Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts

A retired NYPD Detective, hostage negotiator, and intelligence specialist joins the show to break down his most intense cases from more than two decades in New York City. From the Bronx during its "burning" era to chasing Russian organized crime, handling nearly 100 homicides a year, investigating infant crimes, and navigating high‑risk hostage situations — Sal Lifrieri career is a masterclass in street survival, crisis response, and investigative grit.

We also dive into his transition to the NYC Office of Emergency Management, where he helped build the city's chemical and biological terrorism plans, and later became Director of Security & Intelligence Operations. Sal shares bizarre calls, emotionally disturbed person encounters, inter‑agency battles, and the tactical mindset that kept his team alive in the most dangerous square mile in America.

Sal's Website - https://pccsecure.com/author/slifrieripccsecure-com/

Contact Steve - [email protected] Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@TheSergeantSteve⁩

Dive into the intense, bizarre, and unfiltered world of law enforcement with host Steve Gould on Things Police See. In this episode, Steve sits down with retired Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith, who spent 29 years policing the relentless Chicago metro area.

As one of the pioneering female officers of the early 1980s, Betsy shares the raw reality of breaking into a male-dominated field, navigating systemic hazing, and turning her perspective into a tactical advantage. From the psychological adrenaline dump of her very first rookie homicide scene to a mind-boggling, bizarre medical emergency, Betsy tells it all.

She also takes us deep undercover into a high-stakes 1980s cocaine sting where quick, life-or-death thinking was the only thing that saved her and her partner. Now a spokesmen for the National Police Association, Betsy discusses the current state of law enforcement staffing shortages, the flaws in modern recruitment initiatives, and why finding a community that backs the blue is crucial for the next generation of officers.

Support the National Police Association https://nationalpolice.org/

Contact Steve - [email protected] Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

In this episode of Things Police See, host Steve Gould sits down with retired NYPD veteran George Sichler for an unforgettable look into the world of elite law enforcement special operations. Serving 20 years with the nation's largest police force, George transitioned from the intense "meat grinder" patrol blocks of NYC to the high-stakes NYPD Harbor and Scuba teams.

George shares incredible firsthand accounts of what it's like to drop from helicopters into pitch-black waters, executive life-or-death maritime rescues miles offshore, and navigate zero-visibility "black water" recovery missions. He also reveals a fascinating look at his post-career opportunities, including his time in Hollywood training Keanu Reeves for John Wick (and the true story behind the famous "Wick flick").

From surviving the chaos of New York City patrol to his current role in emergency preparedness with Mira Safety, George's insights offer masterclass advice on career longevity, the power of professional networking, and never-ending training.

Mira Safety - www.mirasafety.com DISCOUNT CODE "TPS10" George's Book - www.georgesichler.com

Contact Steve - [email protected]

Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055

In this powerful episode, hosts Steve and Ken Roybal sit down with Andrew Gonzalez, a 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) who spent the majority of his career working the intense 77th Street Division and specialized gang units.

Andrew pulls back the curtain on the evolution of modern street gangs, revealing how social media and encrypted applications have shifted criminal enterprises into highly sophisticated, clandestine corporate-style structures. He drops hard-hitting truths about the daily realities of policing in South Central, what it feels like to face a loaded gun in a split-second shootout, and the harrowing side of responding to violent crime scenes.

Beyond the tactical talk, this interview explores the heavy mental health toll of law enforcement. Andrew opens up about his personal battles with PTSD, depression, and human suffering, sparking an important conversation with Ken (himself a retired LAPD veteran) on the critical importance of modern police resiliency programs, mental health resources, and catching trauma before it overflows.

Tune in to hear an authentic, raw perspective on the human being behind the badge, the undeniable power of a strong family unit, and how Andrew is now giving back through his first-responder business, Battle Cry Gear.

Check out Andrew's high-quality first responder EDC gear: https://battlecrygear.com

Contact Steve - [email protected]

Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055

Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

In this episode of Things Police See, host Steve Gould sits down with former detective and author Kevin Grogan. From his early days at Westfield State to his high-stakes career with the Savannah-Chatham Metro PD, Kevin shares firsthand accounts of the "greatest show on earth."

Kevin discusses his time on the ATF Task Force, Narcotics, and his deeply personal journey through Homicide investigations. He opens up about the adrenaline of solving murders and the heavy emotional weight that led him to write his trilogy, including his latest book: No Greater Honor, No Bigger Failure.

