Videos and Podcasts

Do you feel tired and unrested after eight hours of sleep? Maybe it’s time to look into sleep disorders and how to overcome one. Tune in as Chief Steve Petrilli of the Normal, Illinois, Police Department and Sergeant Ron Cardis of the New York State Police discuss living with sleep disorders and why it’s important to get them under control.

You are not the stereotype. Tune in and listen to Lieutenant Floyd Wiley (retired) and Robert Sobo, MEd, PsyD, as they discuss how to cope with the impacts of public perception. Because without you, who would keep us safe?

Research is key to understanding the shortfalls in any profession, but are you using that data to better your professional self? Take some time to listen to this podcast hosted by Floyd Wiley with the VALOR Program and John Bostain, President and co-owner of Command Presence Training, as they clearly explain the findings from and the importance of the FBI’s Deadly Mix studies.

When was the last time you went to the doctor, got your physical, or even had your blood work done? The law enforcement field has increased rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndromes compared to the general population. Join John Bouthillette with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program and Major T.J. Geary with the University of South Carolina as they discuss how you can be intentional about your diet and your level of exercise to help prevent diabetes or keep it under control.

When you think about your health and wellness, do you think about your cortisol and adrenaline levels? Law enforcement is a high-stress environment that includes traumatic events, varying sleep cycles, and other factors that can affect your cortisol and adrenaline levels. Join Chief Steve Petrilli with the Normal, Illinois, Police Department and Dr. Greg Huron as they discuss how to counteract elevated hormone levels on and off the clock.

"Use of force is often a split-second decision, sometimes accompanied by a few moments of video, and then often days, weeks, and in some cases, years of headlines in the news. The duty to intervene is ultimately seated in an officer’s oath of office, but not until recently, has it gained traction and national attention for its importance to community relationships." Tune in as David Perry, Investigator Esther Suarez, and Deputy Matt Krzoska discuss an officer’s duty to intervene by stepping in and stepping up.

The Safer Together campaign emphasizes and strengthens the link between officer safety, wellness, community trust, and respect. Listen to David Perry, Safer Together lead, and Vince Davenport, Associate Deputy Director with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, as they dive into this discussion about what the Safer Together campaign entails, how it is different from other programs, and how it reinvigorates law enforcement at a time when a boost is needed most.

Did you know that about 70 percent of our decision making is based and made by our emotional brain while only about 30 percent is made from the slow, intentional, choice-making part of the brain? In the law enforcement field, most situations need intentional thinking and actions, so learning how to properly take a “second second” can be the difference between a smooth interaction or devastation. Come listen to David Perry with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program; Chief Wayne Nero of the Georgetown, Texas, Police Department; and Director of Public Safety Alma Burke with the University of Southern California and get some tips about taking a “second second” and being more intentional in your actions.

Did you know that about 70 percent of our decision making is based and made by our emotional brain while only about 30 percent is made from the slow, intentional, choice-making part of the brain? In the law enforcement field, most situations need intentional thinking and actions, so learning how to properly take a “second second” can be the difference between a smooth interaction or devastation. Come listen to David Perry with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program; Chief Wayne Nero of the Georgetown, Texas, Police Department; and Director of Public Safety Alma Burke with the University of Southern California and get some tips about taking a “second second” and being more intentional in your actions.

You lost your right to be unfit the day you took this job. The policing profession requires you to be in top physical condition to be prepared for anything on the job and to protect yourself from injury. Retired Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor for the VALOR Program, and Dr. Greg Huron, a licensed chiropractor with more than 30 years of experience, discuss the importance of prehabbing to be fit for duty.

A nutritious diet combines adequacy, balance, calorie control, moderation, and variety. Brandon Post with the VALOR Program and Chief Lori Luhnow (retired) discuss the five aspects of a nutritious diet and how your food choices matter. They offer simple things you can implement now and start to work on to improve your overall health.

"Qualified immunity is a shield, not a sword. Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor for the VALOR Program, and Mr. Bruce-Alan Barnard, a nationally renowned law enforcement legal educator, discuss the concept of qualified immunity, specifically in federal lawsuits under Title 42, Section 1983 and what that means for officers."

