Bulletproof True Crime: The Operator Files

By Steve Stanulis, BleavTrue Crime

Bulletproof True Crime: The Operator Files episodes

October 30Matt Botterbusch: Why Police Bodycam Footage Doesn't Tell the Whole Story | Use of Force Explained
In this episode, we discuss:
Matt Botterbusch's law enforcement background and path into use-of-force reviews

What a Use of Force Review Unit does

Why understanding the officer's decision-making matters

How body-worn cameras changed modern policing

Why bodycam footage may not capture an officer's full perspective

The difference between what an officer experiences and what a camera records

Perspective distortion, fisheye lenses, and spatial perception

How stress, fear, and cognitive load affect split-second decisions

Why viral police videos can create misleading public narratives

Civilian Complaint Review Boards and the challenges of reviewing police footage

When an incident may look different after a complete investigation

The role of objective and unbiased use-of-force analysis

Whether tasers are underused or overused

Should police departments limit foot pursuits?

The meaning and misunderstanding of "I feared for my life"

Whether force can sometimes be used as a de-escalation tool

What civilians should know during police encounters

What every police officer should understand about critical incidents
About Matt Botterbusch
Matt Botterbusch is a Commander with the Use of Force Review Unit, an FBI National Academy graduate, and a certified forensic video technician. He has extensive experience in tactical operations, SWAT leadership, drug interdiction, firearms instruction, control tactics, and critical incident analysis.
He is also the co-founder of First State Force Review LLC, an organization focused on use-of-force analysis, consultation, and training. His professional credentials include FBI National Academy #298, IADLEST Nationally Certified Instructor, and LEVA Certified Forensic Video Technician.

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49 min
October 23Understanding Complex Police Use-of-Force Encounters | Matt Botterbusch | Bullet Proof Podcast
Guest Information
Guest: Matt Botterbusch
Professional background:
Commander, Use of Force Review Unit

Co-Founder, FIRST STATE FORCE REVIEW LLC

FBI National Academy graduate, Session #298

IADLEST Nationally Certified Instructor

LEVA Certified Forensic Video Technician
Host: Steve Stanulis
Podcast: Bullet Proof Podcast
Episode Overview
Matt Botterbusch discusses the realities of reviewing complex police use-of-force encounters, explaining how human performance, officer perception, video evidence, and investigative methodology affect the interpretation of critical incidents.
Key Discussion Points
1. Matt's Law Enforcement Career
Matt describes his service-oriented motivation for entering law enforcement, his background in drug interdiction and illegal weapons investigations, and how years of tactical leadership and instruction led him to use-of-force review.
2. Why Understanding the “Why” Matters
Traditional investigations establish who, what, when, and where. Matt explains why understanding an officer's decision-making in the moment is also essential to analyzing an encounter fairly.
3. Body-Worn Cameras and Police Accountability
Steve and Matt discuss the initial concerns officers had about wearing body cameras and how recorded footage can document police conduct, clarify disputed encounters, and help evaluate complaints.
4. Viral Videos and Missing Context
Matt explains the challenges of responding to viral police videos before reports and statements are available. He discusses why agencies should provide context carefully when releasing footage to the public.
5. Perspective Distortion in Body-Camera Footage
Body cameras record two-dimensional visual information and have technical limitations. Matt explains how lens distortion, frame rates, camera position, and missing contextual information can affect a viewer's understanding of distance, movement, and timing.
6. Human Performance Under Stress
Critical incidents involve time pressure, uncertainty, fear, and competing demands for attention. Matt discusses why an officer's experience of an encounter may differ from what a recording appears to show.
7. Reviewing Force Objectively
An incident that initially appears justified may look different after a complete review, and the reverse can also happen. Matt describes using repeatable, reliable investigative methods rather than relying on assumptions or public reaction.
8. Real-World Decision-Making and Public Expectations
The conversation examines why expectations such as shooting a weapon out of someone's hand or deliberately targeting a leg do not reflect the realities of rapidly unfolding force encounters.
9. Advanced Forensic Video Technology
Matt discusses laser scanning and spatial reconstruction tools used in complex cases to better understand the relative positions of officers and civilians.
10. Tasers and Foot Pursuits
During a rapid-fire segment, Matt discusses the limitations of conducted-energy devices, the risks of over-reliance on less-lethal tools, and why foot-pursuit policies need to account for individual circumstances.
11. De-Escalation and Mental Health Crises
Matt explains why communication and persuasion are often preferred, while recognizing that some situations require timely physical intervention to secure a person and obtain medical care.
12. Accountability Within Law Enforcement
Matt discusses the difficulty of discovering that an officer made a poor decision. He emphasizes that credibility depends on presenting the facts honestly, even when the findings are unfavorable to law enforcement.
13. Memory After Critical Incidents
Matt explains that officers may not remember parts of an encounter captured on video. Under stress, attention narrows, and memory may not align perfectly with recorded evidence.
14. Lessons for Officers and the Public
Matt encourages the public to consider the totality of circumstances before reaching conclusions. For officers, he stresses realistic expectations of human performance, continued education, and an understanding of how video evidence should be interpreted.
Key Takeaway
A video recording is an important piece of evidence, but interpreting a complex force encounter requires context, objective analysis, an understanding of human performance, and a willingness to consider facts that may challenge initial assumptions.
Disclaimer
This episode reflects the conversation and opinions expressed by the participants. Discussion of particular incidents should not be interpreted as a formal finding about any case that was not fully reviewed in the episode.

