COVER STORY: The Weight of the Badge

COVER STORY: The Weight of the Badge
By: Joel E. Gordon

Imagine working under a microscope, being judged for taking the very actions that you were hired to do, often being held responsible by others with adversarial views or personally beneficial motivations against the greater good. Welcome to reality in the world of law enforcement as experienced by many.

Every day, police officers face challenges that go beyond writing reports or patrolling neighborhoods. Behind the badge lies a heavy toll that affects our mental, physical and emotional health. While the work is vital for community safety, the cost for those who serve often remains hidden. Understanding this toll is key for making law enforcement better — not just for officers, but for everyone they protect.

Police work is dangerous. Officers often face assaults, car crashes and other physical dangers during duty. Data shows that law enforcement officers are injured at a rate higher than many other professions. These injuries can be minor or severe but often lead to long-term health issues.

After many emergency responses and potentially violent encounters, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which is a branch of the autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions in response to stress or perceived danger, often diminishes as a result of burnout from too many adrenaline rushes initiating the sympathetic nervous response over a period of time.

Long-term health problems linked to policing include heart disease, stress-related illnesses and musculoskeletal pain. The physical strain of carrying heavy gear or chasing suspects takes a toll on the body over time. Experts say these risks aren’t just accidents — they’re rooted in the job’s demanding nature.

Officers work odd hours — night shifts, weekends, holidays — that disrupt their sleep patterns. This can make it hard to get enough rest, leading to fatigue. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of accidents, mistakes and health problems.

Shift work also affects mental health and increases the chance of developing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. The body’s internal clock gets confused, and over years, this can wear down even the strongest officers.

Many officers face mental health issues like PTSD, depression and anxiety. Exposure to traumatic scenes — accidents, violence, deaths — can leave scars that don’t heal easily. The constant confrontation with danger wears down their mental resilience over time.

Talking about mental health isn’t easy for officers. A culture persists where admitting they’re struggling is seen as weakness. Fear of judgment or losing their job can prevent many from seeking help. Fortunately, some departments are working hard to change this view through wellness programs and stigma-reduction campaigns.

Job stress and traumatic experiences often spill into officers’ personal lives. Some struggle to connect with family members or maintain healthy relationships. In extreme cases, this job-related stress leads to divorce or family breakdowns.

Many officers withdraw from friends and social activities. The demanding nature of the work makes it harder to keep friendships strong. Over time, this social isolation can deepen, leading to loneliness and a sense of disconnect from the community they serve.

High stress levels push many officers toward burnout. When exhaustion and dissatisfaction grow, departments see more resignations and retirements. This turnover affects police operations, costs departments money and weakens community trust.

Stress influences how officers make split-second decisions. When overwhelmed, some may resort to force more often, which can damage their relationship with residents. High-profile incidents can make communities feel distrustful or fearful of law enforcement.

Providing mental health counseling, peer groups, and resilience programs can help officers handle stress better. Regular check-ins with mental health professionals makes a huge difference. Departments that prioritize wellness create healthier, more effective officers.

Encouraging honesty and openness about mental health can foster a supportive environment. Rethinking shift schedules and workload can reduce exhaustion. Training officers on stress and trauma management prepares them better for tough moments.

Actionable Tips for Law Enforcement Agencies

·         Hold routine mental health checkups for staff.

·         Offer stress management and relaxation training.

·         Develop community partnerships to create supportive networks.

·         Promote a culture of caring and understanding within the department.

·         Support good faith efforts of officers’ actions within the bounds of constitutional limits.

Policing is a difficult job in regulating human behavior to a high degree that is not for everyone. It takes a serious toll on officers and ultimately on the communities they serve. From physical injuries to emotional scars, the cost of the job can be overwhelming. Addressing these issues requires commitment, cultural change and better support systems. Only then can we foster safer, healthier environments for everyone. Advocating for policy reforms, mental health care and community collaboration is the way forward. Together, we can ensure that those who protect us are also protected.

