DEVIANT

Policing, PTSD and the Price of Service


Listen Later

Former cop, detective and firearms instructor Glen Williams sits down with host Andrew Iden to talk about what the job really does to people—and how to survive it. This is a candid conversation about trauma (on the street, at home, and inside the chain of command), the cases that stick with you, and why talking about it might be the only way through. If you work in law enforcement, EMS, fire, dispatch—or you cover crime—you’ll feel this one.

GET GLEN'S BOOK: https://a.co/d/3cL2kgw

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • How a beat cop becomes a detective—and what actually makes a good one
  • “Leadership trauma” vs. “relationship trauma” vs. “experiential trauma”
  • Nightmares, gallows humor, overworking, and the slow creep of PTSD
  • What departments get right (and wrong) about “officer wellness”
  • Why community rapport solves cases
  • The most realistic cop shows (yes, NYPD Blue gets love)
  • ABOUT THE GUEST:

    Glen Williams is a retired law enforcement officer (patrol, detectives, firearms/SWAT instructor). He wrote Bridging the Gap about mental health in policing and appears in the documentary Is There Something Going On at Home? Find the book on major retailers.


    JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

    If you’re LEO/first responder/journalist: How do you cope—and what actually helps? Drop your tools, routines, or resources below. We’ll highlight thoughtful replies.

    SUPPORT & RESOURCES:

    If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or local peer-support resources.

    NEW HERE?

    Subscribe for long-form, straight-talk conversations about crime, policing, and the people inside the system.

    JOIN OUR PATREON: http://www.deviantpodcast.com

    Visit DEVIANT's socials:

    http://www.instagram.com/deviant.podcast

    http://www.tiktok.com/@deviant.podcast

    Copyright 2025 Cold Open Media LLC

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    DEVIANTBy Cold Open Media

    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5

    4.5

    605 ratings


    More shows like DEVIANT

    View all
    True Crime Bullsh** by Studio BOTH/AND

    True Crime Bullsh**

    5,093 Listeners

    Culpable by Tenderfoot TV & Audacy

    Culpable

    22,304 Listeners

    The Binge Cases: Where is Daniel Morcombe? by Sony Music Entertainment

    The Binge Cases: Where is Daniel Morcombe?

    4,227 Listeners

    Defense Diaries by Defense Diaries

    Defense Diaries

    2,150 Listeners

    Truer Crime by Celisia Stanton

    Truer Crime

    2,529 Listeners

    The Binge Crimes: Hunting The Bogeyman by Sony Music Entertainment

    The Binge Crimes: Hunting The Bogeyman

    3,205 Listeners

    Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse by ID

    Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse

    1,756 Listeners

    What Happened to Talina Zar by iHeartPodcasts

    What Happened to Talina Zar

    1,761 Listeners

    Very Scary People by ID

    Very Scary People

    3,844 Listeners

    Somewhere in the Pines by Studio BOTH/AND

    Somewhere in the Pines

    520 Listeners

    Murder on Songbird Road by iHeartPodcasts

    Murder on Songbird Road

    623 Listeners

    Up and Vanished Weekly by Tenderfoot TV

    Up and Vanished Weekly

    551 Listeners

    Blink | Jake Haendel's Story by Sony Music, Corinne Vien, Jacob Haendel

    Blink | Jake Haendel's Story

    6,971 Listeners

    My Friend Daisy by iHeartPodcasts

    My Friend Daisy

    474 Listeners

    SEQUESTERED Podcast by Road Trip Studios

    SEQUESTERED Podcast

    769 Listeners