Briefing Room Podcast

In this episode of The Briefing Room, host Mike Wagers sits down with Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt for a candid conversation about what it takes to lead when public trust is fractured. Elected in 2022 and taking office in January 2023, Witt became the first woman and first person of color to serve as Hennepin County sheriff—but her path to law enforcement began from an unlikely place. Growing up distrustful of police and becoming a mother at 15, Witt never imagined she would one day lead one of Minnesota’s largest law enforcement agencies.

Witt shares how a jail tour changed the trajectory of her life and launched a career that would take her through roles overseeing Minnesota’s largest jail, court security during major trials, and some of the most challenging moments in the county’s recent history. She reflects on the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the lessons she learned about communication and perception, and the importance of defining your position clearly so you’re not constantly defending it.

The conversation also explores the challenges of Operation Metro Surge and immigration enforcement, the importance of representation and women in policing, and Witt’s efforts to create a culture where different perspectives are welcomed. She discusses innovative jail programming like HOPE, her commitment to reducing wasted time for people in custody, and why authenticity and staying grounded are essential to leadership.

Ultimately, Sheriff Witt offers a deeply personal perspective on rebuilding trust—not through slogans or promises, but through communication, representation, accountability, and showing up consistently for the people you serve.

Here’s What You’ll Hear

* How growing up distrustful of police eventually led Witt to a career in law enforcement

* The jail tour that changed the trajectory of her life

* What becoming a mother at 15 taught her about resilience and leadership

* Lessons from the George Floyd aftermath and major trials

* Why perception and communication matter when public trust is at stake

* Witt’s philosophy: “Define so you’re not defending”

* Navigating Operation Metro Surge and immigration enforcement

* Why representation matters in modern policing

* The role women can play in changing law enforcement culture

* How HOPE and other jail programs can turn wasted time into opportunity

* Why authenticity matters when leading a large organization

* Building an agency culture that welcomes different perspectives

* What keeps Sheriff Witt grounded in her leadership

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome & Meet Sheriff Dawanna Witt 03:29 From Distrust to the Badge 08:07 Lessons From the George Floyd Trial 13:51 Perception, Trust & Social Media 18:24 Navigating Operation Metro Surge 21:51 Staying Grounded as Sheriff 24:06 Why Women Matter in Policing 29:14 Rethinking the Jail Experience 33:27 Pride, Family & Personal Roots 36:51 Leadership Lessons & Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Briefing Room, host Mike Wagers sits down with Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones to discuss the challenges and opportunities of policing one of America's most visited cities.

A 30-year veteran of the Miami Beach Police Department and chief since 2023, Jones shares his unique path into law enforcement after originally training as a professional pilot. He reflects on growing up between the Bahamas and South Florida and explains how Miami Beach's geography, tourism economy, and constant influx of visitors create a public safety environment unlike almost anywhere else in the country.

The conversation explores Miami Beach's highly publicized efforts to address spring break violence and disorder. Chief Jones discusses the data-driven strategies the city implemented, including traffic controls, parking restrictions, enhanced police presence, extensive camera networks, and mobile license plate readers. He explains how these measures improved public safety while helping create a more sustainable environment for businesses and residents.

Jones also highlights the department's nationally recognized homeless outreach program, which combines law enforcement with social services and housing resources to help individuals access support. He discusses the department's dedicated human trafficking unit and why specialized investigations are critical to identifying offenders and protecting victims.

Finally, Chief Jones explains Miami Beach's innovative drones-as-first-responders program, which delivers aerial situational awareness to critical incidents in under two minutes and provides a glimpse into the future of public safety technology.

Here's What You'll Hear

Chief Wayne Jones' journey from aspiring pilot to police chief

The unique public safety challenges of Miami Beach

How the city transformed its spring break strategy

The role of cameras and license plate readers in modern policing

Why homeless outreach requires partnership beyond law enforcement

How Miami Beach investigates and combats human trafficking

What Chief Jones learned from serving during the Gianni Versace era

How drones are helping officers respond faster to emergencies

The future of technology-driven policing

Leadership lessons from three decades in public safety

Timestamps

(00:00) Introduction and Meet Chief Wayne Jones

(02:00) Growing Up Between the Bahamas and Florida

(04:15) From Professional Pilot Training to Law Enforcement

(06:45) Understanding the Unique Challenges of Miami Beach

(09:20) Spring Break: When Tourism Became a Public Safety Crisis

(12:15) The Strategy to Reclaim Spring Break

(15:10) Cameras, License Plate Readers, and Data-Driven Policing

(17:45) Results, Community Impact, and Business Response

(20:10) Building an Award-Winning Homeless Outreach Program

(23:15) The Importance of Partnerships and Social Services

(25:10) Human Trafficking Investigations and Victim Protection

(28:00) Lessons from Three Decades in Miami Beach

(29:30) Drones as First Responders: The Future of Policing

(32:00) Technology, Innovation, and What's Next

(33:30) Closing Thoughts and Final Advice

About the Guest

Chief Wayne Jones has served with the Miami Beach Police Department for more than three decades and was appointed Chief of Police in 2023. Throughout his career, he has led initiatives focused on public safety innovation, community engagement, and technology-driven policing. Under his leadership, the department has expanded its use of advanced technologies, strengthened partnerships addressing homelessness and human trafficking, and implemented nationally recognized public safety strategies. Chief Jones is widely regarded as a forward-thinking leader focused on balancing public safety, community trust, and operational effectiveness in one of America's most dynamic cities.

