Advertise on podcast: Policing Matters

Law enforcement has never had more information at its fingertips. From BOLOs and fusion center updates to emails, radio traffic and crime bulletins, today’s officers operate in a constant stream of inputs. But volume doesn’t equal value. The central challenge is no longer access — it’s relevance. As agencies grapple with staffing shortages and rising demands, the question becomes urgent: How do you ensure critical intelligence reaches the right person in time to act? In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Matt White, CEO and co-founder of Multitude Insights, about why modern policing doesn’t need more data — it needs better intelligence flow. Drawing on his background in military intelligence, White explains how agencies can move beyond overloaded inboxes and disconnected bulletins by adopting systems that prioritize and personalize information delivery. He discusses how platforms like Multitude Insights’ BLTN surface relevant intelligence based on an officer’s role, location and emerging crime patterns, while also identifying connections across jurisdictions that might otherwise go unnoticed. About our sponsor This episode is sponsored by BLTN, Powered by Multitude Insights. Better bulletins solve crimes. BLTN is the nationwide intelligence-sharing platform built by law enforcement, for law enforcement. One centralized system to create, distribute, and analyze bulletins—connecting agencies in real time so critical intel reaches the right people when it matters most. No more inbox sprawl, no more missed leads—just faster coordination and better outcomes. Visit multitudeinsights.com to see how agencies are closing more cases, faster.

Policing Matters podcast host and deputy chief Jim Dudley (ret.) paid a visit to Axon Week 2026 to get an exclusive look at some of the revolutionary advancements in public safety technology and the thought leaders and technology experts making them happen. In this special episode, sponsored by Axon, Dudley sits down with Jeff Kunins, chief product officer and chief technology officer of Axon. Their discussion examines how Axon is integrating AI and connected technologies to streamline routine police work, improve real-time awareness and enhance officer safety, while emphasizing interoperability and human oversight to ensure responsible use. About our sponsor This episode of Policing Matters is sponsored by Axon – the global leader in public safety technology. Discover how Axon is empowering first responders with innovative tools and training to build safer communities and protect more lives in more places at axon.com.  

Patrol work starts long before the call. From the moment an officer begins their shift, every decision — what to prioritize, how to respond and when to slow down — can impact outcomes for officers and the public alike. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Sergeant John Banner of the White Settlement (Texas) Police Department to break down the critical thinking that happens behind the wheel. From managing competing demands like ALPR hits and priority calls to navigating fatigue, technology and pursuit decisions, this episode explores how officers maintain situational awareness and make sound judgments under pressure. Sgt. Banner shares practical insights on preparing mentally for shift, using technology effectively and coaching the next generation of officers — all while balancing the realities of modern policing. About our guest Sgt. John C. Banner is from Mineral Wells, Texas, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Tarleton State University. He joined the White Settlement (Texas) Police Department in 2012 and has served in a variety of roles throughout his career, including detective, corporal, POA president and vice president, and SWAT operator. He currently serves as a night patrol sergeant and has also completed a rotation in the department’s Street Crimes Division. Banner is a graduate of the ILEA 146th School of Police Supervision and has been recognized for his service with the Medal of Valor and two lifesaving awards. In 2024, he was also featured on “America’s Most Wanted with John Walsh” (Season 2, Episode 4). About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

Police training is designed to push limits — physically, mentally and emotionally. But when the culture of grit outpaces medical awareness and safeguards, the consequences can be irreversible. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley and fitness expert Traci Tauferner examine the risks embedded in high-intensity academy training, the gaps in concussion recognition and the responsibility leaders carry to protect recruits without compromising readiness. From hydration and baseline testing to psychological support and instructor training, the episode delivers a practical look at how academies can better identify risk and intervene before a routine drill becomes a tragedy. About our guest Traci Tauferner is an athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist with extensive experience supporting law enforcement, military and public safety personnel. As the director of industrial and tactical medicine at Advanced Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, she works with agencies and municipalities to design and implement programs focused on injury prevention, performance optimization and recovery. Her approach blends clinical expertise with real-world operational demands, helping departments build healthier, more resilient workforces. Connect with her: LinkedIn Instagram About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

