In this engaging podcast series hosted by Thomas Canavan, the Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Museum, we examine the vital role that law enforcement think tanks and policy centers play in shaping contemporary policing practices. Each episode features in-depth interviews with leading experts in the field, exploring their insights, research, and the innovative strategies they advocate to enhance public safety and community engagement.

Chris, a former law enforcement officer with 28 years at the Mountain View Police Department and later undersheriff in San Mateo County, shared insights into his leadership journey and current role as Executive Director of The Curve, an initiative founded by Simon Sinek. Drawing inspiration from Silicon Valley’s culture of innovation, Chris emphasized the importance of human-centered leadership in law enforcement. He discussed how The Curve aims to reshape police culture by promoting vulnerability, communication, and continuous learning, shifting the focus from traditional enforcement to “protecting the vulnerable.”

The conversation explored how The Curve engages early adopters and innovative thinkers in policing, using principles from the law of diffusion of innovation to inspire gradual cultural change. Chris highlighted the growing importance of interpersonal skills, responsible use of technology like AI, and trust-building with communities. The Curve offers free resources, webinars, and outreach events designed to supplement—not replace—existing training by adding a vital human dimension to law enforcement. The goal is to foster a more empathetic, effective, and community-oriented police culture across the country.

View the Museum's Public Program page to learn more about each participant.

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

Precinct 444 invites you to meet the artists featured in the National Law Enforcement Museum’s newest exhibit, “Officers as Artists: The Creative Expression of Those Who Serve.” Now open until August 30, 2025.

In today’s episode, you will meet Michael Johnson, who has been with the Billings (MT) Police Department since 2012. Michael became certified in bike patrol, served as a Field Training Officer, Taser Instructor, a Baton Instructor, a Defensive Tactics Instructor, and taught a handcuffing program for the department for the last five years. He became a detective two years ago and is also trained as a Forensic Interviewer. Art was always in the back of his mind and he constantly had projects brewing.

"Art is a great way to take my mind off of the stress of the job. Focusing on a project, or even just sketching out some ideas, really helps remind me that I have an outlet away from my full time work."

Other Content

• Officers as Artists Exhibit

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

On this episode of Encore, we’ll look back at a special program hosted by the National Law Enforcement Museum featuring experts and individuals directly involved with the Boston Marathon Bombing investigation. Each panelist shares their perspective and involvement in the case, along with the type of technology used to track down the perpetrators and bring the case to a close.

The Encore series of the Precinct 444 Podcast is an engaging look back at past Museum programs to find insight into historical and contemporary matters facing law enforcement.

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

Precinct 444 invites you to meet the artists featured in the National Law Enforcement Museum’s newest exhibit, “Officers as Artists: The Creative Expression of Those Who Serve.” Now open until August 30, 2025.

In today’s episode, you will meet Todd "TC" Brown, who retired after serving more than 20 years with the Bureau of Prisons. He began his career as a correctional officer and worked his way up to an Intelligence Analyst assigned to the BOP Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU). TC served on a number of teams including Hostage Negotiations, Evidence Recovery, Counter Terrorism, and more. I was an instructor for Correctional Services, Special Investigations, Hostage Negotiations, Evidence Recovery Photography, as well as Domestic & International Terrorism. TC will discuss his photograph, “Birds at Sunset” and his law enforcement career.

Other Content

• Officers as Artists Exhibit

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

On this special episode of Lifeline, we’re joined by Arthur Flattich, a Managing Vice President at MissionSquare Retirement, which focuses on financial services for public sector retirement planning. Joining him are Bill Alexander, CEO of the NLEOMF and Troy Anderson, Executive Director of Officer Safety and Wellness at the NLEOMF. Bill, Troy, and Arthur will discuss the importance of financial planning in the law enforcement profession, how saving and planning early is best, and some of the challenges facing young officers and what to do to overcome them.

