In this episode of Seven Points, hosts Warren Trent and Sgt. Kameron Lee kicks off Season Two from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Heritage Museum. Joined by a historic backdrop that includes the iconic 1931 Model A patrol car, they welcome Trooper Misty Van Tassel, AZDPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Coordinator, to share her journey and insights.

Misty opens up about her Arizona roots, her family’s long history with AZDPS, and her decision to pursue a law enforcement career later in life. From starting at the academy at age 40 to patrolling Phoenix’s busiest night shifts, Misty brings firsthand experience of the challenges troopers face both on and off duty. Her unique background, which includes a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, has positioned her to lead wellness efforts across the department.

Listeners will hear how the EAP and wellness programs are expanding to support employees in areas of mental, physical, and emotional health. Misty highlights available resources, peer support, and the importance of breaking stigma around seeking help.

Seven Points thanks the AZDPS Heritage Museum (ahpdpsmuseum.org) for hosting this episode and supporting the conversation on employee wellness and resilience. 

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It’s hard to believe, but we’re already on Episode 18 of Seven Points! Join us as we wrap up Season 1 and welcome the new Public Information Supervisor, Sgt. Kameron Lee! In this episode, we’ll dive into Sgt. Lee’s experiences in the Highway Patrol Division, his previous time with the Public Affairs Unit (PAU), and how his career path has brought him full circle back to the PAU!

We’ve explored the AZDPS Aviation Bureau in two previous episodes—hearing from a paramedic and a fixed-wing pilot—but now it’s time to take to the skies with one of our helicopter pilots. Meet State Trooper/Pilot Kenan Bahadir, one of our rotary-wing (helicopter) pilots. In this episode, he shares the experiences that led him to this career path, along with another passion he brings to the job: using his camera skills and social media to promote the Department and our Aviation Bureau!

Most people take for granted that law enforcement radios will work whenever they’re needed. In reality, a dedicated team of technicians is working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep that vital communications equipment up and running. Enter Radio Tower Supervisor Zach Watzke! He and his team ensure the AZDPS—and many other government agencies across Arizona—have clear, reliable communication when it matters most. Tune in as Zach shares what led him to this career, what keeps him going, and much more.

As the primary agency responsible for patrolling and enforcing laws on Arizona's highways and interstates, AZDPS troopers regularly respond to major collisions involving serious injuries or fatalities. Depending on the circumstances, the involved driver(s) may face criminal charges, especially when impairment is involved. This is when our Vehicular Crimes Unit (VCU) detectives step in, utilizing a foundation of math and science to piece the evidence together, helping ensure justice for the victims. In this episode, Detective Zach Cousins talks about the methods utilized by our detectives and shares his experiences in VCU and throughout the department.

We've discussed our rescue helicopters on the show before, but did you know the AZDPS also operates a small fleet of fixed-wing airplanes?  From getting detectives to critical incident scenes to transporting the governor to her next event, this unit helps state employees save valuable time traveling all over Arizona. In this episode you’ll hear from one of our longest tenured state troopers, Frank Valenzuela, the chief fixed-wing pilot for AZDPS!

Detectives commonly work with squads of other detectives, but did you know they have another teammate who works alongside them every day in their cases?  Criminal Intelligence Analysts and Intelligence Research Specialists are core members of every investigative team, and Tracy Foster has been doing it for years. Hear her story as she talks about what these critical members of the AZDPS team do and how you can be an integral part of a criminal case without ever going to a police academy!

It is not secret that those who choose law enforcement as a career face risks regularly on the job.  There are a select few, though, who spend years in very specialized training to become members of one of the riskiest units in law enforcement - the bomb squad.  Join us as we have a conversation with AZDPS' currently longest-serving hazardous device technician, Sergeant Tony Vazquez!  Tony shares what it means to be a member of this elite unit, and what he did before he got here.  

Did you know the AZDPS operates multiple rescue helicopters statewide? In this episode we speak with Trooper Paramedic Mike Snyder, a longstanding crew member on our Ranger rescue helicopters. He shares what it takes to be a part of the AZDPS Aviation Bureau, his most memorable rescue, and life as a member of this elite unit. 

Most AZDPS troopers patrol in vehicles with doors and four wheels, but a select few are destined for a different kind of ride. 🏍️ From their vehicles to their uniforms, AZDPS motorcycle troopers—otherwise known as 'motors'—are truly set apart. Tune in to today’s episode as we chat with Trooper John Simon about the unique opportunities and challenges of being a motor!