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Tom Smith, a retired NYPD officer and current host of the Gold Shield Show, joins me on "On the Spectrum with Sonia" to discuss the often unseen intersection of law enforcement and mental health. Inspired to follow his father's footsteps and seeing the strong camaraderie and "family" formed within the community,  Tom aimed to recreate that for his own life and found just that. 

The conversation takes a deeper look at the intricacies of mental health in policing, emphasizing the vital role of mental health support within the justice system. We discuss different aspects of mental health within law enforcement, those in the criminal justice system, and education that both law enforcement officers and mental health professionals need to learn of each other. 

Towards the end, we tackle the societal pressures on police officers, magnified by public events like the George Floyd incident. Tom and I discuss how tools like body cameras can enhance accountability and serve as training resources. We discuss the necessity of communication skills and effective strategies to manage mental health crises, advocating for ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals. To cap off the episode, I'm excited to announce the upcoming launch of my book, "Dropped in a Maze," at Creative Con in Chicago, and I invite you to join our journey by subscribing to the podcast across major platforms.