Blue Grit Radio : the better cops and community podcast Eric Tung

Mac Rollins began his law enforcement career in 2010 in Northern California. He is currently assigned to his agency’s detective bureau working sex crimes and child abuse. 
After some personal experiences involving his own mental health, he became an advocate for mental health awareness within policing as well other issues currently facing law enforcement nationwide. 

In this episode we talk about what prompted his blog, social media and podcast. We connect on these necessary conversations with regard to first responder pressures, traumas, wellness and resilience.  We also dive into policing  topics like patrol dynamics, assignments, optics and morale.

Mac is the host of the Zen Cop Podcast and also operates a blog at www.thezencop.com. He is currently working on his Master’s Degree in psychology with aspirations to become a clinical therapist focusing specifically on the law enforcement community.

Contact him at @thezencop 
Don’t forget to like, SHARE and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and more! This is the best way you can support this podcast, our message and support in the topics we discuss!

Please help us grow the positive conversations and community by liking, reviewing, and giving us a solid rating to help others find the show. Be well and stay gritty!

You can follow along with the most updated content on IG: @bluegritwellness ! Leave a comment, ask your questions at IG or email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

We are always talking about police and first responder wellness, how to be a cop, self development, career development, organizational culture and development and so much more! This isn't just to uplift the policing community and profession, but THE Community. Let's do it one conversation at a time!

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Agencies are still struggling with recruitment.  I know an area agency that spent upwards of $200K with a marketing agency to boost their efforts.

Thing is- that might get you a video and some social media content. But it doesn’t get a SINGLE person hired.

My experiences, mistakes, and successes in the recruiting game prompted me to record a down and dirty crash course for agency reps to consider.  

The listen is FREE and the framework that guides the conversation is FREE.

Listen here, and share it out! #sameteam

Now let’s go hire some awesome cops. 
Don’t forget to like, SHARE and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and more! This is the best way you can support this podcast, our message and support in the topics we discuss!

Please help us grow the positive conversations and community by liking, reviewing, and giving us a solid rating to help others find the show. Be well and stay gritty!

You can follow along with the most updated content on IG: @bluegritwellness ! Leave a comment, ask your questions at IG or email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

We are always talking about police and first responder wellness, how to be a cop, self development, career development, organizational culture and development and so much more! This isn't just to uplift the policing community and profession, but THE Community. Let's do it one conversation at a time!

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

It was quite a while ago that I came across then Sgt. Aram Choe's page and learned about his podcast.  He had quite the social media imprint, but beyond that, he presented as a humble, direct leader.  He balanced professional demeanor and personal insight. He appeared to be a perpetual learner and consummate teacher.  As I keep watching what he was up to, it resonated on many levels, way before I even considered doing anything "public" with regards to my policing image, writing, social media, or anything involving a podcast- including my own.

I've spoken and written before on how few role models I was able to identify in Asian or Asian American culture while growing up in the 90s.  It was all Kung Fu (love me some of that) but even then, it was a narrow scope of what stereotypes were presented as viable options.  And for most- international Kung Fu star isn't a viable option for most Asian kids.  Beyond that were all the other stereotypes that were prescribed to me, knowingly or unknowingly by my family, cultural expectations, friends, media, society and most of all myself.

I didn't see many Asian Americans in law enforcement when I was getting started. I certainly didn't see a lot of "masculine", strong figures within my culture in the ways I was seeking.  Subconsciously, I sought to become a lot of these idealist archetypes- and as I grew older and more tenured in the career, it became less about proving things to myself and more about proving things beyond myself.

As much being a minority leader meant to me to see in others like now Lt. Choe, I didn't realize it in myself.  I've told the story of a young man, of Hispanic origin, who was taken aback that I could be a sergeant in my organization when running Recruiting.  It took a bit until I realized that my example inspired a newness of potential in himself.  

And that inspired something within me.  And I recognize fully what Lt. Aram Choe inspired within me, too, so long ago somewhat subconsciously when he was making his mark on policing far beyond the walls of his department, with utmost humility, respect, and drive.  It's my sincere honor to bring to you a conversation with me and the L.T.

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Aram Choe is a 24-year veteran of law enforcement in Southern California. He currently serves as a lieutenant at the El Monte Police Department and is an adjunct professor of strategic communication at California Baptist University. 

Choe’s podcast, the 911Strong Podcast, has been in the top 200 podcasts on the Apple podcast charts since its debut at #75 in 2019.  Choe has a strong presence on social media under the handle 911Strong, which has afforded him the opportunities to appear on national television as a law enforcement expert. 

Choe was the host of The Debrief on the First Responders Network and can currently be seen as a panel expert on television’s syndicated iCrime with Elizabeth Vargas. Follow Aram on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
@911strong
Don’t forget to like, SHARE and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and more! This is the best way you can support this podcast, our message and support in the topics we discuss!

Please help us grow the positive conversations and community by liking, reviewing, and giving us a solid rating to help others find the show. Be well and stay gritty!

You can follow along with the most updated content on IG: @bluegritwellness ! Leave a comment, ask your questions at IG or email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

We are always talking about police and first responder wellness, how to be a cop, self development, career development, organizational culture and development and so much more! This isn't just to uplift the policing community and profession, but THE Community. Let's do it one conversation at a time!