Real time crime centers are no longer a novelty — they are quickly becoming a core part of modern policing. But as agencies invest in cameras, drones, license plate readers and data platforms, a critical question remains: Are these centers actually delivering results, or just generating more data? In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks to Amarillo Regional Crime Center Commander Shane Chadwick about how success depends less on technology alone and more on how agencies integrate, share and use it. Chadwick’s approach in Amarillo started with a rare advantage — a clean slate. With no legacy systems to untangle, his team built an integrated tech stack aligned to real-world workflows, focused on supporting officers in the field. The result is a regional model where shared platforms, real time data access and high user adoption drive measurable outcomes. Instead of relying solely on traditional metrics like crime rates, Chadwick points to usage — tens of thousands of searches per month — and rapid case breakthroughs, including multi-state investigations solved in hours, as proof that the system is working. About our sponsor Peregrine transforms fragmented, siloed information into clear context and actions that move your organization forward. Trusted by hundreds of agencies worldwide, Peregrine maximizes the impact of your real time crime center by centralizing and organizing historical and real time data, making it readily accessible and actionable in the moments that matter most. Visit peregrine.io to learn how your organization can get started.

As agencies face an unprecedented surge in digital evidence — from body-worn cameras and surveillance systems to cell phones and social media — the question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to use it responsibly. In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley explores how AI can help investigators manage evidence at scale, streamline time-consuming processes and improve case outcomes while keeping decision-making firmly in human hands. Dudley is joined by Kelly Inabnett, a former sex crimes and human trafficking detective with the Antioch Police Department, and Jon Gacek, senior vice president and general manager of Veritone’s public sector business unit. Drawing on investigative and technology perspectives, they break down how evidence volume has evolved over the past two decades, where investigators are losing time, and how AI can assist with tasks like video analysis, data organization, redaction and case linkage — without compromising accuracy, oversight or trust.   About our guests   Jon Gacek is currently SVP and General Manager of Veritone’s Public Sector business unit since 2018.Prior to joining to Veritone, Gacek served numerous executive roles including President and CEO of Quantum, EVP, CFO, and COO of Advanced Digital Information Corp. (ADIC) and was also an audit partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and led the Technology Practice in the firm’s Seattle Office. While at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, he assisted several private equity investment firms with a number of mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and other transactions.   Kelly Inabnett is a former sex crimes and human trafficking detective with the Antioch (California) Police Department. During Kelly’s nine-year tenure with Antioch PD, he was tasked with providing department training on proper response to sexual assault, crimes against children and to recognize the signs of human trafficking. Kelly specialized in forensic interviews, cell phone downloads, social media information, pre-text phone calls and cold cases. While working cases involving children sexual abused material (CSAM), human trafficking, and assisting in other major crimes, he has spent more than a thousand hours combing through digital evidence which could have been cut down to a fraction of the time with an effective digital evidence management system leveraging artificial intelligence. Prior to joining Antioch PD, Kelly also worked with Contra Costa County Sheriffs as a deputy in the county jail. Kelly brings his experience to Veritone to help detectives leverage AI to solve cases efficiently and effectively to spend their time where it is most needed. About our sponsor Veritone designs human-centered AI solutions. Since 2014, the people at Veritone have focused on building enterprise AI solutions and applications that solve problems for its customers in the public sector. Veritone's blend of expertise and technology helps organizations spend less time on repetitive tasks so they can focus on what matters –– protecting and serving their communities. Veritone Public Sector enables teams in law enforcement, government and public safety to streamline manual identification and redaction efforts and accelerate audio and video processing with intelligent automation. Veritone is proud to enable public servants at all levels to turn data into action that helps keep people safe and improves life for everyone in the community. For more information, visit veritone.com/public-sector.  

Every agency talks about tactics — training harder, shooting better, moving faster. But when critical incidents unfold, the difference between success and failure often comes down to something less visible. On this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Jon Becker, founder of Aardvark Tactical and host of The Debrief podcast, about why culture — not tactics — is the true driver of elite performance in law enforcement. Drawing on nearly four decades working alongside elite military and law enforcement units, Becker explains how the best teams operate with a shared sense of purpose, humility and continuous improvement. From SWAT selection to patrol supervision, he breaks down how agencies often overvalue measurable skills like fitness and certifications while overlooking the traits that sustain performance — trust, communication and team alignment. As Becker prepares to release his book, “Culture First: Nine Leadership Principles That Build Elite Teams,” he outlines how leaders at every level can build teams that make better decisions under pressure, avoid toxic high performers and create a culture where accountability and initiative thrive.  