Joel E. Gordon, BLUE Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com

BLUE EDITOR UP FRONT

BLUE EDITOR UP FRONT

"Taking a toll" means to have a damaging or harmful effect on someone or something, according to Cambridge Dictionary. It's often used to describe how a difficult situation or event negatively impacts a person's health, well-being or finances.

In this edition of BLUE Magazine we take an in-depth look at what impacts us negatively. Careers in law enforcement, corrections, and in the first responder world are not for everyone and often result in personal harm from the many adversarial and traumatic encounters endured over time. Lack of political support for the very services we are hired to provide adds to the relentless stress of functioning under a microscope.

Behind the badge lies a heavy toll that affects our mental, physical and emotional health. Our cover story The Weight of the Badge further sets the stage for painting a picture of what contributes to the toll our profession so often takes on our lives of dedicated service. We provide some recommendations on actionable tips for law enforcement agencies to explore for implementation or expansion.

Be sure to check out our other informative and inspirational articles. Monica Crawford encourages empowerment in My Story of Career Transition. Leonard Sipes asks, Is Policing The Toughest Job In America? Deon Joseph asks, Is it Time to Reconsider Our Approach?  Lt. Joseph Pangaro (Ret.) provides A Tactical Guide for Officers Facing Violent Protests. Stan Popovich gives us Six Reasons Why a  Police Officer Should Get Help For Their Mental Health, and Chris Amos’ provides his Police Chaplains Perspective reminding us that There Is Hope.

Other articles of equal interest will be found throughout this issue. Once you begin reading, you won’t want to stop!

The untimely death of our friend and mentor, Commissioner Bernard Kerik, has saddened us immensely. As our founder and publisher Daniel Del Valle recently said, the BLUE Magazine will continue to forge ahead with the same intensity and focus in keeping with the legacy Commissioner Kerik left behind in support and dedication to our law enforcement community while always striving for the greater good. May Commissioner Kerik rest in eternal peace. We will strive to keep his work front and center as we take his life's mission over from here.

As always, we at BLUE Magazine remain anxious for your input, stories, knowledge and experiences. Our sister organization Moment of Silence remains committed to our wellness and longevity. We rise by lifting others. Reach out to us; we want to hear from you!

Joel E. Gordon
Editor-in-Chief

Is Policing The Toughest Job In America?

Is Policing The Toughest Job In America?
By: Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.

There seem to be a lot of pissed-off cops.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States lost over 25,000 local police employees, and the number is higher if you include state agencies. Police agencies throughout the country are complaining that the number of recruits is dropping. As a result, they are lowering standards.

Some cities report they are approximately 1,000 officers below authorized levels. Some cities are reporting over an hour’s wait time for police officers to arrive, which has an obvious impact on crime reporting and public safety.

All of this is indicative of problems law enforcement officers face. Is the job of being a police officer so difficult as to persuade potential applicants not to apply and thousands to leave? If so, what’s the impact on citizen safety and the delivery of services?

Part of the problem is the unrelenting negative media coverage of police use of force. But many in law enforcement believe that force (or the threat of force) isn’t because of overly aggressive cops; it’s more an issue of uncooperative suspects or hostile people they interact with.

Repeated surveys from the US Department of Justice indicate that police use “or” threat of force is rare, two percent of 50-60 million yearly police encounters. Citizen surveys are supportive of law enforcement based on trust and fairness regardless of demographics. 

So what are the reasons that being a cop has become so hard?

When I was a police officer decades ago, the great majority of the people I interacted with (including those I arrested) were civil and compliant. It was rare to use physical force. But today’s environment seems different.

Data indicates that 42 percent of police shootings involve people in mental health crises. In most of these cases, it involved potential or ongoing acts of violence.

As I progressed through the justice system, I discovered that mental health caseloads tripled in parole and probation and correctional agencies.

Pew’s analysis found that adults reporting co-occurring serious or moderate mental illness (hereafter “mental illness”) and substance use disorders in the past year were far more likely to be arrested (emphasis added) compared with both those with mental illness alone and those who didn’t experience any mental illness or substance use disorder.

First, we need to establish that all available data indicates that the great majority of people with mental health or substance abuse issues will not engage in criminal activity. But what I’m hearing from today’s cops is that interactions with the public are far more intense than in previous years, possibly based on people using drugs or alcohol or having emotional problems.