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Bridget Truxillo is an attorney and former police deputy.  In our conversation, we span topics of health and wellness, stress, her desire to become a cop and what led to her exit. We discuss her road to practicing law and what cops need to be aware of and how to navigate difficult circumstances in the workplace. 
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Bridget has firsthand experience with harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment.  As the only female on the SWAT team, along with her time on patrol and as an undercover narcotics investigator, she knows what it feels like to have no one to trust and to feel defeated at every turn.
This is why Bridget started the Lady Law Shield: to help those feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by a seemingly unwinnable battle.  Bridget is passionate about helping anyone facing the same types of internal employment-related issues discover their ability to find happiness daily, regardless of the environment or circumstances surrounding them.
Bridget has 30 years of wellness, leadership, law enforcement, and legal training and experience that you can leverage for a blueprint on how to feel more comfort, ease, and support for increased balance and joy in life. 
Bridget is an attorney, former Deputy Sheriff (Patrol, SWAT, and Undercover Narcotics), founder and CEO of the Lady Law Shield Law Firm and Protective Wellness.  She is licensed to practice in TX, LA, NY, and FL.  Lady Law Shield helps clients across the country with employment-related issues based on violations of protections afforded by federal law.
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www.ladylawshield.com
Don’t forget to like, SHARE and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and more! This is the best way you can support this podcast, our message and support in the topics we discuss!

Please help us grow the positive conversations and community by liking, reviewing, and giving us a solid rating to help others find the show. Be well and stay gritty!

You can follow along with the most updated content on IG: @bluegritwellness ! Leave a comment, ask your questions at IG or email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

We are always talking about police and first responder wellness, how to be a cop, self development, career development, organizational culture and development and so much more! This isn't just to uplift the policing community and profession, but THE Community. Let's do it one conversation at a time!

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Welcome to this special edition collaboration with Dr. Jason Piccolo from The Protectors Podcast.  Dr. Jason Piccolo is an author, professor, and  extensive subject matter expert on matters from Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Cyber Security and White Collar Crime. After his military service overseas, he spent over 23 years in the Department of Homeland Security, where he retired as an Associate Special Agent in Charge.

In our episode, we dive right into supervisory and leadership obstacles following promotion in law enforcement. We compare notes on dynamics and nature of the role from being "a Fed" as opposed to local law enforcement and our experiences and insights on interaction and agency collaboration.  

Purpose is a forefront topic and theme of our two-sided interview, from wearing different hats and pursuits to adapting and growing into new challenges and adventures in tandem with a career and life in the service of being protectors.

https://jasonpiccolo.us/
jason@protectors.us
@drjasonpiccolo
Don’t forget to like, SHARE and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and more! This is the best way you can support this podcast, our message and support in the topics we discuss!

Please help us grow the positive conversations and community by liking, reviewing, and giving us a solid rating to help others find the show. Be well and stay gritty!

You can follow along with the most updated content on IG: @bluegritwellness ! Leave a comment, ask your questions at IG or email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

We are always talking about police and first responder wellness, how to be a cop, self development, career development, organizational culture and development and so much more! This isn't just to uplift the policing community and profession, but THE Community. Let's do it one conversation at a time!

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

What greater Legacy is there... Than being known and remembered for doing LEGIT police work, from proactive chases of epic proportions to the being the most attentive, passionate, caring officer… recently retired Detective Tom Riener.
From community members to peers. From victims to suspects. No joke. All with a smile on his face for 3 decades (almost ever moment! 

I chat with Tommy about his upstart, his WHY, and how the heck he kept so upbeat through all the chases, shootings, ups and downs of the career.  We go down memory lane about his career assignments and experiences, and some of my early memories of him when I was just a new "boot."  Hint- I got dizzy.  We talk about one of our most significant shared moments (yeah that OIS I was in)... trauma-bonding at it's best (semi-sarcasm).

Tom's positive attitude has been infectious to the locals for years and years.. I am excited and honored to bring his story and overwhelming example of line-leadership and resilience to everyone.

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 From Tom:

I was born in Lamar, Colorado in 1965, the second of four children - all boys.  In 1968, my dad's job required us to move to Concord, California.  I graduated high school in 1983, and then completed training in electronics through Heald Technical College.  After graduating trade school with an AS degree, I went to work in the  world of electronics for a company known by the name Wang Labs. My work with Wang Labs lasted only five years, before I knew I wanted a career change, which was driven my my dream to pursue a career as a police officer
In 1986 I married Julia, whom I had dated since 1984. She initially was opposed to my becoming a police officer out of concern of potential dangers inherent to the job. However, in 1991, after realizing most cops do go home at the end of shift, and gaining an understanding that this job was my dream job since 4th grade, she supported my pursuit toward my dream.  
The drive for me to become a police officer resulted from an incident during my fourth grade year in elementary school.  A stranger ordered me and my friend to get in his car as we walked away from my home on our way to school.  We fled screaming, and my mom came outside and was able to get suspect's license plate number, which resulted in his arrest within the hour.  The positive interaction we had with the officer that responded to our home that day was so impactful that I knew that was the job I wanted as a grown up. 
In 1991 was hired by Kent police.  Later that year our son Erik was born, followed by our second son Lance in 1994, and finally our little girl - Olivia, who arrived in 1999.  My family is by far the most important part of my life, but I was also very fortunate to work for 32 plus year as a police career - my dream job! 
Don’t forget to like, SHARE and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and more! This is the best way you can support this podcast, our message and support in the topics we discuss!

Please help us grow the positive conversations and community by liking, reviewing, and giving us a solid rating to help others find the show. Be well and stay gritty!

You can follow along with the most updated content on IG: @bluegritwellness ! Leave a comment, ask your questions at IG or email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

We are always talking about police and first responder wellness, how to be a cop, self development, career development, organizational culture and development and so much more! This isn't just to uplift the policing community and profession, but THE Community. Let's do it one conversation at a time!

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic