Leadership APB

This episode is sponsored by Verizon Frontline – the advanced network for first responders on the front lines. It’s your mission. It’s your Verizon.

For more information visit Verizon FBINAA Landing Page

It seems we are constantly hearing about how retail crimes are getting more and more brazen, sophisticated, and organized across the country. Today, we will be looking at the topic of Organized Retail Crime and its impact and implications to communities, businesses, and consumers as well as the nexus between organized retail crime, fraud, financial crimes, organized crime, slave labor, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, terrorism and other major crimes impacting communities both in the US and abroad.

Brendan “Ben” Dugan, Executive Director, Central Investigations CVS Health

Ben Dugan, CFI, is the Executive Director of Organized Retail Crime and Central Investigations at CVS Health. Ben possesses over 30 years retail loss prevention experience ranging from Big Box, Catalog, Pharmacy and Specialty retailers. Ben is certified as an expert in Organized Retail Crime and Diversion by the U.S. Department of Justice and holds additional certifications as a Law Enforcement Instructor, Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI) and in E-Commerce Investigative Methodologies.

Ben has provided expert testimony in dozens of high-profile criminal cases and testified at the highest levels of Government, including the U.S. Congress to advance ORC legislation and initiatives across the country. His work on ORC, Transnational Crime, Money Laundering, and violent crime is regularly featured in the  national media and industry conferences.

Ben is the sitting President of the National Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail.

This episode is sponsored by Justice Federal Credit Union: Serving the Justice and Law Enforcement Community across the Nation

For more information visit: Justice Federal Credit Union

Our theme for this year, “Back to the Network,” is a powerful reminder of the connections, opportunities, and shared purpose that define the FBINAA community. Joining us today is Jennifer Watson, Director of Member Services, and we’ll explore why this theme is so meaningful, talk about some important updates to our membership categories, and remind everyone of the incredible benefits awaiting our members. Whether you’re a current member considering renewal or a past member thinking about rejoining, this podcast is for you.

As Director of Membership for the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA), I leverage my 25 years of non-profit experience and Certified Association Executive (CAE) credentials to cultivate a thriving and engaged member community. My passion lies in fostering connections and empowering our esteemed members to
stay informed, connected, and engaged. Through strategic initiatives like exclusive member resources, networking events, and online forums, I ensure
FBINAA membership offers tangible value. My commitment extends beyond official duties, as I actively listen to your needs and advocate for your interests. Building a strong, vibrant FBINAA community is my top priority, and I believe in fostering a space where every member feels valued and supported.

This episode is sponsored by Motorola Solutions: Solving for Safer and by Off Duty Management: Built by Officers, For Officers!

Visit Motorola Solutions for more information.
Visit Off Duty Management for more information. 

Our guests today is David LaGrone, Captain (retired), Paramus Police Department.

David currently works in corporate America as a Regional Manager
over the Central Investigations Organized Retail Crimes Unit. He retired as a Captain after 24 years, serving as the Detective Division Commander and OIC of the Internal Affairs Investigations. David also served in the U.S. Army NJ National Guard for 8 years, receiving an honorable discharge for his service. David holds a bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University and a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, both out of NJ. David is also a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 270 and an active member of the FBINAA.

This episode is sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T: America’s Public Safety Network-Built for You, Inspired by You! and by Utility: Transforming Public Safety, One Innovation at a Time!

Visit Firstnet for more information.
Visit Utility for more information. 

Our guests today are Julie Parker & Chief Christopher Mannino. 

Julie Parker, an Emmy award-winning former TV news reporter and
anchor, served as media relations director for major police departments and as senior media advisor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police. With 20 years of experience, she founded a communications consultancy in 2014, guiding diverse organizations across North America in internal communications and public messaging. Notably, Julie directed public information strategy for a large county government during the COVID-19 pandemic and led communications strategy for the U.S. Capitol Police post-January 6th. In her 13-year career in Washington, DC, she anchored for ABC7 News, covered 9/11 and the "Beltway Sniper" crisis, and reported from the Oscars. Julie also co-hosted a sports talk radio show and worked at C-SPAN. For seven years, she directed media relations for Fairfax County and Prince George’s County Police Departments. A University of Maryland graduate, Julie contributes to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security as a crisis communications expert and speaks at public safety conferences across the country.