There is immense controversy regarding police interactions and the use of force. The simplest of exchanges can explode. According to national polling from the USDOJ, two percent of police-citizen contacts involve the use “or” threat of force.

Per Bureau of Justice Statistics research, more than half of all prison and jail inmates had mental health problems. These estimates represented 56% of state prisoners, 45% of federal prisoners and 64% of jail inmates. Being these are self-reports, the actual numbers are higher.

Add substance abuse and histories of violence and data stating that most correctional offenders come from troubled backgrounds (i.e., child abuse and neglect, brain injuries, exposure to violence, sexual abuse as children for female offenders) and we begin to understand the dangers and difficulties of police officers making stops and arrests.

So in the final analysis, police officers are interacting with an immense number of people with a wide array of mental health and substance problems. Not covered in this article are the physical and developmental disabilities prevalent in our society. The rate of child abuse and neglect within the offender population is considerable.

It takes an extraordinary police officer with immense skills to wade through these issues and make the right decision every time. When I was a cop, I discovered that it was almost impossible to make the right call every time I interacted with the public. With the loss of police officers and with society piling on additional duties (i.e., school security, red flag laws, event security, mass shooting prevention) being a police officer IS much harder than ever.

Making a mistake now means that you are on the front page of every newspaper in the country.

Do we provide the training necessary to successfully deal with the array of issues listed above? No. Do we provide cops with the less-than-lethal weapons designed to incapacitate with minimal harm? No.

Is any of this an excuse for bad behavior on the part of police officers? No. But I have seen mild-mannered cops dedicated to equal and constitutional law enforcement lose their tempers when a criminal threatened his family with violence.

Maybe it’s time to make sure that every police officer in America has the skills, training and equipment necessary to successfully interact with people with troubled backgrounds. Maybe it’s time to attend to the mental health of cops. Maybe it’s time to understand the high suicide rate in law enforcement.

Maybe it’s time to understand the risks cops take. 50-60 officers are feloniously killed each year. Over 79,000 law enforcement officers were assaulted while performing their duties.

Maybe it’s time to stop stereotyping all cops as brutal based on the mistakes of a few. 

Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.is a retired federal senior spokesperson. A former Adjunct Associate Professor of Criminology and Public Affairs - University of Maryland. Former advisor to the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign. Past police officer. Aspiring drummer. Operator of CrimeinAmerica.net. His book based on thirty-five years of criminal justice public relations,” Success with the Media: Everything You Need to Survive Reporters and Your Organization” is available at Amazon and additional booksellers. He can also be found @ leonardsipes.com

Embrace the Ride: Navigating the Unpredictability of a Law Enforcement Career

Embrace the Ride: Navigating the Unpredictability of a Law Enforcement Career
By DLT. Joe Bucco Jr.

Whether you’re fresh out of the academy or deep into your second decade of service, one reality remains; a law enforcement career rarely unfolds exactly as planned.

Most officers enter the profession with a vision; an image of what success might look like. For some, it’s earning a spot on a specialized unit or being promoted into a supervision role. For others, it's simply making it through the early years, earning credibility and one day retiring with dignity, health and your integrity intact. But if there’s one truth seasoned officers will all agree on, it’s this: The road from aspiration to achievement is rarely if ever a straight line.

The journey is marked by detours, setbacks and unplanned changes. That is not a flaw in the process. That is the process.

From day one, this profession demands adaptability. Officers encounter organizational restructuring, leadership shifts, unanticipated personal challenges and opportunities that appear or disappear without warning. Some challenges are systemic, including internal politics, injuries, resource constraints or the emotional toll of critical incidents. Others are more personal, such as burnout, missteps or the slow erosion of motivation. But in many cases, what first appears to be a professional setback eventually proves to be a pivotal moment of growth.

If you’re just beginning your career, you’ll quickly learn that no training academy can fully prepare you for the complexity of this work. Real-world policing tests your judgment, empathy and endurance in ways that defy simulation. If you’re in the middle of your career, you already understand how difficult it can be to stay engaged once the initial excitement fades and the daily grind takes over.