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49 min
October 16Jeffrey Lewis: 30 Years in Miami Homicide — Cold Cases, Cocaine Cowboys & Catching Killers | Bulletproof True Crime
Guest: Jeffrey Lewis
Guest background: Retired Miami-Dade homicide detective, U.S. Air Force veteran, volunteer cold case homicide detective, former Seminole County Sheriff's Office professional, and board member of the National Homicide Investigators Association.
Hosted by: Steve Stanulis
In this episode:
Jeffrey Lewis’s journey from the U.S. Air Force into law enforcement

Three decades of policing in Miami-Dade County

His first homicide investigation and obtaining a confession

Why criminals sometimes reveal more than they should

The challenges of solving stranger-on-stranger murders

Why homicide cases go cold and how investigators can revisit them

The role of DNA, fingerprints, ballistics, and forensic evidence

Body cameras, public scrutiny, and changes in modern policing

Miami’s drug-related violence during the Cocaine Cowboys era

Home-invasion robberies and criminals impersonating police officers

The importance of investigative teamwork and getting justice for victims
About the guest:
Jeffrey Lewis is a retired law enforcement professional whose career included military service, robbery investigations, homicide investigations, and cold case work. His experience offers a perspective on the realities of major crime investigations and the persistence required to pursue justice for victims and their families.

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51 min
October 09Former DHS Secretary Chad Wolf on America's Biggest Security Threats
Guest
Chad Wolf
Former Acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Host
Steve Stanulis
Bullet Proof Podcast
Topics Covered
00:00 — Introduction
Steve introduces Chad Wolf

Wolf's background and role in Homeland Security
01:00 — How Chad Wolf Got Into Government
Growing up in Mississippi and Texas

His interest in public service

Moving to Washington, D.C.

Starting his career on Capitol Hill
02:30 — What Does Homeland Security Actually Do?
DHS as a large organization with multiple operating components

Coast Guard

Secret Service

TSA

ICE

Customs and Border Protection

Cybersecurity

Different career paths within DHS
04:15 — What Is It Like to Know About Threats Americans Never See?
Wolf's early-morning intelligence briefings

The President's Daily Brief

Threats facing the homeland

The responsibility of turning intelligence into action

Protecting Americans from threats they may never know existed
07:00 — The Psychological Weight of Homeland Security
Constant exposure to national-security threats

Making decisions under uncertainty

The responsibility of protecting millions of people
09:00 — 9/11 and How Prepared Is America Today?
Lessons learned from September 11

Changes in homeland security preparedness

How emergency response and intelligence have evolved

Whether the U.S. is better positioned to respond today
12:00 — How Intelligence Becomes Action
How officials evaluate incoming information

Determining whether intelligence is credible

Connecting intelligence with field operations

Working with different agencies
15:00 — Lone Actors vs. Organized Terrorist Groups
Why lone actors can be extremely difficult to detect

Radicalization through the internet

Intelligence and investigative challenges

The importance of identifying warning signs
18:00 — The Threats Civilians Don't See
Investigations

Behavioral indicators

Connecting information across agencies

How law enforcement identifies potential threats
22:00 — America's Southern Border
Security challenges at the border