Kevin's Latest Book - https://a.co/d/06I8SFZV

Contact Steve - [email protected]

Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055

Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Captain Scott Brown, a veteran of the New York State Police with a decorated 32-year career. From his early days as a young trooper to his 18-year tenure as a Captain and SWAT commander, Scott shares firsthand accounts of the most intense and bizarre calls in his history.

We dive into a harrowing story of survival on the Newberg-Beacon Bridge, the chilling details of the 1996 Jennifer Bolduc and Sarah Hajney investigation, and a high-stakes tactical standoff with a double homicide suspect. Scott also opens up about the lighter side of the job, including a miraculous rescue in a New York swamp that highlights the incredible will to survive.

Whether you are an active officer, a retiree, or someone interested in the reality of law enforcement and tactical operations, this interview offers a deep look into the mental and physical demands of the badge.

Contact Scott - [email protected]

Contact Steve - [email protected]

Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055

Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

Reasons We Serve

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpZRETIomuKamZC30nUBKkg

In this episode of Things Police See, host Steve Gould welcomes back the legendary Lt. Joe Kenda, the "Homicide Hunter" and host of American Detective. With a career solving 387 homicides and maintaining a staggering 93% solve rate, Kenda dives deep into the reality of criminal investigation—far beyond the Hollywood myths of car chases and gun battles.

Joe Kenda shares candid stories about his journey from a "college boy" rookie to a Lieutenant of Detectives in Colorado Springs. He discusses the intense emotional toll of the job, his unwavering mission to seek justice for victims, and the "2%" of humanity that keeps law enforcement on the streets. Whether you're a fan of ID Channel's Homicide Hunter, a true crime enthusiast, or interested in the raw reality of law enforcement, this interview provides an unfiltered look into the mind of one of America's most famous detectives.

Reasons We Serve - Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpZRETIomuKamZC30nUBKkg

Contact Steve - [email protected] Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

In this intense and insightful episode, host Steve Gould sits down with Adam Miller, a veteran lawman with over 17 years of experience across the Pacific Northwest and Big Sky Country. From his 13 years at the Benton County Sheriff's Office in Oregon to his current role as a State Investigator in Montana, Adam shares the raw reality of life behind the badge.

Adam recounts a harrowing high-risk traffic stop involving a subject with a shotgun on his birthday and takes us inside a chaotic officer-involved shooting from 2012 that changed the way his agency viewed medical gear like tourniquets and QuickClot. Beyond the high-stress calls, Adam shares the "bizarre" side of the job—including a burglary involving a $20,000 nude statue and a run-in with a man claiming to be the love child of JFK and Marilyn Monroe.

To close, Adam offers profound advice for the next generation of officers on maintaining mental health, the importance of "phone-a-friend" in the field, and why you should always take more photos of the people you work with.

Contact Steve - [email protected]

Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055

Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

Reasons We Serve

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpZRETIomuKamZC30nUBKkg

In this intense episode of Things Police See, host Steve Gould sits down with the "Homicide Hunter" himself, Lieutenant Joe Kenda. With a career spanning 23 years at the Colorado Springs Police Department and a staggering 92% solve rate over 387 murder cases, Kenda shares firsthand accounts of the cases that defined his career and the transition from the streets to stardom on Investigation Discovery.

Joe dives deep into his early days as a patrolman in the 1970s, recounting his first "hot call" and the chilling reality of investigating nearly 400 murders. We discuss the psychological toll of the job, his take on PTSD, and why he finds storytelling to be his greatest form of therapy. Plus, Joe gives us a preview of his book, Killer Triggers, exploring the "why" behind violent crimes, including a shocking case involving dementia-induced psychosis.

Whether you're a fan of Homicide Hunter, American Detective, or a law enforcement professional looking for veteran advice, this interview offers a raw, unfiltered look at the reality of police work and the "greatest show on earth."

Contact Steve - [email protected] Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

Retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant and bestselling author Patrick O'Donnell returns to Things Police See for a raw, no-filter conversation about his early days on the job. From his very first week—nearly shooting a suspect and witnessing open-heart massage on a dying man—to patrolling districts that mixed million-dollar lakefront mansions with some of the city's most violent neighborhoods, Patrick shares the unvarnished reality of big-city policing during the crack era.

The Rookie Years - Patrick's latest book https://a.co/d/02dzfbNZ

Reasons We Serve Podcast https://youtube.com/@reasonsweserve?si=799-ZHsMLq4pDoQp

Contact Steve - [email protected] Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today!https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@UCuobtuGxJny9V5lX5a1ieuw