Editor’s Note: Join Lexipol, Police1 and our partners for First Responder Wellness Week from March 23-27, 2026. Each day, we’ll provide webinars, articles, videos and more, all within the overarching theme of being “Total Wellness. True Readiness.” Register for five wellness webinars now. We say it all the time — our people are our greatest asset. But if that’s true, why do we spend more time maintaining vehicles than we do maintaining the people driving them? In this special episode of the Policing Matters episode, Aaron Zamzow from FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift podcast takes over to talk to Gordon Graham about what’s missing in how agencies approach wellness, leadership and long-term performance — and what needs to change. From the stigma around mental health to the reality of financial stress and leadership blind spots, Gordon keeps it simple and direct. Take care of your people early, or deal with the consequences later. His “10 Fs” framework isn’t theory — it’s a practical way to think about how first responders actually live and work. About our sponsor This episode is sponsored by BLTN, Powered by Multitude Insights. Better bulletins solve crimes. BLTN is the nationwide intelligence-sharing platform built by law enforcement, for law enforcement. One centralized system to create, distribute, and analyze bulletins—connecting agencies in real time so critical intel reaches the right people when it matters most. No more inbox sprawl, no more missed leads—just faster coordination and better outcomes. Visit multitudeinsights.com to see how agencies are closing more cases, faster.

What happens when a key less-lethal tool disappears from the public order toolbox? A recent federal court order halting LAPD’s use of 40mm projectile launchers has reignited a national debate about crowd control, use of force policy and the limits of modern policing. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Joshua Coleman of the California Force Instructors Association and retired Berkeley Police Captain Spencer Fomby, Chair of the National Tactical Officers Association’s Public Order Section, to unpack the ruling and its broader implications for agencies across the country. Drawing on decades of experience in protest response, use-of-force training and courtroom testimony, Coleman and Fomby explore how removing intermediate force options can leave officers with fewer safe alternatives when protests turn violent. They discuss the training gaps that often lead to misuse of less-lethal tools, the growing influence of litigation and policy reform on police tactics, and the difficult balance between community expectations and operational reality when unrest escalates. About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

We talk constantly about training in law enforcement, but are we investing enough in leadership? Tactical skills are reinforced from the academy through specialty assignments, yet the challenges facing today’s agencies demand more than operational competence. Ethical judgment, resilience, culture building and strategic thinking are now mission-critical. In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley sits down with leaders from three major agencies who decided to tackle that gap together. Chief Paul Noel of the Knoxville Police Department, Deputy Chief Emily McKinley of the Louisville Metro Police Department and Captain Michael Vaughn of the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department break down the creation of the Tri-City Police Leadership Academy. They discuss how the idea evolved from the DC Police Leadership Academy, how three chiefs aligned on vision and funding, what three weeks of “future-focused leadership” actually looks like, and how the program is shaping sergeants, lieutenants and professional staff to lead through culture change, crisis and complexity. About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

When the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to Kansas City, the operational impact will extend far beyond the stadium. Surrounding communities like Overland Park, Kansas, are preparing for large-scale watch parties, transportation hubs and an influx of international visitors — all while maintaining day-to-day patrol operations. In this episode of Policing Matters, Major Kyle Livengood of the Overland Park Police Department talks with host Jim Dudley about how his agency is coordinating with local, state and federal partners to build a comprehensive safety and security plan for one of the world’s largest sporting events. The discussion explores staffing constraints, intelligence sharing through regional fusion centers, the launch of a new real-time information center and the challenges of managing heat, alcohol and language barriers during a global event. It also underscores the “team of teams” approach guiding preparations across the Kansas City metro and the lessons agencies nationwide can apply to capacity planning, mutual aid and interagency coordination when a major event comes to town. About our sponsor Flock Safety works with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide, delivering real-time intelligence through a holistic ecosystem of technology designed to keep officers safe, reduce crime, and build stronger communities. And if you’re looking for real stories from the front lines — how your peers are using these tools to shape the future of safety in their cities — tune in to Flock’s “Real Time Policing” podcast. Watch episodes on YouTube or tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to view.

