What does it say about when its capital is one of most dangerous cities? Washington, DC is experiencing a crime crisis like no other. A couple years back, the D.C. City Council passed a dangerous bill that would have embolden criminals, dramatically increase crime and violence, and render police officers in the District of Columbia virtually powerless to adequately police the city and keep its residents and visitors safe. What has happened since should alarm all Americans. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes is joined by Gregg Pemberton, Chairman of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Labor Committee. Gregg represents the more than 3,600 rank-and-file DC MPD officers who go to work every day to serve and protect those in living in our nation’s capital.

Last year, over 330 police officers were shot in the line of duty. With the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and after so many Americans have seen the tragic consequences of the defund the police movement, it was our hope that these numbers would be a high-water mark. We were wrong. Instead, 378 officers were shot in the line of duty in 2023, the highest number the FOP has ever recorded. Thankfully, because of dramatic improvements in medical trauma science and anti-ballistic technology, the lethality of these attacks has been reduced and only 46 of the officers shot in the line of duty were killed. There were 115 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers this year, which resulted in 138 officers shot, 20 of whom were killed. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes is joined by National FOP Vice President Joe Gamaldi to discuss the FOP’s recent report on officers shot and killed in the line of duty.

Founded in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American Law Enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial’s walls are filled with the names of law enforcement heroes who, while not always household names, played important roles in U.S. history nonetheless. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes is joined by Bill Alexander, who recently became the CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. As a results-driven, former law enforcement professional, Bill joins the organization with nearly 30 years of overall experience, starting with the United States Air Force as a Security Police Officer at Andrews Air Force Base. Bill began the next phase of his career when he joined the Prince George’s County Police Department in August 1997. He later became the Commander of the Training and Education Division, where he oversaw a forward-thinking, community policing-based police academy responsible for training new recruits and existing sworn and civilian personnel.

Law enforcement officers across America are looking to elected officials to step up and Back The Blue. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes is joined by Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Senator Tillis has been a champion for local, State, and Federal law enforcement and has been a national leader in advancing legislation to ensure they have the tools, resources, and support they need to protect the public and stay safe while in the line of duty. He has partnered with the FOP on several bills important to law enforcement; everything from Cybercrime metrics, reauthorization of the COPS Hiring Program, Scenario-Based Training, and legislation, initially developed by the FOP, on increasing the availability of trauma kits. Notably, he was a key leader of two legislative efforts of critical importance to law enforcement—the Public Safety Officer Support Act (PSOSA) and the Protect and Serve Act.

On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes is joined by National FOP Chaplain, Rick Snyder, as well as Shannon Nordyke and Crystal Mai Purdy-Newland for an in-depth, conversation about why it is so important to plan. The Dignity Memorial Public Servants Program offers no-cost tributes for career and volunteer law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency services personnel who fall in the line of duty. In addition to providing funeral, cremation and burial services, the Public Servants Program also provides extended counseling services to the grieving family. Rick Snyder serves as the Chaplain for the National FOP. He is also the President of the Indianapolis FOP, serving over 3,000 active and retired members from 10 different law enforcement agencies in Central Indiana. Rick is also the cohost of the Remnant Reveal podcast, created by Dr. Chris Holland and Rick to help officers and their families find Biblically based solutions to the challenges they face daily. Crystal Mai Purdy-Newland has worked in the funeral service industry for close to 20 years, and is currently the location manager of Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home. Although her career is in funeral service, Crystal’s passions involve multiple and varying levels of service and outreach. Crystal has a personal passion to educate the veteran community on funeral benefits; what they are, and mainly, what they are not. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, a non-profit organization comprised of professionals who are trained to respond to a law enforcement line of duty death, carry out proper and dignified funeral services, while offering care and support for affected communities, families, and agencies. Shannon Nordyke is a Licensed Funeral Director in Nevada and has worked in the funeral industry for 17 years, she grew up in a small town in Iowa before she relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. She has worked in all positions in Funeral Service but has found her passion is being able to serve families when they have had a loss and help families to prepare for the future. She is currently the Mortuary Manager at Palm Eastern Mortuary in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shannon is the liaison for our local First Responders and Active Duty Personnel at our local Military Bases. Shannon has worked relentlessly to make Palm Mortuary be the best choice for First Responders in the area and has the honor to serve each family when their loved passes away in the Line of Duty.

