December 16, 2025

I Was a Milwaukee Cop For 25 Years — This Is The Dark Side Of The Job | Patrick O'Donnell

1 hour 50 minutes

Patrick O’Donnell spent 25 years inside the Milwaukee Police Department, rising from patrol officer to sergeant, and today he sits down for an honest conversation about the real world behind the badge. In this interview, Patrick breaks down what it was like policing one of the most dangerous cities in Wisconsin, the cases that shaped his career, the mistakes he learned from, and the realities the public never sees. From high-risk calls, street violence, and officer burnout to leadership challenges, community tension, and the dark side of police work, Patrick brings decades of experience to this deep look at modern law enforcement.

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#PoliceInterview #FormerCop #MilwaukeePolice #WisconsinStories #TrueCrimePodcast #LawEnforcementLife #PoliceExperience #lockedinwithianbick

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Thanks to AURA FRAMES & BLUECHEW for sponsoring this episode:

Aura Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/LOCKEDIN. Promo Code LOCKEDIN

BlueChew: Get 10% off your first month of BlueChew Gold with code LOCKEDIN. Visit https://bluechew.com/ for more details and important safety information

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Connect with Patrick O'donnell:

Website: https://copsandwriters.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cops-and-writers-podcast/id1553717643 / Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LIkW87ZQL34n3vXXrIOKK?si=15ff218ac36f408c

Twitter/X: https://x.com/Patrick80094998

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.odonnell.526438/ / https://www.facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@patrickodonnell7928

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@piddyod

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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:

https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en

https://ianbick.com/

Shop Locked In Merch:

http://www.ianbick.com/shop

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Timestamps:

00:00 Policing Then vs. Now — How the Job Has Changed

02:00 Guest Introduction, Networking & Career Paths

04:30 Police K-9 Stories, Dogs & Giving Back

07:45 Writing Books, Podcasting & Finding a Voice

13:00 Growing Up in Chicago: Family, Streets & Influence

19:00 Strict Upbringing, Early Jobs & Discipline

24:00 Teenage Rebellion, Mistakes & Turning Points

29:00 College Years, Direction & Life Choices

36:00 Jail Internship & First Exposure to Policing

44:00 First Day as a Police Officer

52:00 First Crime Scenes & Field Training Reality

01:00:00 Neighborhoods, Crime & Community Policing

01:10:00 Promoted to Sergeant: Leadership & Responsibility

01:19:00 High-Stress Nights, Major Incidents & Split-Second Decisions

01:26:00 Police Rank Structure, Politics & Administration

01:33:00 Modern Policing, Politics & Social Media Pressure

01:39:00 Retirement, Burnout & Officer Mental Health

01:42:00 Advice for New Police Officers & Life Lessons

01:44:00 Final Thoughts, Reflections & Gratitude

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By Ian Bick

4.8

646646 ratings

December 16, 2025

I Was a Milwaukee Cop For 25 Years — This Is The Dark Side Of The Job | Patrick O'Donnell

1 hour 50 minutes

_____________________________________________

#PoliceInterview #FormerCop #MilwaukeePolice #WisconsinStories #TrueCrimePodcast #LawEnforcementLife #PoliceExperience #lockedinwithianbick

_____________________________________________

Thanks to AURA FRAMES & BLUECHEW for sponsoring this episode:

Aura Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/LOCKEDIN. Promo Code LOCKEDIN

BlueChew: Get 10% off your first month of BlueChew Gold with code LOCKEDIN. Visit https://bluechew.com/ for more details and important safety information

_____________________________________________

Connect with Patrick O'donnell:

Website: https://copsandwriters.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cops-and-writers-podcast/id1553717643 / Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LIkW87ZQL34n3vXXrIOKK?si=15ff218ac36f408c

Twitter/X: https://x.com/Patrick80094998

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.odonnell.526438/ / https://www.facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@patrickodonnell7928

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@piddyod

_____________________________________________

Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:

https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en

https://ianbick.com/

Shop Locked In Merch:

http://www.ianbick.com/shop

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