Every agency has them – the problems that keep the chief’s phone ringing and the community demanding action. The instinct may be to borrow a strategy from a neighboring department or pull a promising model off a research website. But turning theory into practice is rarely plug-and-play. On this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Lt. Matt Barter of the Manchester (New Hampshire) Police Department about applying hotspot policing research to quality-of-life issues – and what agencies can learn when the results aren’t what they expected. Barter’s team targeted high-call areas for quality-of-life complaints using scheduled 15-minute hotspot patrols, density mapping and matched comparison areas. Officers increased directed patrol activity by roughly 80%, engaged businesses and focused on place-based prevention. Calls declined in the target areas – but they declined even more in untreated comparison areas. The takeaway: Without a true counterfactual, agencies risk declaring success too soon. Barter explains why transparent evaluation, cross-agency collaboration and iterative problem-solving matter more than claiming a quick win – and how patrol leaders can better align data, deployment and real-world conditions. About our sponsor This episode is sponsored by BLTN, Powered by Multitude Insights. Better bulletins solve crimes. BLTN is the nationwide intelligence-sharing platform built by law enforcement, for law enforcement. One centralized system to create, distribute, and analyze bulletins—connecting agencies in real time so critical intel reaches the right people when it matters most. No more inbox sprawl, no more missed leads—just faster coordination and better outcomes. Visit multitudeinsights.com to see how agencies are closing more cases, faster.

In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Brenda Tate, a trailblazer whose 40-year career with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police unfolded at a time when few women wore the badge and even fewer Black women were in uniform. Tate reflects on breaking barriers in the 1970s while navigating racism, sexism, personal loss and addiction — experiences she chronicles in her memoir, “Journal of a Black Woman in Blue: Navigating Abuse, Addiction, Racism, and Society.” Her story offers a candid look at survival, service and what it takes to rebuild trust, purpose and identity in policing. Handpicked for both witness protection and dignitary protection, Tate earned the confidence of department leadership during some of Pittsburgh’s most challenging years. She helped establish the city’s witness protection unit amid escalating gang violence, applying both tactical skill and lived experience to protect vulnerable witnesses. Later, her work in dignitary protection placed her alongside presidents, world leaders and civil rights icon Rosa Parks — assignments that highlighted the quiet responsibility and professionalism behind the scenes. For Tate, these roles were more than career milestones; they affirmed that perseverance and accountability can redefine both reputation and self-worth. About our sponsor This episode is sponsored by BLTN, Powered by Multitude Insights. Better bulletins solve crimes. BLTN is the nationwide intelligence-sharing platform built by law enforcement, for law enforcement. One centralized system to create, distribute, and analyze bulletins—connecting agencies in real time so critical intel reaches the right people when it matters most. No more inbox sprawl, no more missed leads—just faster coordination and better outcomes. Visit multitudeinsights.com to see how agencies are closing more cases, faster.

In 1990, New York City was a place many Americans were afraid to enter, let alone police. More than 2,600 homicides in a single year, open-air drug markets, violent subway platforms and neighborhoods ruled by fear defined daily life. What followed would become one of the most debated eras in modern policing — aggressive enforcement strategies, the expansion of stop, question and frisk, and a leadership-driven push to reclaim the streets. Decades later, those years are still argued in classrooms, courtrooms and police roll calls across the country. On this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley is joined by NYPD Detective Tom Smith, who lived that history from the inside. Smith joined the department in 1990 and was assigned to West Harlem’s 30th Precinct, one of the city’s busiest and most dangerous commands at the time. From anti-crime plainclothes work and gun arrests to major narcotics investigations, DEA task force operations and a post-9/11 deployment to Afghanistan, Smith’s career spans local street enforcement and international investigations. He shares what policing looked like before the crime drop, how leadership and coordinated prosecution mattered, and what today’s officers face in a very different New York City. Tom Smith is co-host of The Gold Shields Show podcast. Connect with Tom online: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram. About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

Running a jail can feel like a fixed equation: hire staff, manage the facility, keep order, repeat. But Pinal County (Arizona) Sheriff Ross Teeple decided the “that’s just how incarceration is” mindset was fueling the same cycle of violence, lockdowns and repeat offenders. His response was as simple as it was controversial: open an entire pod 24/7, pull the detention deputy out of direct supervision, and see whether a responsibility-based model could change behavior, culture and outcomes. The experiment became the focus of Netflix’s “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment” and sparked a larger conversation about what risk leadership looks like inside corrections. In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley talks with Teeple about how the plan moved from idea to execution, including stakeholder meetings, staff skepticism, and safeguards designed to keep deputies and inmates safe while still testing a real operational shift. About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.