Briefing Room Podcast

In this episode of The Briefing Room, Sheriff John Allen of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, joins Mike Wagers for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges and realities of modern law enforcement. Sheriff Allen shares candid insights on rising officer-involved shootings in rural communities, the practical limitations of enforcing immigration policies, and the critical role of technology and training in policing. He also speaks openly about rebuilding trust with immigrant communities, combating human trafficking, and why “common sense” leadership matters now more than ever.

In this first episode of The Briefing Room, host Mike Wagers speaks with Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department about encouraging trends in public safety. They discuss new Gallup data showing rising trust in local police among Black Americans, as well as Fairfax County’s survey efforts confirming this progress. Chief Davis highlights how proactive community engagement, smarter policing, and better use of technology are driving both improved public sentiment and a nationwide drop in violent crime. The conversation also touches on the sharp decline in officer fatalities, credited to improved training, evolving officer culture, and strategic use of less-lethal tools. Chief Davis shares insights from his career and emphasizes the importance of leadership, adaptation, and focusing on what truly makes communities safer—even if that means embracing pink handcuffs.