But here is a critical truth: Longevity and success in law enforcement do not depend on everything going right. They depend on your ability to adapt and maintain a positive attitude when things go wrong.

This job is not always glamorous. Behind the scenes are long nights, thankless tasks and emotionally draining calls that leave a lasting impression. But growth often happens in these less visible moments. True development occurs not only when you earn a promotion or receive recognition, but also during those difficult shifts that force you to reexamine your values, strengthen your resolve and recalibrate your focus.

Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” Consider asking, “What can I learn from this?” That shift in mindset can be a powerful tool for navigating the unpredictable.

Perspective, more than any tactic or tool, may be the most valuable resource you possess. It is easy to become narrowly focused on department politics, public opinion or organizational frustrations. But with a broader perspective, it becomes clear that every chapter of your career carries value, even the ones that do not feel that way in the moment.

If you are in that middle stage of your career, no longer new but not yet nearing retirement, you may be wondering what comes next. Perhaps your original goals have not materialized. Or maybe they have, but the experience feels underwhelming. This is common, and it is no reason to panic. The midpoint of your career is not a dead end. It is a proving ground. Use this time to mentor others, refine your leadership style and prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

It is also important to remember that law enforcement may be your profession, but it does not have to be your sole identity. The skills you’ve developed such as crisis management, emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making are not only essential within this profession. They are highly valued in a wide range of fields. Whether you move into corporate security, education, consulting or explore an entirely new career path, your experience in law enforcement provides a meaningful foundation.

This career will challenge you in ways few others can. You will witness humanity at its best and at its worst, often within the same day. You will encounter moments that inspire you and others that test your resilience. But through it all, the profession will shape your character, your worldview, and your leadership.

So, wherever you are on your journey, whether you are lacing up your boots for your first shift or approaching the final years of your service, keep this in mind: The path will not always be clear. It may not make sense in the moment. But if you remain open to growth, resilient in the face of adversity and committed to learning through every season, you will ultimately find your way.

And when you look back, you will recognize that even the setbacks had meaning. They helped shape you into the officer and the person you were always meant to become.

Joseph Bucco Jr. is a Municipal Police Lieutenant in northern New Jersey.  He is currently in his 22nd year of service and is assigned to the Detective Division as the Division Commander. Some of his past assignments include the departments Patrol Division, Street Crimes Unit as well as an on-loan assignment with a Multi-Jurisdictional Fugitive Task Force. He received a B.A from Ramapo College of New Jersey and an M.A from Seton Hall University. In the fall of 2018, in addition to his police and consulting careers, Joe accepted a position as a Business Development Manager with a national communications and media company that is solely focused on serving our nation’s law enforcement officers. 

REMEMBRANCE: Deputy Sheriff William May

REMEMBRANCE: Deputy Sheriff William May
Artwork by Jonny Castro

Walton County, Florida, Deputy Sheriff William May wasn’t supposed to be working on Wednesday afternoon April 2, 2025. He decided to volunteer for an overtime shift to help provide staffing assistance. During that shift, a Dollar General store in Mossy Head, Florida, called 911 regarding an individual inside causing a disturbance, and needed him to be trespassed from the scene. Deputy May responded to that call. It was his last stop before heading home for the day.

Upon arriving at the location, Deputy May made contact with the suspect and the two had a brief conversation. Within 10 seconds of escorting the male out of the store, the suspect pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds at the deputy. Although body armor was credited with stopping several rounds, one of the rounds struck him just outside the protective area of his vest. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and kill the gunman. At least 18 rounds were fired in the short but violent gun battle. Deputy May was rushed to the hospital where medical staff fought for four hours to try and save his life, but he succumbed to his injuries later that evening.

Deputy William May had been a member of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office since 2014. He started as a communication officer, and was eventually promoted to deputy sheriff in 2019. Deputy May leaves behind a wife and four children.

Carrying the Weight That Wasn’t Ours

Carrying the Weight That Wasn’t Ours
By: Adam Boyd

A young warrior once set off on a long journey across the mountains. Before he left, the village elders handed him a heavy pack filled with gear—flint, rope, dried food, even a cast-iron pot. It was tradition, and no one questioned it.

