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The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League, Inc. (PAL) stands as a beacon of community engagement, fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and youth through mentorship, recreational activities and educational programs.
With over 300 chapters across the United States and the world serving two million youths aged 5 to 18, National PAL aims to prevent juvenile crime and promote healthy development. By providing safe spaces and supportive environments, PAL empowers youth to build trust with police officers, learn valuable life skills and envision brighter futures. The organization's comprehensive approach includes enhancing infrastructure, developing strategic plans and creating nationwide curriculums to address critical issues such as substance abuse, ensuring that PAL continues to make a significant impact on communities across the country.
In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks to Sergeant Kenny Raglin, the newly elected President of National PAL, and Sergeant Christopher Hill, the organization's new CEO. Both guests share their personal experiences and insights into how PAL programs are making a significant difference in communities across the nation.
Sergeants Raglin and Hill bring a wealth of experience and passion to their leadership roles at National PAL. Raglin, a former PAL kid from Philadelphia, and Hill, who supervised community service programs in Howell Township, New Jersey, discuss their vision for expanding PAL's reach and impact. They highlight the importance of enhancing infrastructure, developing strategic plans and creating comprehensive nationwide curriculums to address issues such as substance abuse.
The conversation underscores how PAL not only benefits the youth but also rejuvenates the spirits of participating officers, creating a cycle of positive influence and community engagement.
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.

In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley welcomes Thor Eells, Executive Director of the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).
With over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Eells shares his expertise on current NTOA activities and trends in SWAT training and deployment. He discusses challenges facing tactical teams today, including civil unrest, evolving standards for SWAT teams and the importance of regional cooperation among agencies.
The conversation also explores the implications of recent legislation on law enforcement practices and the role of advanced technology in enhancing tactical training and operations.
About our sponsor
LETS Corp is the technology company behind LETS Respond, one of the most sought-after smart solutions by law enforcement to prevent and de-escalate crises. Endorsed by law enforcement agencies from LA to New York, LETS Respond helps bring enhanced awareness and safer resolutions in response to hostage/crisis situations. With LETS Respond, you’ll instantly save costs, and improve time to response and resolution, without ever needing to deal with the hassle of setting up a throw phone. Explore the benefits by visiting letscorp.us/respond today.

Drug addiction is often described as a public health crisis, with the United States seeing a significant rise in overdose deaths over the past two decades. Despite various approaches ranging from harm reduction to using alternative drugs for rehabilitation, the effectiveness of these strategies remains questionable. With overdose deaths soaring from 10,000 to over 100,000 annually, it raises the question: is it time to reconsider our approach and perhaps start a new War on Drugs?
In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with retired DEA agent Mike Brown, who has dedicated over 32 years to fighting drug trafficking. The discussion centers around the escalating crisis of fentanyl addiction and overdose deaths in the United States, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement and the need for improved bilateral cooperation and innovative strategies to combat the issue.
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.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and its Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) are at the forefront of maintaining national security, working closely with local police to prevent and respond to threats involving explosive devices.
In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Jeff Dade, section chief of OBP, to discuss the vital partnerships, advanced training programs and innovative technologies that enhance the resilience of America's critical infrastructure against potential attacks.
About our sponsor
LETS Corp is the technology company behind LETS Respond, one of the most sought-after smart solutions by law enforcement to prevent and de-escalate crises. Endorsed by law enforcement agencies from LA to New York, LETS Respond helps bring enhanced awareness and safer resolutions in response to hostage/crisis situations. With LETS Respond, you’ll instantly save costs, and improve time to response and resolution, without ever needing to deal with the hassle of setting up a throw phone. Explore the benefits by visiting letscorp.us/respond today.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries and policing is no exception. AI offers tools that can enhance efficiency, accuracy and overall effectiveness in law enforcement. However, the adoption of these technologies also raises critical questions about privacy, bias and the ethical use of AI in public safety.
In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Chief Philip Lukens on how AI is being used in policing.
With a career spanning nearly three decades, Chief Lukens has been at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies in policing. As a leading expert in AI, he has been instrumental in pioneering the use of artificial intelligence in tandem with community policing, significantly enhancing police operations and optimizing patrol methods. Learn more about Chief Lukens’ policing initiatives here.
About our sponsor
This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Skydio. Learn more about how Skydio enhances public safety and operational efficiency by visiting Skydio.com.
 

Recently, we saw a first-of-its-kind arrest of two middle school students who created deepfake nude images of their classmates. This arrest marks a new milestone for law enforcement as they consider how to address the use of generative AI relative to child sexual abuse material and nonconsensual deepfakes — by even juvenile offenders.
The rapid advancement of AI technology has brought significant benefits, but it also poses new challenges, especially for law enforcement agencies. AI-generated images and voices can be incredibly realistic, making it difficult to discern authentic evidence from fabricated content. This new landscape requires investigators to develop sophisticated techniques and legal frameworks to keep pace with these technological innovations.
In this episode, Policing Matters podcast host Jim Dudley speaks with Heather Mahalik Barnhart, Senior Director of Community Engagement at Cellebrite, about the complexities law enforcement faces due to AI advancements. Heather highlights the difficulty in distinguishing real from AI-generated images, the legal ambiguities surrounding AI evidence and the mental toll on investigators. She also shares practical advice on securing personal and family digital presence, emphasizing the importance of updated security settings and awareness.
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.