice behind 'The Rural Badge' on social media joins this episode. Ms. Dias discusses her journey into writing about rural policing, shedding light on the challenges faced by officers in remote areas, from funding issues to safety concerns. She also shares personal anecdotes and research findings that highlight the significant risks and obstacles these officers encounter. This episode is for anyone interested in understanding the often-overlooked aspects of rural policing. Tune in for an insightful conversation and learn more about the vital role these officers play in ensuring community safety. Below are the links of Ms. Dias on Police1 and Linkedin. Police1: https://www.police1.com/Kathleen-Dias/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kathleen-dias-b35468208

In this episode, retired Riverside, Illinois Police Chief Tom Weitzel joins us to discuss his 37-year career in law enforcement, the innovative approaches to community policing during his tenure, and the multifaceted challenges facing the police profession today. Chief Weitzel delves into the impact of legislation, the defund the police movement, and the environment post-George Floyd, focusing on issues like recruitment, officer morale, and training. He also shares personal insights on leadership, the importance of community engagement, and the repercussions of the recent Sonya Massey case. Tune in for an in-depth conversation on the current and future state of policing. If you would like to contact Chief Weitzel, you can reach him by email: [email protected] Or by X (formerly Twitter): @ChiefWeitzel

Join us as Officer Wesley Hartkemeyer from Wisconsin delves into his journey and the revolutionary self-reporting system he co-founded, Ireport. Designed to improve the efficiency and community engagement in modern policing, Hartkemeyer explains how Ireport enables citizens to self-report incidents, freeing up police resources and fostering better relations. He also discusses his unexpected path to law enforcement during the rise of the BLM movement, the challenges faced by police today and the importance of technology in bridging gaps between the police and the community. Learn more about this pioneering system and how it aims to transform policing for the better in this episode. For more information and to try the demo, visit ireport.us

Join us as retired Lafayette Police Chief Patrick Flannelly shares his 27-year career in law enforcement, from patrol officer to chief. Learn about his diverse roles—from SWAT team leader to narcotics task force member—and his commitment to community outreach and officer wellness. Now the host of the Coptimizer Podcast, Flannelly discusses the evolving relationship between police and communities, the impact of technology, and his advice for current and aspiring officers. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the challenges and rewards of policing. You can find the Coptimizer Podcast on any streaming platform.