As he walked, he collected more tools. A friend gave him extra rope, another insisted he carry stones “for strength.” He never questioned what he was carrying. He just kept moving.

The higher he climbed, the more the weight began to hurt, first his shoulders, then his back, then his spirit. But he pushed on. That’s what warriors do.

When he finally reached the summit, he collapsed. Exhausted, aching, and broken. Curious, he opened the pack to see what had worn him down. That’s when he saw the truth: he hadn’t needed most of it. He had been carrying weight that wasn’t his to carry.

This story may feel familiar to a lot of us — especially in law enforcement, fire service and the military.

We’re trained to carry stress, trauma, pressure and responsibility like it’s just part of the job. And while some of it is ...  much of what we carry, we’ve never been shown how to process or release. We just pack it in and keep going. Until we break down.

But resilience isn’t about enduring. It’s about being able to recover faster from those hardships. To help us do that, we need to learn when to carry, when to set down, and how to recover for the next climb.

True resilience is a skill. A system. A choice.

After over a decade in law enforcement and years of working with first responders and tactical athletes, I’ve seen firsthand what makes someone thrive and what slowly takes them out of the fight.

Resilience comes down to three key pillars:

1. Control the Physiology
 Your breath, heart rate and nervous system dictate how you show up. If your body is constantly in fight-or-flight, performance drops, relationships suffer, and decisions falter.
 Tools like breath work, ice exposure and movement retrain the body to respond, not just react.

2. Master the Mind
 We’re never taught how to manage our thoughts. Mental toughness isn’t born, it’s built. Techniques like visualization, stress inoculation and internal dialogue help keep clarity when the chaos hits.

3. Optimize Recovery
 You don’t grow in the stress, you grow in the recovery. Prioritizing quality sleep, deliberate rest and mindful habits restores your capacity. Otherwise, you’re pouring from an empty cup.

These pillars aren’t theories, they're part of a system we’ve developed and delivered in departments, training rooms and retreats across the country.

At Soleful Training, we’ve built a 3-step system specifically for those who serve. The Soleful Warrior Program helps first responders develop practical, sustainable resilience through workshops and a 12-week immersive experience. We don’t preach. We train. We guide warriors through tools that strengthen the body, focus the mind and rebuild recovery without adding extra weight to their lives.

This isn’t just another wellness talk. It's strength. It’s breath. It’s mindset. It’s action.

Departments need more than an outside voice, they need internal leaders who carry the torch. That’s why we offer a Train-the-Trainer track, equipping select staff to bring the Soleful Warrior principles in-house.

With it, the program becomes part of the culture — not just another training. And when wellness lives in the culture, it impacts the team, the family, and the community.

Set It Down

So here’s the question, what are you carrying right now that you no longer need?

Old expectations? Past trauma? Shame for struggling? The pressure to be everything to everyone?

You don’t have to carry it all. You’re allowed to set some of it down.

Resilience is not about being tougher. It’s about being smarter, lighter and more prepared for the journey ahead.

If you or your department is ready to take that step, we’re here to walk it with you.

Let’s build warriors who know the strength of letting go.

Adam Boyd is a former SWAT operator, detective, and ultra runner with over a decade in law enforcement. After losing his father to cancer at 33 and two fellow officers to early heart attacks, he dedicated his life to building first responder resilience. Adam holds multiple wellness certifications, including Wim Hof Method and T-SAC, and has trained SWAT and first responders around the nation. He now leads holistic programs focused on performance, recovery, and mental toughness. He is the founder of Soleful Training www.solefultraining.com

Preparing Your Finances before Applying for a Mortgage

Preparing Your Finances before Applying for a Mortgage
By: Geoffrey J. Rejent

A home purchase is one of the most significant financial commitments you can make, and obtaining a mortgage is a very important step in the process.  It is important to have your finances in order before completing mortgage applications.  Proper financial preparation will help you ensure a relatively easy application process, avoid stress and potentially save thousands of dollars in interest costs over the life of your loan. The following steps can serve as a guide on how to prepare your finances before applying for a mortgage.

