What does it mean to carry five generations of law enforcement legacy? Ken Wallentine, the Chief of the West Jordan (Utah) Police Department, takes us on a remarkable journey through 150 years of family policing history—from his great-great-great-grandfather who served as a Deputy US Marshal during the Civil War to his daughter who texted "Dad, I'm okay" after a tense armed standoff just yesterday.

Behind the badge lies a profound philosophy that guides Chief Wallentine's department: "You matter, like I matter." This simple yet powerful approach recognizes the humanity in both officers and community members. As policing has evolved from six-shot revolvers and minimal training to AI-powered body cameras and comprehensive mental health support, the fundamental mission of connecting with people remains unchanged.

Chief Wallentine offers candid insights into how modern officers navigate expanded responsibilities as frontline mental health responders while carrying public expectations that often seem superhuman. He reflects on his own emotional journey through critical incidents without support, contrasting it with today's robust resources for officer wellbeing. The conversation explores how technology has transformed policing—from body cameras that translate dozens of languages in real-time to training that teaches officers to "speak to the camera" when creating permanent records of their interactions.

The most compelling revelations come when discussing de-escalation—not as a tactic but as a goal dependent on creating conditions that help subjects modify their own behavior. This perspective challenges conventional thinking about use of force, suggesting that tools like PepperBall can actually facilitate de-escalation by providing alternatives to deadly force.

Subscribe to hear more authentic conversations with the real heroes behind the badge—the voices that are "a lot louder and, frankly, a lot more interesting" than the headlines might suggest.

When retired Lieutenant Davin Cole reveals that police officers experience three to five traumatic events every month—the equivalent of what most civilians face in an entire lifetime—you begin to understand the monumental mental health challenges behind the badge.

Through raw honesty, Lt. Cole shares his 31-year journey in law enforcement that culminated in addiction, depression, and a desperate act that ended his career. Despite two officer-involved shootings and countless traumatic scenes, it was an injury during canine training that set him on a path of prescription opioid dependency and undiagnosed complex PTSD. His story represents a startling reality: approximately 40% of officers develop substance abuse disorders, while suicide rates soar at four times the national average.

What makes this conversation particularly illuminating is Lt. Cole's insight into why people choose careers in public safety. Many first responders, he observes, come from backgrounds of childhood trauma, unconsciously driven to become protectors after feeling unprotected themselves. This creates a dangerous cycle where those already carrying personal trauma are continuously exposed to new traumatic events without adequate processing time or support.

The podcast explores emerging best practices for departments, including confidential mental health access, regular debriefing sessions for seemingly routine traumatic exposures, and early intervention. Lt. Cole emphasizes that the old "suck it up" culture is slowly giving way to recognition that mental wellness requires the same attention as physical fitness and tactical training.

Whether you work in public safety or simply interact with first responders, this conversation will transform your understanding of what it means to wear the badge. Next time you encounter a police officer, remember they may have just witnessed something most of us will experience only a handful of times in our entire lives. Follow Lt. Cole's work at DavinCole.com or connect with him on LinkedIn for more resources on first responder mental health.

What makes someone dedicate their life to policing? For Deputy Chief Jim Martin of the Pueblo Police Department, it's about community connection, innovation, and heart. Born and raised in Pueblo with family roots stretching back a century, Martin returned after military service to protect the community he loves – not just as an officer, but as a youth football coach impacting hundreds of kids' lives.

Technology is revolutionizing how Martin's department serves their Colorado community. Their Real-Time Crime Center deploys drones to emergency scenes within 60-90 seconds, providing officers with what Martin calls "an angel in the sky." The results are tangible: 21 shooting victims received life-saving care who would have otherwise gone undiscovered, as no citizen calls were received for these incidents. Despite these advanced capabilities, Martin emphasizes strict policies protecting privacy rights while enhancing public safety.

The conversation tackles recruitment challenges facing departments nationwide, particularly in states with recent police accountability legislation. Yet Martin remains focused on building trust, dismissing the misconception that officers choose the profession "because we're bullies." Instead, he offers a simple truth: "We do this job because we care and have a deep love and passion for our communities." Perhaps the greatest testament to this philosophy? Two officers now serving alongside Martin once played on his youth football teams as fifth graders.

Subscribe to hear more real stories from the frontlines of public safety, where technology meets humanity, and discover the individuals behind the badge working to make their communities safer places to live.

The mental health challenges facing police officers in America's suburban departments deserve just as much attention as those in major metropolitan forces. Deputy Director of Public Safety, Brad Petersen of Minnesota's Cottage Grove Police Department pulls back the curtain on what he describes as an "average" American police agency - not too urban, not too rural, with officers handling just 5-10 calls per shift.

In these relatively safe communities, officers face a unique psychological challenge: maintaining vigilance without succumbing to complacency. "Because our community is so safe, it's easy to get lulled into a false sense of security where we drop our guard and fail to recognize potential dangers," Peterson explains. This balancing act creates its own form of stress that compounds the universal challenges officers face.