"The concept of the reasonable person standard isn't new, but it was adapted and made a part of the use of force decisions in 1989 with the concept of the reasonable officer. Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor for the VALOR Program, and Mr. Bruce-Alan Barnard, a nationally renowned law enforcement legal educator, discuss the reasonable officer standard and how it works in relation to the fourth amendment."

"The duty to intervene in a situation that involves excessive use of force by another officer is your responsibility as a sworn officer. Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor for the VALOR Program, and Mr. Bruce-Alan Barnard, a nationally renowned law enforcement legal educator, discuss the reality of what duty to intervene means for officers. You have no protection under the law for failing to intervene when you have the opportunity. You have a duty to intervene. Do not get caught in a moral or ethical dilemma."

“Why should I be a police officer today?” A lot of officers are leaving the profession, and we are struggling to get applicants in the door. Attracting professionals to policing is tougher than ever. This podcast discusses what agencies can do to improve their recruitment and hiring processes and how they can be intentional about getting the right people into this profession.

"Do you know what two of the most popular ways to train and build muscle memory and mindfulness are? In this VALOR Voices Podcast, Captain Michon Morrow talks with Captain Janet Sandman (Retired) and Assistant Chief Chris Davis (Retired) about the benefits of meditation and yoga.

"Mission first, people always" is a foundational concept in the VALOR Program that covers the topic of taking care of your people first. Listen to David Flory, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, and John Bouthillette, a retired police chief from the South River, New Jersey, Police Department and a lead instructor and onsite facilitator with the VALOR Program, as they discuss what "mission first, people always" means and how that looks in an agency.

"As a leader, it's important that our people see us calm and not show anxiety or fear because it's contagious." Chief Wayne Nero of the Georgetown, Texas, Police Department sits down with Chief Bernadette DiPino of the Sarasota, Florida, Police Department to discuss the importance of remaining calm as a leader during times of crises. ". . . our influence can either be positive, or it can be negative."

"I haven't seen a time where leadership has been more important than it is now. Frontline supervisors, they lead the people on the ground—boots on the ground that are out dealing with the critical situations." Floyd Wiley, a lead VALOR instructor, and Captain Brandon Post of the Provo, Utah, Police Department discuss the challenging times law enforcement officers are facing and how important it is for frontline supervisors to remain focused on remaining calm during crises.

In this VALOR Voices Podcast, Captain Michon Morrow talks with Captain Janet Sandman (retired) and Assistant Chief Chris Davis (retired) about what mindfulness is, what it isn’t, and how it can impact and benefit law enforcement.

In this VALOR Voices Podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor for the VALOR Program, continues his conversation with Sam McGhee, a lieutenant with a large metropolitan police department in Colorado. They discuss neuroplasticity, training the brain, and how that can affect police work.

In this VALOR Voices Podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor for the VALOR Program, has a conversation with Sam McGhee, a lieutenant with a large metropolitan police department in Colorado, about neuroscience and its important role in law enforcement. They discuss techniques to strengthen public safety effectiveness by enhancing the abilities of officers to make critical decisions.

In this VALOR Voices Podcast, Floyd Wiley, a lead instructor for the VALOR Program, has a conversation with George Mussini, a 22-year veteran of the Baltimore County, Maryland, Police Department, about navigating the aftermath of critical situations and how home life changes. They discuss a critical incident in Officer Mussini's career, how the climate in the nation at that time affected him and his family, and the steps he took afterward.

In this VALOR Voices Podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program, has a conversation with Floyd Wiley, a retired lieutenant from New Castle County, Delaware, Police Department and a lead instructor and on-site facilitator with the VALOR Program, about leading by example. They discuss how important it is to be professional, have and show respect, be transparent and trustworthy, and exhibit excellence. It’s important to know what you want and expect from others and to be able to align that with the mission of your organization.

In this VALOR Voices Podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program, has a conversation with Floyd Wiley, a retired lieutenant from New Castle County, Delaware, Police Department and a lead instructor and on-site facilitator with the VALOR Program, about leading by example. They discuss how important it is to be professional, have and show respect, be transparent and trustworthy, and exhibit excellence. It's important to know what you want and expect from others and to be able to align that with the mission of your organization.