Links & Resources

Mike Wagers on LinkedIn

Miami Beach Police Department

Chief Wayne Jones on LinkedIn

Drones as First Responders Programs

In this episode, Colonel Matthew Birmingham, Director of the Vermont State Police and General Chair of the IACP State and Provincial Division, joins Mike Wagers for a candid conversation about what it means to lead a statewide law enforcement agency through one of the most turbulent decades in modern policing. Colonel Birmingham traces his path from road trooper to narcotics investigator to agency director, reflecting on how each chapter shaped his people-first approach to leadership. They discuss the weight of navigating COVID-19, the aftermath of George Floyd, and how both tested the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The conversation covers officer wellness and peer support, embedding mental health crisis workers directly in barracks, the unique staffing pressures of policing 200 of Vermont's 251 towns, and the growing complexity of northern border crime.

In this episode, Sheriff Dennis Lemma of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office joins Mike Wagers for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, service, and the future of policing. Sheriff Lemma reflects on rising through the ranks, from correctional officer to sheriff, and shares how that journey has shaped the way he leads today. They discuss the opioid epidemic, the importance of addressing root causes, and why Sheriff Lemma believes mental health is the next major challenge public safety must confront. The conversation also explores technology, innovation, agency culture, and how leaders can stay grounded in service while navigating politics, public expectations, and rapid change.

In this episode, Sheriff Mike Chapman—elected in 2011 and now serving his fourth term as sheriff of Loudoun County (VA) Sheriff’s Office—shares stories from a remarkable 48-year career in law enforcement. From his early days in Howard County, Maryland, to high-stakes drug operations with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Miami during the “cocaine cowboy” era, Chapman recounts firsthand experiences that rival scenes from Narcos and Miami Vice. He discusses international assignments in Pakistan and Asia, the leadership lessons he brought back to Virginia, and how those experiences shaped his award-winning approach as sheriff. Chapman also reflects on navigating politics, collaborating with federal law enforcement partners, building community trust, and the philosophy behind his book, Step Up and Lead. It’s a candid conversation about service, accountability, and what it takes to lead a modern law enforcement agency.

In this episode, Chief Stephen Redfearn of the Boulder Police Department joins the podcast to reflect on a remarkable law enforcement career that began as a teenage dispatcher and evolved into leading one of the nation’s most closely watched departments. Chief Redfearn shares firsthand insights from responding to landmark tragedies such as Columbine, the Aurora theater shooting, and more recent acts of mass violence, including the Pearl Street terror attack in Boulder. He talks about how those experiences have shaped him, the impact on officer wellness, and the importance of community trust. The conversation also explores Boulder’s innovative use of technology and AI—from AI report writing to drones and the use of transparency dashboards—and why, even in an era of rapid technological change, policing remains a deeply human profession.

In this episode, host Mike Wagers sits down with Overland Park (KS) Police Chief Doreen Jokerst for a wide-ranging conversation on police leadership, community trust, and the future of public safety. Chief Jokerst shares her philosophy of “protecting the vulnerable from harm” and ensuring communities run to police for help, not away from them, while reflecting on her leadership journey from the University of Colorado to one of Kansas’s largest cities. The discussion explores The Curve nonprofit, lessons learned from managing high-profile events like Coach Deion Sanders’ arrival at CU and preparations for the World Cup, and how curiosity, innovation, and even failure play a critical role in evolving policing. Chief Jokerst also offers thoughtful insights on mentorship, organizational culture, and the responsible use of technology and AI in law enforcement.

In this episode, host Mike Wagers sits down with Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan to discuss his transition from a 30+ year career with the Philadelphia Police Department to leading one of the Midwest’s busiest police departments. Chief Sullivan shares his philosophy on data-driven policing, including a reimagined CompStat process, focused shooter reviews, and strong partnerships with federal and local agencies to reduce gun violence. The conversation also explores recruitment and retention strategies, the role of technology like real-time crime centers and drones as first responders, and the importance of telling policing’s story through initiatives like “Well Done Wednesday.” Throughout the episode, Chief Sullivan emphasizes fair leadership, de-escalation, officer wellness, and community trust as essential pillars of modern policing.

In this episode of The Briefing Room, host Mike Wagers sits down with Redmond (WA) Police Chief Darrell Lowe for an in-depth conversation about leadership, accountability, and the future of public safety technology. Chief Lowe reflects on his journey from growing up in Los Angeles to the Santa Monica Police Department and leading the Redmond, Washington Police Department, discussing how early career “knucklehead” mistakes shaped his approach to leadership. He shares insights on race and policing, the importance of professional involvement beyond one’s own department, and Redmond’s pioneering Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) program—now one of the nation’s leading models. The episode also explores AI’s growing role in policing, ethical considerations, and how technology can support officer wellness and more effective service to the community

In this episode, Mike Wagers sits down with longtime public safety leader Kristen Mahoney, tracing her path from the Baltimore Police Department to Maryland’s Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, and ultimately the Bureau of Justice Assistance, where she helped oversee billions in federal grants. Kristen reflects on the rise of evidence-based and SMART policing, the essential role of civilian professionals, and the federal government’s unique convening power. Kristen also shares insights from her work with the University of Chicago’s Policing Leadership Academy and the growing push to equip future police leaders with data-driven, problem-solving skills and the need to be curious amid rapid technological and cultural change.