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation's State, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. The work of the COPS Office is vital to State and local law enforcement agencies and, by extension, to the safety of our communities. The COPS Office is the cornerstone of our national policing strategy—community-oriented policing. The hiring program, its work on collaborative reform, and efforts to improve officer safety and wellness is critical, especially at this time. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes sits down with Hugh Clements, the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) to discuss the current state of policing, the resources the COPS Office provides, as well as the partnership the two organizations have. Hugh has extensive experience in virtually every aspect of policing and law enforcement, a career which began in 1985 with the Providence Police Department as a patrol officer and culminated with him becoming the agency’s chief in 2012. Hugh was also a long-time member of the FOP’s National Board of Trustees. He is a decorated officer and is a nationally recognized expert and speaker on law enforcement trends.

Fairness is a concept that our society treasures and something that we, as law enforcement officers, value highly.  On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down Representatives Garret N. Graves (R-LA) and Abigail A. Spanberger (D-VA) to discuss the negative impact the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) are having on America's public employees.  The WEP and GPO provisions do not eliminate a windfall for workers. It is a loss of the benefits they earned and are denied because they also served the public and have a pension from that work. That’s not right and it’s not fair. Passing the ‘Social Security Fairness Act’ would make a real difference in the lives of our nation’s retired public servants.

In an era where technology and public safety intersect, we find ourselves at a crossroads of unprecedented challenges and transformative opportunities. Axon is one of those companies that stands as a beacon of innovation and progress. With a comprehensive suite of public safety solutions, Axon is at the forefront of bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve.  On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Rick Smith, the CEO of Axon, to explore the captivating intersection of technology and public safety. Smith's journey is truly inspiring, driven by personal experiences and a vision for a safer world. With over two decades of experience, Axon has become a leader in innovative solutions that are reshaping how we approach public safety. This dialogue takes us back to the roots of Axon, unveiling Smith's motivations for founding TASER International and Axon. Yoes and Smith explore the evolution of Axon's mission since its inception in 1993 and delve into the pivotal technologies and innovations developed by Axon to elevate public safety. Axon has set an ambitious goal to reduce gun-related deaths involving both law enforcement and the public by 50% in the next decade. They dissect the strategies and partnerships that Axon employs to realize this significant objective. Yoes and Smith discuss how technology is helping bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Rick highlights the role of body-worn camera technology in Axon's mission to improve public safety and how the company prioritizes transparency and accountability in its products and services.   ➖➖➖     KEY TAKEAWAYS Axon's Role in Public Safety: Axon is a company at the forefront of bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve. They provide a comprehensive suite of public safety solutions and are dedicated to improving public safety through technology. Axon, originally known as TASER International, has evolved significantly since its inception in 1993. The company's mission has expanded beyond tasers to encompass a wide range of technologies and innovations aimed at enhancing public safety.   MOONSHOT - Axon's Ambitious Goal to Reduce Gun-Related Deaths: Axon has set a challenging goal to reduce gun-related deaths involving both law enforcement and the public by 50% in the next decade. This goal is a part of their commitment to making a significant impact on public safety.   Importance of Technology in Public Safety: Technology plays a vital role in improving the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The discussion highlights the significance of technology, especially body-worn camera technology, in this context. Axon prioritizes transparency and accountability in its products and services. This commitment ensures that law enforcement agencies and the public have access to accurate and reliable information to enhance trust and accountability. The podcast anticipates the increased use of drones and robots in law enforcement to improve officer safety and de-escalate high-risk situations. This represents a significant shift in how law enforcement responds to critical incidents.   NOTABLE QUOTES

While the stresses are relentless, cops are supposed to be “tough.” The perceived stigma surrounding mental health problems keeps many officers from seeking the help they need. As we face a rash of law enforcement suicides, it is time that we recognize the psychological toll of wearing the badge and honor the sacrifices of those officers who take their own lives. On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with Dr. Serena Liebengood, a physician and suicide survivor, to discuss the critical issue of police officer wellness and mental health. Dr. Liebengood shares her personal story of losing her husband, Howie, a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Capitol Police, to suicide. The conversation delves into the systemic stressors that law enforcement officers face and the urgent need for comprehensive wellness programs. Dr. Liebengood brings her unique perspective as a physician and a public health expert to shed light on the complex issue of officer wellness. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on organizational stress as a significant factor affecting officers’ mental health. The episode also explores the Public Safety Officer Support Act and its implications for the future of law enforcement wellness programs. This episode is not just an eye-opener but a call to action for agencies, policymakers, and the public to recognize and address the mental health crisis among law enforcement officers. Tune in to understand the depth of the problem and what can be done to create a safer, healthier environment for those who protect and serve.