Christopher Mannino retired as chief of police from a Chicago-area police department with 25 years of service in 2022. Earning a master’s degree in political and justice studies where his education focused on communications, he put theory into practice throughout his career, messaging as the face and voice of his agency through crises and critical incidents, including officer-involved shootings, serious crimes, weather events, a pandemic, civil unrest, and other major incidents. He credits attending the FBI National Academy in 2009 as his inspiration for revolutionizing his agency’s approach to public communication. Doing so earned the police department an outsized reputation for their social media outreach and media relations efforts in a major news market. Today he is Vice President of Julie Parker Communications, providing consulting and training on leadership and communications to government entities and private companies across North America. He has authored articles for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police1 and is a National Policing Institute Executive Fellow.

As we gear up for our 61st National Annual Training Conference, we wanted to take a moment to talk about our official Call for Presentations that was announced September 16th. The mission of the FBINAA is “Impacting communities by providing and promoting law enforcement leadership through training and networking.” With that in mind we sat down with our Association President, Craig Petersen, to discuss potential topics for the upcoming conference. 

This episode is sponsored by 5.11 Tactical; Always Be Ready!

Our topic for today’s episode is Funding Strategies: Navigating Grants. Today, we
will be featuring Chris Twitchel, the Grant Administrator for the Christian County
Sheriff’s Office.

Chris is currently a grant administrator with the Christian County Sheriff’s office
and owner of Blue Life Consultants.  He is a retired Captain with the Camden
County Sheriff’s Office and a former police chief. His law enforcement career
spans over 29 years including 14 of those years in executive leadership. Chris is
an Adjunct College Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Columbia
College and Drury University.

Chris graduated from Columbia College with a bachelor’s degree in history and
holds a graduate degree from Lincoln University in Criminal Justice and
Sociology. Chris is also a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session
#287.

Chris has a passion for training law enforcement in multiple areas including
officer well-being, leadership and assisting with grant funding. In his free time,
he spends time with family, his two adult children and three grandchildren on his
century family farm at the Lake of the Ozarks.

President Petersen served at the Gulfport Police Department, in Gulfport Mississippi, and retired as the Deputy Chief of Police in June 2022, after 25 years of service.  

Craig is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Craig also went on to attend Delta State University where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Social Justice and Criminology. Craig is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 245. 

Craig is active in the FBI National Academy Associates, where he is the Past President of the Mississippi Chapter. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the FBINAA Charitable Foundation. He resides in Gulfport, Mississippi with his wife of seven years, Michelle, and they have two sons, Ray and James, in college. 

President Petersen has been serving on the FBINAA National Board as the Section III Representative and Vice President.

As we gear up for this great event, we wanted to take a moment and highlight all
the greats things attendees can expect in Kansas City! We have amazing training,
activities, and opportunities for everyone.

Joining us today is:
Director of Marketing & Communications, Riley Moran
Director of Member Services, Jennifer Watson
Director of Strategic Partnerships, John DeVoe
And our awesome partner, Mark Lorimer with the Eventive Group

This episode is sponsored by Verizon Frontline; The Advanced Network for First Responders on the Front Lines. It’s Your Mission, It’s Your Verizon. For more information, visit the Verizon FBINAA page.

It is a tragic truth today, but law enforcement line of duty deaths is an unfortunate reality that many organizations find themselves having to navigate. As we come out of National Police Week and the celebration of National Peace Officers Memorial Day, we wanted to take a closer look at the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team and help identify ways to assist during those devastating events.

Les Kerr has served as Team Leader/State Coordinator for the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team since 2010. As Team Leader, he oversees the regular activities of the team and works with as many as 20 volunteers on the team to assist law enforcement agencies and families with line of duty deaths (LODD). Les is the primary contact for agencies and families to ensure continuity and is responsible for introducing them to outside organizations that the Team partners with who are also there to assist them through this difficult time. He regularly presents to law enforcement associations and agencies on how best to prepare for a LODD and how the Team can assist them when tragedy strikes. Les has served in law enforcement and criminal justice for over 23 years with various agencies.

This episode is sponsored by Justice Federal Credit Union: Serving Justice Across the Nation.

For more information visit FBINAA Landing Page

 This dynamic and interactive topic is designed for law enforcement professionals aspiring to enhance their leadership capabilities within their agencies. "Building a Leadership Blueprint for Law Enforcement Agencies" provides participants with the tools and insights necessary to develop a comprehensive leadership strategy that aligns with the unique needs of their service environments.

Jeff McCutchen is a devoted husband to Cassie and proud father to two wonderful girls, Lillie and Baylor. With a commitment to public service, Jeff has dedicated 22 years to law enforcement, holding various roles including Jailer, Patrol Officer, DUI Officer, SWAT Team Commander, Investigator, Negotiator, Major of Operations, and Chief of Police. He is a proud graduate from the FBI National Academy, Session 257, in 2014.