Policing In America

David A. Klinger is a professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a researcher of deadly force, and the author of Into the Kill Zone: A Cop's Eye View of Deadly Force,

His publications are numerous and a simple Google search will reveal several incredible papers and articles penned by Prof Klinger.

I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I enjoyed recording it!

This episode I had the honor of speaking with the wonderful and amazing Marlee Liss. Marlee is single-handedly changing how justice looks and feels - depsite centuries of traditional punishment systems. Marlee's work has been featured in Forbes, Huff Post, Buzzfeed, the Mel Robbins Show and more. As an award-winning speaker, she's delivered talks for: National Sexual Assault Conference, Vanderbilt University, University of Toronto, Action Trauma Summit, Women's Mental Health Conference at Yale and more. Her story was made into a documentary directed by Kelsey Darragh titled, 'The Limits of Forgiveness,' and her book on re-imagining justice will be released with Penguin Random House in Spring 2027. Learn more at @marleeliss and @survivors4justicereform

learn more about Marlee and support her work here:

instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marleeliss/

https://www.instagram.com/survivors4justicereform/

https://www.marleeliss.com/speaking

https://www.survivors4justicereform.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Professor Steven James of Washington State University to explore one of the most overlooked variables in modern policing: sleep.

We talk about what happens when human physiology collides with high-stakes decision-making — and how chronic fatigue quietly shapes reaction time, emotional regulation, judgment, and public safety outcomes.

If we demand professionalism, restraint, and precision from officers, are we designing systems that support those expectations — or undermine them?

This conversation challenges leaders to rethink accountability, scheduling, and what evidence-based policing really requires.

https://medicine.wsu.edu/directory/wsu-profile/stevejames/

In this episode we speak with James Bueermann. Chief Jim Bueermann (ret.) is the Founder and President of the Future Policing Institute, a think tank dedicated to advancing policing that is effective, empathetic and just. He has been involved in various aspects of policing since 1978. From 1978 to 2011 he was a member of the Redlands Police Department (CA). His last 13 years with the RPD he served as the Chief of Police and Director of Housing, Recreation and Senior Services. After his retirement in 2011, he worked for a year for the USDOJ, National Institute of Justice as an Executive Fellow. In 2012 he was appointed the president of the National Police Foundation (now the National Policing Institute), America's oldest non-partisan, non-profit police research organization. He retired from the Foundation in late 2018.

James now runs the Future Policing Institute and what he has to say about policing and the future is sure to excite and scare you!

In this gripping episode, I sit down with Rashmi Airan, whose fall from grace exposed the quiet power of rationalization, cultural pressure, and the slow erosion of integrity. From the courtroom to a prison camp, Rashmi's story is a masterclass in how smart people can make devastating choices—and how redemption starts with radical honesty.

For law enforcement professionals, this isn't just a cautionary tale—it's a mirror.

We explore:

• The slippery slope of "just this once"

• How ethical drift sneaks into every profession

• Why accountability isn't about punishment—it's about prevention

• And what it really means to lead with values when no one's watching

If you think it can't happen to you... tune in.

Former CIA counterterrorism officer Michele Rigby Assad joins us to talk espionage, fear, intuition, and how to own your presence in the world's most dangerous places. This isn't Jason Bourne, because that's Hollywood. Michele lived that life without any safety nets. Often times she was alone and her only "weapons" were her abilities to read the situation and make the best decisions available; to get off the X and act.

You can find Michele here https://michelerigbyassad.com/

You can fund her book here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=get+off+the+x+book&adgrpid=1344705197077485&hvadid=84044349456447&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=48792&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84045198700376%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22537_13494504&mcid=2777b98fad5c3c2ea27572c6945247d4&msclkid=0e7c973bfdb31a839009f0cc4539e9cc&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_2fznzhylmu_e

In this episode, Sgt Tom sits down with Professor, philosopher, and martial artist Barry Lam to unpack the hidden costs of rule-heavy systems in high-stakes professions like policing. Together, they explore why too many rules can actually undermine judgment, initiative, and moral reasoning on the front lines. From the ethics of discretion to the neuroscience of decision-making, this conversation challenges the idea that more policy equals better outcomes. What if better training in judgment—not more rules—is the key to better policing? Tune in for a conversation that bridges street-level experience with deep philosophical insight.

Find Barry here https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-lam-54ba0b15/

Find Barry's book here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fewer+rules+better+people&crid=2DTXP9X3R0OP9&sprefix=fewer%2Caps%2C286&ref=nb_sb_ss_mvt-t9-ranker_1_5

Listen to Barry's podcast here https://hiphination.org/

In this we hear from a former FBI Cyber Special Agent who pulls back the curtain on how data can be a game-changer in the fight against crime—but also reveals the startling ways many police agencies are getting it wrong. Our conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities of leveraging data for public safety. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a law enforcement professional, or just curious about the intersection of technology and justice, this episode will leave you with a new perspective on the power—and potential missteps—of data in modern policing.

Ret. Captain Christine Collins is a decorated veteran and trauma nurse during a pivotal deployment to Afghanistan in 2009. Stationed at Bagram Air Base, she found herself at the epicenter of the conflict, tirelessly working to save the lives of American troops, Afghan civilians caught in the crossfire, and even enemy fighters.

Through her raw and poignant memoir, Christine unveils the physical and emotional toll of war, not just on those fighting but also on the medical personnel tasked with picking up the pieces. Her amazing book titled Service Honor and Sacrifice can be found on Amazon, Audible, or wherever you purchase your books. Christine is a truly amazing woman and after spending some time with her I can tell you this - I am glad she is on our side! Tough, intelligent, and unstoppable.