Community engagement is a guiding principle that seeks to develop strong ties and relationships in a community between law enforcement and the people they have sworn to protect. On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes welcomes back Reverend Markel Hutchins to discuss the transformative initiative, National Faith & Blue Weekend. A long-time activist, Reverend Hutchins is a human and civil rights leader, professional speaker, and a friend to the FOP. He has led numerous movements on behalf of humanitarian causes over the course of a two-decade career. Reverend Hutchins has earned a reputation as an advocate for fairness and equality and is one of the senior leaders behind the Faith & Blue initiative. In a candid, unscripted conversation, Reverend Markel Hutchins and National FOP President Patrick Yoes explore the power of community and the role of faith-based organizations in fostering unity and collaboration. With the dates set for October 6th through October 9th, this year's Faith & Blue Weekend aims to be the largest and most impactful yet. Reverend Hutchins shares his insights on the current state of law enforcement and community relations, emphasizing the importance of dialogue over division. He also highlights the successes of previous Faith & Blue Weekends, which have seen thousands of activities across all 50 states, fostering safer, stronger, and more unified communities. Whether you're a law enforcement officer, a community member, or someone who believes in the power of unity, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how you can be a part of this incredible initiative and why it's crucial for the betterment of our society. KEY TAKEAWAYS: The importance of Faith & Blue Weekend in building bridges between law enforcement and communities.How faith-based organizations can be a force multiplier for public safety goals.The exponential growth of Faith in Blue Weekend activities across the nation.Call to action for everyone to get involved, regardless of the scale of the activity. For more information or to find an event near you, visit ➡️  Faith & Blue Official Website Toolkit for Faith & Blue Weekend

On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with the National FOP's General Counsel, Larry James to discuss the myths and the facts about qualified immunity.  Larry James has been at the heart of the Columbus business, legal, civic and political scene for the last 30 years. He is a respected litigator, as well as an advisor to local and national leaders. In recognition of his many achievements, the law firm changed its name from Crabbe, Brown, Jones, Potts & Schmidt to Crabbe, Brown & James in January 2001.

The FOP has always been committed to improving our profession, the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement and employee representation. In recent years, the law enforcement profession has been facing a real crisis in our ability to recruit and retain officers with the abilities, character and integrity to do a very difficult and increasingly dangerous job. There are many professions that are facing similar difficulties, but many of the challenges of retaining veteran officers and hiring quality candidates are unique to law enforcement. Our profession has become more dangerous, and benefits — like good salaries, pensions and health care coverage after retirement — are no longer as attractive or competitive to the new generation On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with National FOP Sergeant At Arms, Keith Turney to discuss the real challenges our profession is facing and how the FOP is leading the way in finding solutions.

On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with Representative Pete Stauber. A former law enforcement officer, Congressman Stauber represents Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. During his tenure as a police officer, Representative Stauber was the victim of two violent gun crimes. In 1995, he was shot in the head while off-duty by a criminal with multiple past offenses. A few years later, a suspect pulled the trigger at point blank range, and by the grace of God, the gun malfunctioned. His experience as a police officer solidified his view that more must be done to support law enforcement and create safer communities. Representative Stauber retired from the Duluth Police Department with the rank of Lieutenant and during his 23 year career, he also served as his lodge’s Vice President.

Body-warm cameras, cellphones, surveillance video—the actions of our law enforcement officers are recorded by multiple cameras every day. Yet, so many times when a video surfaces, the public outcry stems from the fact that the video just looks bad. There’s no dispute that violent encounters, especially when an officer is being attacked and defending themselves, may not look good on video. So how can we have so many encounters captured in the past 10 years on video and the public still remain so uninformed? The reason is because the public has been conditioned over 50 years with a false impression of what the use-of-force looks like in real life. Television and movies have portrayed everything from physical takedowns to the use of deadly force as something sterile with predictable endings for officers.  On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes sits down with Lance LoRusso. A former law enforcement officer turned attorney, Lance has been a use of force instructor for nearly 30 years and has represented over 100 officers following officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths.   00:00 – Intro 00:23 – About Lance LoRusso 01:30 – Bodycams 04:08 – Slip and Capture Errors 05:42 – Correcting Misconceptions 16:40 – The Realities of Using Force 20:23 – Blue Line Lawyer Institute 22:07 – Lance’s Books 23:32 – Final Thoughts

