Blue Grit Podcast: The Voice of Texas Law Enforcement

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On this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, Host Tyler Owen and TMPA Field Representative Robby Campbell sit down with Polk County Judge candidate Larry Pfeil—not a courtroom judge, but the role that serves as the County’s chief executive. 

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Pfeil breaks down his vision for restoring leadership, prioritizing public safety, and driving real economic growth in Polk County. From supporting law enforcement to making decisions that impact every resident, this race is about who will lead the county forward.

This isn’t politics as usual—it’s about taking Polk County back.

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This week, we’re exposing what’s really happening in Minneapolis. Minnesota FOP Spokesperson Kevin Rofidal joins Force Science’s Brian Baxter and Von Kliem for a hard-hitting breakdown of post-2020 policing—what changed, what didn’t, and what the public still gets wrong.

We dig into burned precincts, shattered morale, and neighborhoods left without a true police presence. Then we move into the reality of split-second decisions: distorted body-cam angles, “apparent threat” in the eyes of the law, de-escalation mandates that don’t match real human performance, and the myths surrounding “officer-created jeopardy.”

We also pull back the curtain on the latest ICE operations—doxxing maps, non-cooperation, political pressure, and how all of it impacts officer safety and community stability.

If you want a straight-from-the-source look at modern policing in Minneapolis, this is the episode.

Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who thinks they know the full story.

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A rural county’s safety net is only as strong as the deputies willing to hold the line.

In Episode 128, we sit down with TMPA Regional Attorney and former Polk County District Attorney Lee Hon alongside TMPA Field Representative Robby Campbell to break down the growing controversy surrounding Polk County leadership and its impact on law enforcement.

At the center of the discussion is Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy and the debate over Texas Senate Bill 22, a bill intended to help rural agencies raise salaries and remain competitive. We examine how Judge Murphy reduced the county-funded pay raise specifically for law enforcement because of SB22 funding, effectively offsetting the purpose of the state assistance.

The episode follows the money from courthouse construction costs and elected officials’ pay increases to a grant-funded Public Defender’s Office that could exceed one million dollars annually once state funding sunsets. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office and jail face retention challenges, staffing shortages, and declining morale.

We also touch on the Brady List as another topic impacting officers and accountability.

Most importantly, we discuss solutions: transparent multi-year compensation plans, retention incentives, and leadership that honors the true intent of SB22.

Public safety is a promise. Episode 128 asks whether that promise is being protected.

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One of Austin’s most watched police cases just took a dramatic turn. After years of indictments, delays, and a deadly-conduct conviction pushed by Travis County DA José Garza, Officer Christopher Taylor has now been fully acquitted on appeal.

Attorney Doug O’Connell breaks down how a 2019 shooting—seen inside APD as clearly justified—became a political flashpoint, how docket equalization sent the case to West Texas, and how rare a full reverse and render truly is.

We dig into the bigger picture: a DA elected to prosecute officers, a defund-era APD crippled by staffing losses, and a public demanding accountability without understanding split-second force decisions. Doug draws a chilling comparison to Uvalde:
If you act, you’re charged. If you hesitate, you’re charged. What does that do to policing?

He also opens up about the personal toll and why confidential, stigma-free mental-health support is essential for officers and their attorneys.

A must-hear for anyone concerned about policing, justice, or officer wellness.

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In Episode 126 of the Blue Grit Podcast, we sit down with San Marcos Police Commander Duwayne Poorboy to explore the intense world of crisis negotiation—and what it truly means to become the voice of calm in moments where every second counts.

Commander Poorboy walks us through his recent experience at the prestigious Crisis Negotiation Competition & Seminar, an elite training event that brought together nearly 40 teams from across the globe. Recognized as one of the longest-running negotiator training venues in the nation—and one of the largest held each year—this competition pushes negotiators to the limits of communication, patience, and tactical problem-solving.

The event’s training seminars deliver both advanced and foundational instruction for professionals operating in the most volatile environments, including:

• Hostage and crisis negotiators
• Patrol supervisors
• Correctional and jail staff
• Tactical & special operations personnel
• Crisis response teams
• Agency administrators & command staff

Hosted by Texas State University’s School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Marcos Police Department, the seminars ensure negotiators receive world-class instruction rooted in proven crisis-response principles.