1. Evaluate Your Credit Score and Credit Report

Your credit score is a major factor that lenders consider when reviewing your mortgage application.A higher credit score will usually translate into a lower interest rate, thus saving you money over the life of the loan.  Before applying for a mortgage, you should obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).  It is important to take time to review the information for accuracy.  If you determine that there are inaccuracies, you can contact the credit bureaus and the creditors and notify them of the discrepancies. You can improve your credit score by doing the following:

·         Pay off outstanding debts.

·         Ensure that you are current on all installment loans.

·         Avoid opening new credit accounts or taking out new loans prior to applying for a mortgage.

·         Reduce the amount of overall debt you owe by keeping balances low on credit cards and avoiding any large-scale purchases.

2. Establish a Stable Employment History

Most lenders prefer applicants with a stable employment history. A stable employment history usually translates into less risk for the lender. Most lenders require at least two years of consistent employment in the same field and at least one year with the same employer.  Self-employed individuals may need to provide additional documentation to prove their income.  Some additional documents that prove stable income include tax returns and profit-and-loss statements.

3. Build an Emergency Fund

Homeownership comes with expenses (both expected and unexpected).  These include repairs and maintenance.  Establishing an emergency fund can provide financial security and prevent you from defaulting on mortgage payments if an emergency arises.The following are tips for building an emergency fund:

·         Focus on saving at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses.

·         Keep your emergency fund in an easily accessible account such as a high-yield savings account.

·         Contribute to your emergency fund regularly (automate the deposits if possible).

4.  Reduce Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is another important number lenders use to evaluate your ability to manage monthly mortgage payments. A lower DTI indicates that you have adequate income to cover your debts and other financial obligations.  Certain mortgages have DTI thresholds in order to conform with the lending guidelines.  You may not qualify for certain types of loans if your DTI is higher than the maximum limit.

Ways Lower Your DTI:

·         Pay off or consolidate high-interest debt to reduce monthly obligations.

·         Increase your income through additional income sources such as overtime, side jobs or career advancements.

·         Avoid making any large purchases that require installment payments prior to applying for a mortgage.

5.  Save for a Down Payment and Closing Costs

A large down payment can improve your loan eligibility and reduce your monthly mortgage payments.  Conventional loans typically require a 20% down payment to avoid private mortgage insurance (known as PMI).  PMI protects the lender in the event that the borrower defaults on the mortgage.  There are loan options available with down payments as low as 3% for qualified buyers for residential properties.

Ways to Save for a Down Payment:

·         Create a separate savings account dedicated to your down payment and closing costs.  It is best to automate the process so that a certain amount is deposited into the account each pay period. 

·         Reduce discretionary spending and deposit those funds into your savings.

·         Explore special mortgage programs and grants that may offer down payment assistance.

·         Look for properties where the seller is offering closing cost credits.

·         You can consider using gifts from family members; however, you must be aware that lenders may require a letter from the gifting family member disclosing that the money was a gift. 

You need to budget for closing costs, which typically range from 2% to 5% of the home's purchase price. These costs include appraisal fees, title insurance, surveys and other administrative expenses.

6. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Obtaining a mortgage pre-approval is a preliminary evaluation conducted by a lender that determines how much a borrower can borrow based on your specific financial situation.  A pre-approval gives you a budget to operate within when shopping for a home and strengthens your position in the eyes of the seller when making an offer.  The following are required for a pre-approval:

·         Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, W-2 forms)

·         Bank statements and investment account summaries

·         Current debts or revolving credit

·         Credit reports and scores

·         An employment verification letter

A pre-approval doesn’t necessarily guarantee a loan, but it is generally beneficial to have one when negotiating with sellers and real estate agents.

Conclusion

Preparing your finances prior to applying for a mortgage can improve your chances of obtaining the best mortgage with the most favorable terms for you. Following the advice in this article will improve your chances of obtaining a mortgage approval.  The goal is to have financial success as a homeowner while having an equity stake in the nation we serve as first responders. 