Federal law enforcement officers play a critical role in making sure our nation’s infrastructure, government facilities, and institutions remain safe. As a result, they deserve a fair and secure retirement. Unfortunately, nearly 30,000 Federal law enforcement officers do not receive the same retirement benefits as their other Federal law enforcement colleagues. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes sits down with Representative Bill Pascrell who currently represents New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District. In the 117th Congress, Representative Pascrell was the lead sponsor of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act. The bill, which had over 100 cosponsors at the end of last Congress, is a top priority of the FOP.   00:00 – Intro 00:07 – About Bill Pascrell 10:26 – The 117th Congress 17:37 – Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act 23:43 – The WEP and GPO 29:14 – Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus 33:43 – Final Thoughts

Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered. Just 2 milligrams of it, enough to fit on the tip of a pencil, can be lethal. From large metropolitan areas to rural America, no community is safe from this poison. Across the U.S. we are seeing overdose deaths climb at an alarming rate, especially those caused by the synthetic opioid, fentanyl. According to the CDC, 107,375 people in the United States died of drug overdoses and drug poisonings in the 12-month period ending in January 2022. A staggering 67 percent of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes sits down with Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Anne Milgram. As head of the premier drug enforcement organization in the world, Milgram leads an agency of more than 10,000 public servants, including more than 4,000 Special Agents. Prior to assuming her duties at the DEA, Milgram served as New Jersey’s Attorney General from 2007 to 2010. In that role, Milgram was New Jersey’s chief law enforcement officer, led the 9,000-person Department of Law & Public Safety, and had oversight responsibility for state and county prosecutors and more than 30,000 local law enforcement officers.

This year, the topics of de-escalation training, preventative measures, and institutional reconstruction are highly relevant in the world of law enforcement. There is no magical “de-escalation pixie dust” that can be sprinkled on individuals in crisis to calm them down. De-escalation is a desired outcome; it is a result. It is not a specific technique or tactic. De-escalation cannot be measured solely on whether an officer did or did not use force. There are times when the application of reasonable force is the only way to “de-escalate” a situation. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes sits down with John Bostain. John is the President of Command Presence Training. He has committed the last 26 years to law enforcement, 24 of which have been as a trainer. He has trained more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals at the state, local, federal, and international levels and is a frequent speaker at national law enforcement conferences. He is also the recipient of the 2021 ILEETA Trainer of the Year award. John shares his experience as an award-winning law enforcement trainer, investigator, and detective.

In a groundbreaking stride towards enhanced welfare for both retired racing greyhounds and former U.S. law enforcement officers, a unique partnership has been established. Forged by Greyhounds Australasia (GA) and Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) in tandem with the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the agreement promises to carve out a new life for these retired Australian racing dogs as therapeutic companions for first responders in the United States. On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes sits down with Rob Vellar, Chairman of GA, and Robert Macaulay, CEO GRNSW, to discuss how this innovative initiative will establish a supply channel, dedicated to transporting these greyhounds from Australia to the U.S., ensuring their smooth transition to their new homes of FOP members in the United States.

Today, thousands of police officers and police families are gathering at the U.S. Capitol to honor our fallen brothers and sisters. The National Fraternal Order of Police is hosting its 42nd Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service. Each one of those “white chairs” represents a hero that has fallen, and equally as important, heroes who must carry on. Their lives have been forever changed and through the efforts of so many, they know they are not alone, for we never forget our fallen and the contribution they and their families have made and will continue to make. We will never let them walk alone. As long as there is a need for “white chairs” to be set up on the lawn of our Nation’s Capital on May 15th to remember and honor our fallen, our work is not done. Never should we lose sight of the reason we do what we must all do—which is to remember and honor. Take pride in your efforts, for the Fraternal Order of Police National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service doesn’t just happen; it evolves out of our respect and admiration for those who gave far more than we have. We must never let them walk alone!

On February 20, 2003, Patrolman Jeremy Carruth and PFC David Ezernack, members of the Alexandria Police Department Special Response Team, attempted to arrest a wanted suspect for ambushing an officer a day prior when he fired several shots from an automatic weapon into the officer's patrol car. During the attempt, the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman Carruth and PFC Ezernack and wounding three other officers. For many of us, we can only imagine the pain of losing a loved one in the line of duty. But for one mother, two decades later, she is determined more than ever to honor their memories. In part four of a four part series focused on Police Week, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with Pat Carruth, surviving mother of Patrolman Jeremy “Jay” Carruth. After having her life flipped upside down, in her role as National President of Concerns of Police Survivors, Pat has made it her mission to help other surviving families march on.