Lifeline provides content with a holistic wellness approach focused on supporting American law enforcement. This programming is intended to make it safer for those who serve, keeping names off the Memorial walls, and to share best practices to promote overall resilience and survivability.

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

Precinct 444 invites you to meet the artists featured in the National Law Enforcement Museum’s newest exhibit, “Officers as Artists: The Creative Expression of Those Who Serve.” Now open until August 30, 2025.

In today’s episode, you will meet Lee Darnell, who has served for more than 30 years in law enforcement. He is currently a Sergeant and the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Pitt County Sheriff's Office in Greenville, North Carolina. He will discuss his photograph, “Rider of the Storm” and his law enforcement career.

Other Content

• Officers as Artists Exhibit

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

In this episode, we look back on the riot at Attica in 1971, as it remains the worst prison riot in American history, and scholars and criminal justice professionals alike, continue to look to the lessons of Attica when addressing crucial criminal justice and prison reform in the United States. We discuss the Attica Prison riot, the lessons that were learned in the wake of the riot, and its lasting impact on law enforcement and the American prison system.

Law and Disorder is an insightful take on the true crime world, looking at notable historic cases that have left a lasting effect on law enforcement.

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

Precinct 444 invites you to meet the artists featured in the National Law Enforcement Museum’s newest exhibit, “Officers as Artists: The Creative Expression of Those Who Serve.” Now open until August 30, 2025.

In today’s episode, you will meet Larry Boody, who retired from the Bridgewater Township Police Department in New Jersey, having spent 25 years as a firearms instructor, department armorer, police motorcycle operator, field training officer, sex offender compliance officer, alcoholic beverage control officer, and lastly, a forensic artist. He will discuss his photograph, “Still Life with Bagpipes” which is on display in the exhibit, and talk about his experience as a forensic artist.

Other Content

• Officers as Artists Exhibit

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

The Encore series of the Precinct 444 Podcast is an engaging look back at past Museum programs to find insight into historical and contemporary matters facing law enforcement.

In this episode, a revisit of a 2011 Witness to History program, discuss the violent events at Attica Correctional Facility. Scholars and participants are still unravelling the fallout and meaning of the 1971 Attica prison riot.

This program has been split into two parts. Part 1 details the growing concerns of prisons across the United States leading up to the Attica Prison Riot, including detailed, first-hand accounts of the early moments by Attica corrections officers, Michael Smith and Donald Almeter. Part 2 continues the experiences of those corrections officers and additional comments from historian and author, Heather Ann Thompson.

Part 2 also includes an audio recording between then Governor Nelson Rockefeller and former President Richard Nixon. 

Featuring:

• Frank Bond, Former anchor at WUSA-TV in Washington, DC
• Donald Almeter, corrections officer at Attica Prison
• Michael Smith, corrections officer at Attica Prison
• Heather Ann Thompson, professor of African-American Studies and History at Temple University, author of Blood In The Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and its Legacy

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/

The Encore series of the Precinct 444 Podcast is an engaging look back at past Museum programs to find insight into historical and contemporary matters facing law enforcement.

In this episode, a revisit of a 2011 Witness to History program, discuss the violent events at Attica Correctional Facility. Scholars and participants are still unravelling the fallout and meaning of the 1971 Attica prison riot.

This program has been split into two parts. Part 1 details the growing concerns of prisons across the United States leading up to the Attica Prison Riot, including detailed, first-hand accounts of the early moments by Attica corrections officers, Michael Smith and Donald Almeter. Part 2 continues the experiences of those corrections officers and additional comments from historian and author, Heather Ann Thompson.

Part 2 also includes an audio recording between then Governor Nelson Rockefeller and former President Richard Nixon. 

Featuring:

• Frank Bond, Former anchor at WUSA-TV in Washington, DC
• Donald Almeter, corrections officer at Attica Prison
• Michael Smith, corrections officer at Attica Prison
• Heather Ann Thompson, professor of African-American Studies and History at Temple University, author of Blood In The Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and its Legacy

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/