Geoffrey J. Rejent is a Municipal Police Sergeant in New Jersey.  He is currently in his 22nd year of service and is assigned to Special Operations.  Prior to Special Operations, he was assigned to the Detective Bureau, Traffic Bureau and Patrol Division.  He also currently serves as a Drug Recognition Expert and is a former Crash Reconstructionist.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Marist College and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  He is also a Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS 2624041) with One Real Mortgage (198414).  You can reach Geoffrey J. Rejent by email at Geoffrey.Rejent@onerealmortgage.com or by Facebook at Geoffrey J. Rejent – For All of Your Mortgage Needs.

THE CALLING: Exploring First Responder Career Paths

THE CALLING: Exploring First Responder Career Paths
By: Joel E. Gordon

First responders are the backbone of emergency services. They rush into chaos to save lives, protect property, and keep communities safe. As demand for these vital roles grows, so do chances for careers in emergency response.

First responders are trained professionals like police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs. They are the first on the scene during accidents, disasters, or crimes. Their main job is to provide immediate help, secure the area, and start the rescue process. Each role has different tasks, but all share the goal of quick, effective action.

Every year, millions of emergency incidents happen across the country. Response time can make a big difference—sometimes saving lives or preventing injuries. For example, a firefighter extinguishing a house fire or an EMT stabilizing a patient can change everything. Their work is often unseen but absolutely essential.

First responders need a mix of physical, mental, and technical skills. Sharp communication, quick thinking, and teamwork are a must. These skills readily transfer into further career growth as in the case of a trained paramedic becoming an RN as field work becomes more prohibitive as the individuals aging process takes hold. Educational requirements vary: most roles need high school diplomas or GEDs, plus specialized certifications. Strong problem-solving abilities and emotional resilience are just as important as physical fitness.

Camaraderie among first responders can be second to none. During times of trials and tribulations the support, care, and understanding of fellow first responders can make a huge difference when undergoing difficulties when dealing with critical medical conditions or other issues in our own personal lives.

Career Paths in First Response

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●Police Officer

Police officers are tasked with law enforcement, community safety, and crime prevention. Many police departments offer specialized units like K-9, cybercrime, or SWAT teams. Career growth often involves promotions to sergeant, lieutenant, or even higher roles like chief. Continuous training helps officers handle evolving challenges.

●Firefighter

Firefighters fight fires, perform rescues, and provide emergency medical aid. They often work in shifts to ensure 24/7 coverage. Advancement might include roles in fire inspection, training, or hazardous materials teams. Becoming a fire captain or fire chief is a common next step.

●Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel

EMTs and paramedics respond to medical emergencies outside hospitals. Starting as an EMT is typical, then moving up to advanced paramedic roles or EMS supervisor positions. Many EMS professionals also choose to specialize in areas like EMS education or management.

●Specializations and Support Roles

Beyond core responder jobs, there are support roles like dispatchers who coordinate responses or communication specialists who operate emergency radios. Search and rescue teams, disaster response units, tactical law enforcement, and bomb squads are specialized fields requiring additional skills and training.

Most jobs in emergency services demand certain basics: age limits (usually 18+), background checks, and physical fitness tests. Candidates must also pass written exams and drug tests. Certifications like CPR and first aid are often mandatory from the start.

Attending police or fire academies is common for initial training. On-the-job training helps new hires adapt quickly. Continuing education keeps skills fresh and up-to-date. Many agencies endorse courses on advanced medical procedures or crisis management.

Local governments often fund training programs for first responders. Scholarships and grants are available, especially for those committed to long-term careers. Some employers even cover training costs after hiring, so researching available resources can reduce financial barriers.

Starting as an entry-level responder is just the beginning. Many move into supervisory roles, specialized units, or become trainers themselves. Careers in emergency management or public safety administration are also options for those ready to lead.

Keeping skills current is key. Certifications like Advanced EMT, Hazardous Materials Technician, or Incident Command System boost employability. Attending workshops and courses improves expertise and prepares responders for bigger responsibilities and future endeavors.

Experts say that career growth in this field often depends on dedication and lifelong learning. Stories of first responders who started at the bottom and now lead teams or manage entire departments are common. These roles bring a deep sense of pride and community impact.