In this VALOR Voices Podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program, has a conversation with Dan Stump, a retired chief of police of the Springettsbury Township Police Department, about being in a leadership role in times of crisis. They discuss concepts and principles that can be utilized to help chief executive officers manage their way through times of crisis.

In this podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, talks to Floyd Wiley, a retired lieutenant from the New Castle County, Delaware, Police Department and lead instructor and on-site facilitator with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program. They discuss the concept if what's important now from the focus of a mid-level supervisor and how they can use that concept in dealing with high-stress times.

Listen to John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, talk to Bruce-Alan Barnard, a nationally renowned law enforcement legal educator and former federal prosecutor, as they take an overarching look at knowing your legal authority. They discuss the importance of knowing your legal authority, studying case law throughout your career, and being prepared and in the right mindset.

In this VALOR Voices Podcast, Floyd Wiley, a lead instructor with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program, has a conversation with David Flory, a retired chief of police from Hot Springs, Arkansas, Police Department and a lead instructor and on-site facilitator for the VALOR Program, about being safe and waiting for backup. They discuss how being impatient or afraid to ask for backup can make the difference between a routine call going bad and being able to go home at the end of your shift.

In this podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, talks to Jamie Miller, a 20-year veteran with the Springettsbury Township Police Department in Pennsylvania. They discuss a critical incident in Jamie’s career and how important mindset and preparation are for a law enforcement officer. They focus on the VALOR concept of WIN (What's Important Now) and how Jamie used it during the incident.

Listen to John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, and Bruce-Alan Barnard, a nationally renowned law enforcement legal educator and former federal prosecutor, as they discuss search and seizure and the related aspects of their impact on law enforcement.

WIN is a VALOR foundational topic meaning “What’s Important Now,” and it is built on prioritizing the most important immediate need in any situation. Listen to John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, and David Flory, a retired chief of police from the Hot Springs, Arkansas, Police Department and a lead instructor and onsite facilitator with the VALOR Program, as they discuss the concept of WIN and how that applies to upper management as well as the line officer.

Leading by example is a foundational concept in the VALOR Program about the kind of leader you should be. Listen to John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, and David Flory, a retired chief of the Hot Springs, Arkansas, Police Department and a lead instructor and onsite facilitator with the VALOR Program, as they discuss how leading by example is the key to success. They talk about the key points of being a leader and why leading by example is so important.

How far away is your backup? In this podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, talks to retired Wyoming State Highway Patrol Trooper Jim Wilson. Trooper Wilson spent much of his career in rural areas where backup was 30 minutes away. He shares an alarming experience that changed him as an officer and the way he worked. Learn what changes Trooper Wilson made to increase his safety and what he recommends for other officers working in rural environments where backup is far away.

"Be quick, don’t hurry" is a foundational concept in the VALOR Program to help officers make good critical decisions. Listen to David Flory, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, and John Bouthillette, a retired police chief from the South River, New Jersey, Police Department and a lead instructor and onsite facilitator with the VALOR Program, as they discuss the culture of speed and how to counter that concept for greater officer safety.

In this podcast, Chief Dan Stump (Retired) talks with Sergeant Stacy Lim (Retired) from the Los Angeles, California, Police Department. Sergeant Lim nearly lost her life in a shooting early in her career. This was a difficult experience to go through and created a detour in her vision of her life’s path. Most law enforcement officers will not face the same challenges as Sergeant Lim, but they may face other detours like divorce, illness, or financial difficulties at some point in their life. Learn how Sergeant Lim was able to make a positive out of a negative and how you can do the same when a detour occurs.

In this podcast, Chief Dan Stump (Retired) talks with Sergeant Stacy Lim (Retired) from the Los Angeles, California, Police Department. Sergeant Lim nearly lost her life in a shooting early in her career. This was a difficult experience to go through and created a detour in her vision of her life’s path. Most law enforcement officers will not face the same challenges as Sergeant Lim, but they may face other detours like divorce, illness, or financial difficulties at some point in their life. Learn how Sergeant Lim was able to make a positive out of a negative and how you can do the same when a detour occurs.