The statistics are sobering. While the average American experiences 4-7 traumatic incidents in their lifetime, police officers encounter 200-400 over a 20-year career. This cumulative trauma contributes to suicide rates among retired officers that are twice the national average. Cottage Grove has responded with a comprehensive wellness program including mental health training, counseling, peer support, canine therapy, and chaplain services.

Today's officers also navigate increasingly complex use-of-force situations and societal issues beyond traditional law enforcement. When asked what he wishes the public understood about policing, Peterson's answer was simple but profound: "Officers are humans and we're not perfect. We're trying to do the best we can... a little grace and forgiveness would be awesome."

Recorded during National Police Week, this conversation offers vital perspective on the humans behind the badges in America's most typical police departments. Subscribe to First Response for more stories that take you behind the scenes of modern policing and the real challenges facing those who serve.

Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 13, Bob speaks with David Berez—retired patrol officer, nationally recognized Drug Recognition Expert, and founder of Six4 Consultants. 

With more than two decades on the street in East Windsor, New Jersey, David earned multiple service medals while serving as officer-in-charge, school resource officer, crash investigator, and tactical casualty-care instructor. Since retiring in 2020, he has turned his field experience into action, training agencies nationwide as a master resiliency trainer, advising corporations on physical-security strategy, and serving on the Law Enforcement Advisory Council for Citizens Behind the Badge, where he champions officer wellness and public support for policing. 

Armed with a master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology, David brings a rare blend of street-level credibility and evidence-based insight to law-enforcement mental health, leadership development, and impairment detection—making him an ideal voice for today’s conversation about practical, resilient policing. ​

Mike Milstein is an experienced law enforcement professional with a robust background in leadership and public safety. Currently, he plays a pivotal role in addressing critical issues within the law enforcement community, such as drug overdose responses, behavioral health crises, and hate crime prevention. Mike is known for his strategic approach to integrating public health and safety measures, fostering multi-sector collaborations, and enhancing community engagement through innovative policing models.

Mike's dedication to improving law enforcement practices is evident through his involvement in various initiatives, including the Public Health and Public Safety Team (PHAST) and efforts to employ social workers within police departments to reduce call volume and address social issues more effectively. His expertise extends to creating strategies for recruitment and retention, managing high-risk situations, and leveraging technology for better police-community interactions.

Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 12, Bob speaks with David Goldstein—a 25-year law-enforcement veteran whose resume spans the U.S. Marine Corps, the LAPD, the NYPD, and now the Northeastern University Police. 

Commended in Los Angeles for rescuing a kidnapping victim, named the NYPD’s 2014 Sergeant of the Year after dismantling a child-sex-trafficking ring in Brooklyn, and later commanding six sergeants and 70 officers in South Jamaica, Queens, David has led crime-reduction, traffic-safety, and community-policing initiatives that delivered measurable results. Today, as a Special State Police Officer and Deputy Sheriff at Northeastern, he tops the department in on-view arrests and was honored as the 2023 Officer of the Year. 

From big-city streets to campus corridors, David’s experience offers clear, hard-earned insights into many aspects of policing

Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 10, Bob speaks with Scott Rose, Sheriff of Dodge County, Minnesota and the host and producer of the Officer Down Memorial Podcast.

Sheriff Rose is a 20+ year law enforcement veteran from Minnesota who’s worked in patrol, warrants, investigations, and administration during his career. He is on the board of directors for the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association and the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of SE Minnesota. The Officer Down Memorial Podcast episodes are researched, written, and produced by Sheriff Rose and his goal with this program is to honor fallen heroes, help us remember their service, remind us we must always support the families they left behind, and to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

In this episode, Bob and Sheriff Rose discuss the challenges and sacrifices that  families and colleagues face when an officer dies in the line of duty and how they have to find the strength and courage to move on with their lives. They also discuss the mental challenges these officers and their colleagues face each day and the critical need for bespoke mental health services and support that we need to provide those officers.

Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 9, Bob speaks with Chief Patrick Patton of the Kenosha, WI,  Police Department.

Chief Patton entered law enforcement after serving in the United States Marine Corps.He began his career with the City of Kenosha Police Department. From 2006-2022, he held several positions on the department such as Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. He also served as a firearms instructor, SWAT, Field Training Officer and founded the Kenosha Police Department Civil Disturbance Response Team. In 2022, Patton was appointed to Chief of Police of the City of Kenosha Police Department.

Patton is a strong believer that modern law enforcement success should take a community-focused approach and emphasize community engagement. Chief Patton is also a certified PepperBall non-lethal system advocate and he emphasizes the four tenets of procedural justice. 

Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 8, Bob speaks with Chief Lance Arnold of the Weatherford, TX Police Department.

Since June 2017, Arnold served as the Chief of Police for the Weatherford Police Department, a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas. While serving as Police Chief, he has also served the citizens of Weatherford as the Director of Public Safety and Assistant City Manager. Prior to his time in Weatherford, Arnold served for 20 years with the Norman Police Department in Oklahoma. Chief Arnold’s impressive law enforcement credentials, and his diverse background in municipal government, makes him a positive disruptor who builds thriving workplace cultures to achieve extraordinary outcomes through innovation and continuous improvement.In January of 2025, Arnold will join the Broken Arrow OK, Police Department as their Chief of Police.