Changes in migration patterns

Border enforcement

Intelligence concerns

The role of CBP and Border Patrol
27:00 — Cartels & Human Trafficking
How sophisticated criminal organizations can be

Cartel operations

Human trafficking networks

The challenges facing law enforcement

Protecting vulnerable people
32:00 — The Threat of Human Trafficking Inside the U.S.
Why trafficking remains a serious concern

Vulnerable populations

The challenges of identifying trafficking operations
36:00 — America's Biggest National-Security Threats
Wolf discusses threats including:
Terrorism

Cyber attacks

Organized crime

Foreign adversaries

Lone-actor threats
40:00 — Which Countries Concern Homeland Security?
Iran

North Korea

Russia

Other countries that may not share information with the United States

Challenges involved in intelligence and vetting
43:00 — What Does Washington Get Wrong?
Lessons Wolf learned while working inside Washington

Decision-making at the highest levels

The challenges of government leadership
46:00 — The Pressure of Leading Homeland Security
Starting the day with intelligence briefings

Making decisions based on incomplete information

Managing major threats

Transitioning from national-security responsibilities back to family life
50:00 — The Human Side of National Security
Being a husband and father while carrying enormous responsibility

Compartmentalizing work and personal life

The psychological impact of high-pressure leadership
53:00 — What Would Chad Wolf Change?
Steve asks what Wolf would change if given the opportunity

Improving homeland security and national preparedness

Resources and priorities for federal agencies
55:00 — Where to Find Chad Wolf
Chad discusses his current work

Professional opportunities and speaking

How listeners can connect with him
Key Questions Asked in the Episode
How did you originally get into government?

What qualifications do you need to work at Homeland Security?

What was it like receiving intelligence briefings every morning?

What threats worried you the most?

How do you determine whether intelligence is credible?

Are lone actors harder to stop than organized groups?

What warning signs can law enforcement identify?

What are the biggest security problems at the border?

How sophisticated are the cartels?

How serious is human trafficking?

Is the southern border secure?

What does Washington get wrong about immigration?

Should ICE or Border Patrol receive more resources?

Which countries concern you most from a national-security perspective?

What's more dangerous: terrorism, cyber attacks or organized crime?

What surprised you most about working inside Washington?

What would you change if you could change one thing?

How do you transition from dealing with national threats to going home and being a husband and father?

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47 min
October 02Meagan McCarthy: Surviving a Police Shooting, PTSD & Finding Purpose | Bulletproof Podcast
Guest: Meagan McCarthy
Host: Steve Stanulis
Podcast: Bulletproof Podcast
About the Guest
Meagan McCarthy is a keynote speaker, author, law enforcement and victim advocate, and wellness and resiliency trainer specializing in mental health. After serving as a law enforcement officer, surviving a life-threatening shooting, and navigating significant mental health challenges, she dedicated herself to helping others understand trauma, resilience, and recovery.
Topics Covered
Meagan's journey from nursing studies to law enforcement.

Her experiences serving with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The realities and risks of responding to unpredictable calls.

The September 4, 2019, shooting that changed her life.

The physical injuries and long-term psychological effects of the incident.

PTSD, trauma recovery, and the importance of professional support.

Facing public scrutiny and navigating a criminal trial.

Prescription medication addiction and mental health struggles.

Her transition from law enforcement to advocacy and public speaking.

Supporting victims, police officers, and other first responders.

Why resilience does not always look the same for everyone.

What aspiring law enforcement officers should consider beyond salary and benefits.

Finding purpose and helping others after a traumatic experience.
A Message on Mental Health
Meagan emphasizes that mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of occupation or background. Her advocacy encourages people to seek support, access appropriate resources, and recognize that resilience is not always visible from the outside.
Content Note: This episode includes discussions of gun violence, traumatic injuries, PTSD, addiction, and suicidal behavior.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Stay connected with Bulletproof Podcast for more conversations with people whose real-life experiences reveal the challenges, resilience, and stories behind the headlines.

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55 min
September 25Inside the Secret Service: Drone Threats, Presidential Protection & What Movies Get Wrong | Joe Scargill
Guest: Joe Scargill
Position: Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service — Jacksonville Division
Also: Keynote Speaker
Host: Steve Stanulis
Podcast: Bulletproof True Crime
Topics Discussed
Joe's nearly 27 years with the Secret Service

His role as Special Agent in Charge of the Jacksonville Division

Presidential protection and protective operations

How Secret Service agents assess crowds

Identifying unusual behavior and potential pre-attack indicators

Drone threats and the challenges they create

How protective teams communicate during an event

What Hollywood gets right—and wrong—about the Secret Service

In the Line of Fire and other Secret Service movies

The reality behind protective details

Working in extreme weather and difficult environments

The challenges of protecting high-profile individuals

Building and managing a protective detail

Street smarts vs. book smarts

Leadership vs. management

Why "presence" matters in law enforcement

Brazilian jiu-jitsu and how training affects confidence

The dangers of overly aggressive policing

Why training can change how officers handle physical confrontation

Fear: useful or dangerous?

Instinct vs. training

The biggest concern Joe has today: online radicalization

Working in the Secret Service and international travel

Current Secret Service recruitment opportunities

Joe's experience working across 73 countries

Life and career in the Secret Service

Joe's work as a keynote speaker
Key Takeaways
“What’s supposed to be here—and what isn’t?”
Joe explains how identifying abnormalities can be an important part of assessing a crowd.
Training over instinct.
During the rapid-fire segment, Joe chooses training when asked whether instinct or training matters more.
Fear can be useful.
Joe describes fear as something that can serve a purpose rather than simply being something to eliminate.
The threat that concerns him most today:
Joe points to radicalization on the internet, particularly individuals going down online rabbit holes.
For aspiring Secret Service agents:
Joe explains that the agency is actively looking for qualified applicants across special-agent, Secret Service Police, administrative, professional, technical, medical, scientific, and IT roles.

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54 min
September 18 From Police Chief to Public Safety Tech: Mike Moulton on the Future of Law Enforcement
00:00 – Introduction
Steve introduces Mike Moulton and discusses the reality of policing beyond what people see on television.
01:45 – Why Mike Became a Police Officer
Mike explains how his father and a high-school football coach influenced his decision to pursue law enforcement.
03:20 – Starting the Police Academy at 20
Mike shares what it was like entering the academy at a young age and turning 21 while in training.
05:00 – Being a Young Officer in the Real World
Steve and Mike discuss the strange reality of being a young officer expected to handle serious situations and act as “the adult in the room.”
07:40 – From Officer to Police Chief
Mike breaks down his career progression through patrol, investigations, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and ultimately chief.
12:50 – The Race to Become Chief
Why timing, opportunity and career decisions can determine whether an officer gets the chance to become a chief.
15:15 – The Pressure of Being the Chief
Mike explains why a nighttime lieutenant can essentially become the decision-maker for an entire department—and what changes when you become chief.
16:40 – “There Are No Guardrails Anymore”
Mike reveals one of the biggest surprises of becoming police chief: having fewer people above you to challenge or correct your decisions.
19:00 – The Politics of Running a Police Department
Mike discusses the competing expectations of officers, the community, city leadership and elected officials.
25:00 – Leaving Policing Behind
Mike opens up about the difficult transition from being a police chief to civilian life.
27:20 – Finding a New Purpose After Retirement
How consulting work and creating a dedicated workspace helped Mike rebuild structure and routine after nearly 30 years in policing.
32:00 – Would He Become a Police Officer Again?
Mike reflects on his career and discusses whether he would make the same decision again.
33:00 – The Crisis in Police Recruiting
Mike discusses changes in police recruiting, applicant numbers and the challenges departments face attracting new officers.
36:00 – Why Mass Hiring Can Create New Problems
The conversation turns to hiring standards, training and the potential consequences of departments trying to quickly fill vacancies.
38:00 – The Modern Police Officer
Mike discusses the pressures facing today's officers and how policing has changed from earlier generations.
39:45 – Use of Force & Officer Decision-Making
Mike explains how officers think about force and how today's officers may face considerations that previous generations didn't have to deal with.
43:20 – Rapid-Fire Questions
Mike answers questions about policing, leadership, decision-making, public safety and what makes a great officer.
45:30 – Mike Moulton’s Work in Public Safety Technology
Mike explains his consulting work with public safety technology companies and how he helps technology companies bring their products into policing.
46:15 – AI & The Future of Policing
Mike discusses how artificial intelligence and emerging technology are changing traditional policing.
46:35 – Helping Startups Enter Law Enforcement
Mike explains how his consulting work helps early-stage technology companies gain a foothold within police departments.
47:00 – Closing
Mike shares where listeners can connect with him, followed by Steve's closing remarks.