Most likely, your agency has policies and procedures in place in the event that an officer is injured or killed in the line of duty. Do you have a policy and procedure in case an officer experiences a family trauma or tragedy? In this episode of VALOR Voices Podcast, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, has a conversation with Deputy Chief Paul Sandman of the Highland Park, Texas, Department of Public Safety about his department’s experiences while supporting a family in need and how agency leaders can build emotional resiliency among their officers.

Remember when you first came out of the academy? You were so vigilant, so prepared. You were so sharp. You were actively in the moment, ready. You constantly maintained an appropriate level of awareness, no matter what call you were on. You were continuously looking around, making sure you were seeing everything you needed to see. Are you still doing that now? If not, what has changed? In this podcast, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, has a conversation with his colleague in the VALOR Program, Major Mike Hardee, about the dangers of complacency among experienced law enforcement officers.

In this episode, Chief Dan Stump (retired) with the VALOR Program is joined by Officer Jeffrey Wood with the Indianapolis, Indiana, Metropolitan Police Department. Often, you know that a fellow officer is struggling in job performance or personally, but it is easier to stay quiet. Chief Stump and Officer Wood discuss how conversations with fellow officers may be tough to start and uncomfortable but stress that the courageous act of talking to a fellow officer may make all the difference in that officer’s career and life.

In this episode, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, is joined by Commander Craig Bettis of the Vail, Colorado, Police Department. Chief Bouthillette and Commander Bettis highlight a successful cardiac screening initiative at the Vail Police Department and the outcomes of the department’s efforts.

Did you know that the life expectancy of an officer is 20 years less than that of his or her civilian counterparts? This data was published in the last few years. Dr. Jonathan Sheinberg looks at the problem through a different lens. Dr. Sheinberg, Medical Director of Central Texas Regional SWAT, a lieutenant at the Cedar Park, Texas Police Department, and Special Deputy, U.S. Marshals Service, joins Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, to discuss the steps that can be taken to prevent heart-related illnesses and deaths in law enforcement.

There are numerous benefits of pre-staging equipment for mass gatherings to increase responsiveness to potential critical incidents. In this episode, Chief Richard Beary (retired) from the University of Central Florida joins VALOR Program instructor Floyd Wiley to share some lessons he has learned from large event operational planning at UCF. Chief Beary and VALOR instructor Wiley discuss how to identify the appropriate equipment needed and where the supplies should be staged at any event, regardless of whether it is for a small or large community.

In this episode of VALOR Voices Podcast, Chief David Flory, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, has a conversation with Chief Skip Holbrook of the Columbia, South Carolina, Police Department and Major T. J. Geary of the University of South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement and Safety. They discuss a tragic vehicle accident that claimed the life of one officer and severely injured another during their response to a shots-fired call. Find out what preventative measures these departments implemented to increase the safety of officers responding to emergency calls.

In this edition of VALOR Voices Podcast, Larry Austin talks with Lieutenant Mike Abbey (retired) and Sergeant Scott Angulo of the Tallahassee Police Department about how their informal mentoring partnership started and how formal and informal mentoring can positively affect the safety and careers of law enforcement officers.

In this episode of VALOR Voices Podcast, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, has a conversation with Bruce-Alan Barnard, a nationally renowned law enforcement legal educator, about the need for today’s law enforcement officers to be scholars. Officers must understand the case law that impacts how they operate in the field.

Officer health and injury should be a concern for all law enforcement officers and departments. Strength training not only helps muscles but also bones, joints, and tendons.

Making healthy meal choices often takes planning, especially when you work the third shift. There are few great choices at 3:00 a.m. if you want to eat a healthy meal. Making poor meal choices will affect your health and safety on the job.

How many of us have gone on a diet and lost weight, only to gain it all back plus a few pounds? What went wrong? Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, has a conversation with Lieutenant Brandon Post of the Provo, Utah, Police Department about “diets” and positive long-term lifestyle changes to help improve your safety on the job, improve your quality of life, and meet your health goals.

In this episode, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, has a conversation with Lieutenant Brandon Post of the Provo, Utah, Police Department to examine what cardiovascular training is and why it is important for you as a law enforcement officer to include this form of training in your exercise regimen. They also discuss various cardiovascular exercise programs to help you meet your fitness goals.