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In Part 2, the  @ForceScience team dives even deeper into the science-backed research, training methodology, and mission that set Force Science apart as the national standard for evidence-based law enforcement education. Building on the foundational concepts introduced in Part 1, the instructors break down how their courses reshape the way officers, investigators, leaders, and legal teams understand human performance under stress.

Listeners will hear real examples of how Force Science training influences critical-incident investigations, enhances courtroom clarity, and protects both officers and communities through a better understanding of time, distance, decision-making, and behavioral science. The team highlights why agencies across the country rely on Force Science programs—such as the Force Science Certification Course, Realistic De-Escalation Instructor Course, and Advanced Human Factors—to transform policy, improve tactics, and elevate investigative accuracy.

They also discuss the importance of continuing education in an era of rapidly evolving expectations and scrutiny. At its core, Force Science empowers professionals with research-driven insights that answer the questions most agencies struggle with: What did the officer perceive? Why did they react the way they did? And how does science help us explain it?

Near the end of the episode, the team shares details about their marquee annual event—

📅 Force Science Conference | September 22–24, 2026 | Austin, Texas

Held in the heart of Texas, this conference gathers the world’s leading experts in human performance, use-of-force science, investigations, and law enforcement leadership. Additional details can be found on their website:
🔗 https://events.forcescience.com/force-science-conference-2026

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In Episode #125, we welcome Brian Baxter and Von Kliem of Force Science—the organization reshaping how America understands human behavior in high-stress, split-second encounters. Their cutting-edge research reveals what really happens when perception narrows, reaction time collapses, and life-or-death decisions unfold faster than the brain can fully process.

They break down the myths, the science, and the truth behind use-of-force incidents—and explain why their findings have become essential for investigators, trainers, attorneys, and frontline officers nationwide.

If you’ve ever wondered what actually drives an officer’s decision in those critical moments…
 wait until you hear what Force Science has discovered.

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In this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, we sit down with Jim Bedinger, Division President, and Jorge Mendoza, Vice President of the National Police Federal Credit Union, to talk about how their organization is helping law enforcement officers nationwide keep more of their hard-earned money.

As a proud TMPA partner, the National Police Federal Credit Union offers exclusive financial benefits designed specifically for those who serve — including mortgage rates 1% below market value and the incredible High-Speed Auto Loan starting at just 2.99%.

Jim and Jorge break down how joining the Credit Union not only saves officers money but also connects them with a community that understands the unique challenges of the profession. From financial security to personalized support, this episode highlights another way TMPA continues to serve those who serve Texas.

🔗 Learn more: www.nationalpolicefcu.com

📧 Contact:
Jim Bedinger – [email protected]

Jorge Mendoza – [email protected]

#BlueGritPodcast #TMPA #NationalPoliceFCU #ServingThoseWhoServeTexas #BlueFamily #FinancialFreedom

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In Part 2 of this gripping two-part series, Giovanni Rocco pulls back the curtain on life after the takedown.
What happens when the mission ends—but the mask doesn’t come off?

This episode explores the personal cost of living undercover: the toll it took on Gio’s mental health, the strain on his marriage, and the distance that grew between him and his children. With raw honesty, Gio shares what it was like to lose himself in the role—and the long road to finding his way back.

Today, his mission continues in a new form. No longer infiltrating criminal organizations, Gio now works on the frontlines of mental wellness for law enforcement and first responders, helping others navigate the same darkness he once lived through.

It’s a story of redemption, resilience, and redefining what it means to serve.

Check out his book here- https://a.co/d/9Oix3EW
Inside the Life Podcast- https://insidethelife.org/episodes/

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In this gripping episode, former undercover officer Giovanni Rocco takes listeners deep inside one of the most dangerous assignments in modern law enforcement — infiltrating the MOB. For years, Rocco lived a double life, gaining the trust of some of the most ruthless figures in organized crime while secretly working to bring them down.

With raw honesty and unfiltered emotion, Giovanni reveals the mental and emotional toll of living undercover, the split-second decisions that could have cost him his life, and the price he and his family paid for justice. His story is not just about deception and danger — it’s about courage, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

This is more than a story about the mob — it’s the story of a man who walked the line between good and evil… and lived to tell about it.

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