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48 min
September 11 Scott Hughes: Chief of Police on Leadership, Officer Stress, and What’s Wrong With Policing Today
Scott Hughes has spent decades in law enforcement and currently serves as a police chief while also working as a consultant, instructor, podcast host, and advocate for the law-enforcement profession.
One of the central themes of the conversation is leadership after promotion. Scott explains why he continues to view himself as "just a cop with rank" and why leaders need to remember where they came from. He argues that effective leadership is ultimately about taking care of your people, giving them the resources they need, holding them accountable, and helping them become better than you.
Steve and Scott then tackle the controversial issue of police promotions. Scott argues that traditional systems based heavily on seniority and written examinations don't necessarily identify the best leaders. In his view, qualities such as communication, officer safety, decision-making, mentoring, and performance under pressure should play a greater role.
The discussion then moves behind the scenes of being a chief. Scott explains that some of the hardest decisions aren't made on the street—they involve personnel, assignments, discipline, and internal department issues that directly affect people's lives.
Another major topic is officer stress and burnout. Scott connects excessive hours, night shifts, court appearances, off-duty work, and inadequate recovery to shortened tempers and unhealthy coping mechanisms. He explains how stress can spill over into officers' personal lives and contribute to alcohol abuse and domestic problems.
Scott also discusses the danger of spending too much energy worrying about things an officer cannot control—from decisions made by chiefs and mayors to promotions, policies, and political issues. His argument is blunt: officers need to recognize what they can control and avoid allowing external frustrations to consume them.
The episode also examines modern police training, with Scott criticizing the overreliance on webinars and policy-based testing. Knowing a policy on paper, he argues, is not the same as being able to apply it while experiencing the stress of a real incident.
Steve and Scott finish with a rapid-fire discussion about policing in the 1990s versus today, before Scott highlights the work of the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame, where he serves on the Board of Directors.

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47 min
September 04Tattered: When the Blue Line Frays | 30 Years in Law Enforcement with Rusty Myers
In This Episode:
Rusty's journey through 30+ years of law enforcement

Going from patrol to investigations and executive leadership

Why he chose law enforcement over teaching

What has changed most in policing since the 1990s

How technology has transformed police work

The impact of body cameras

Changing public attitudes toward police officers

The increasing expectation of “perfection” from law enforcement

De-escalation and modern police training

Lessons Rusty learned while working patrol

The importance of not judging people by appearances

His experience leading an interdiction team

Why good officers never stop learning

The story behind Tattered: When the Blue Line Frays

What happens when trust inside a department breaks down

The importance of officers supporting one another

Rusty's personal battle and reaching rock bottom

Why law enforcement officers need to recognize when they or their colleagues are struggling

The role of family and fellow officers during a crisis

Why the “blue line” didn't completely disappear—it frayed

What today's generation of police officers faces that previous generations didn't

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45 min
August 28Charles Ramsey: 47 Years of Policing & the Future of Law Enforcement | Bullet Proof
In this episode, Charles Ramsey discusses:
His beginnings in Chicago and his journey into law enforcement

How policing has changed over nearly five decades

Old-school policing vs. modern policing technology

The impact of body-worn cameras

Social media and the changing perception of police

Police recruitment and retention challenges

Officer morale and leadership

Protests, civil unrest, and maintaining public safety

The challenges of leading major police departments

What civilians often misunderstand about police work

What Hollywood gets wrong about policing and investigations

Technology, forensic evidence, and solving crimes

The importance of empathy and service in policing

Leadership lessons for the next generation of officers

Financial mistakes young officers should avoid

Ramsey's experience with the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing

His continued work developing police leadership

The future of American law enforcement
Guest: Charles Ramsey
Former Commissioner, Philadelphia Police Department
Former Chief, Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C.
Founding Partner, 21st Century Policing Solutions
Advisor to the U.S. Conference of Mayors
Host: Steve Stanulis
Podcast: Bullet Proof

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44 min

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Step into the shadows with Bulletproof: The Operator Files — a raw, high-stakes true crime and investigative podcast hosted by Steve Stanulis: ex-NYPD, elite bodyguard, private investigator, and…

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