The job is physically demanding, and responders face danger during every call. Emotional stress from traumatic scenes can take a toll. Odd hours, night shifts, and unpredictable schedules add to the challenge, making mental health and self-care vital.

Despite hardships, many find their career deeply rewarding. Saving lives, helping communities, and making a difference bring unmatched satisfaction. Personal growth, new skills, and camaraderie often result from this line of work.

First responder careers come with a wide range of options—from police and fire to EMS and beyond. Proper training and continuous education are keys to success and advancement. If you’re drawn to helping others and thrive under pressure, this field offers a fulfilling path. Exploring these opportunities might just lead you to your life's most meaningful work and a chance to make a real difference in the world out in the field and even later in a career path of service.

Joel E. Gordon, BLUE Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com

Internal versus External “Customers”

Internal versus External “Customers”
By: Heather Glogolich, Ed.D.

I’m tired of women and men in this profession feeling as though they don’t have a voice. I’m tired of our cops feeling as though they have to change who they are to fit in when it’s who they are as individuals that brings so much positive impact. And maybe, fundamentally, that’s the problem with policing. As paramilitary organizations, the culture has remained traditional. But there is a way to keep traditions while not remaining stagnant.

The world changes at such a fast pace, yet “leaders” of law enforcement organizations fear change. They choose to hold onto the facets of policing that are antiquated. Change happens as a response, not as a proactive forethought. Traditionally, problems are handled as they come in and yet outside of law enforcement, companies continually look toward proactive progress; progress within the team as a whole in order to positively attract and affect the customer.

If you read your mission statement and it puts the “customer” first - then you’re doing it wrong. And by customer, I mean the stakeholders within the communities you serve. It should be team first. There cannot be an expectation of excellent customer service when there is lackluster leadership for those who are tasked with supplying said services.

Chiefs, mayors, police directors, business administrators and other heads of organizations - they tend to have to focus on the bottom line. Budgets and contracts. Responses to incidents and deterrence of crime. Availability to the community and all their needs. They put those things first because they have to answer for it. Imagine if they took care of those out of necessity instead of priority and made the priority the people on their teams. Imagine if these leaders actually led their teams by example and then the team was able to turn around and be tasked with the excellent customer service out of internalization for the real mission.

As a leader, when you put your team first, your team will in turn put the people they sacrifice for first. Crazy concept, right? Treat your people how you want them to treat others? And with that - I challenge you all to change your agency mission statements. Instead of saying that the priority is excellence for the community through crime deterrence and proactive policing based or however you agency minces those words, say this:

Our mission is to build a team comprised of women and men that understand they are the priority through inclusion and wellness initiatives. Through our dedication to each and every one of them and their personal and professional growth, we will be able to provide exceptional services for all throughout our community based on this standard of excellence.

Imagine how retention would be. Imagine how recruitment would be. Imagine officers wanting to come to work because they feel valued, appreciated and supported. If they feel that way, they will pay it forward. Imagine having your team feel like their voice matters - in every room and at every table. That’s progressive policing. That’s the change this profession deserves.

Heather Glogolich is a 20+ year NJ Law Enforcement Professional. Heather is currently a Captain with the New Jersey Institute of Technology Department of Public Safety and holds a Doctorate of Higher Education from Saint Elizabeth University. She is an instructor for the NJ Chiefs of Police Command & Leadership Training Course, and is a PTC Certified Police Academy Instructor.

A Recipe for a Career

A Recipe for a Career
By: Marty Katz

Often, when I teach around the country, students ask me about my career and how that worked out for me. I always start with any success I have; and it can be the same for you if you apply a certain positive attitude. My career was divided into three parts. All the parts directly result from following what I consider my simple rules. More on the rules later.

The first part was the initial learning phase. These were the years from 1973 to 1980, during which my academy and field training took place. I was a new officer and followed the lead and words of the senior officers of the agency. Back then, officers were not specialists; they could and would handle anything. They excelled in people skills and had a great work ethic. During these years, the foundation of my career was built. It was a rocky road and a time of trial and error.

The second and third parts were ones of excitement and adventure. From 1981 until the end of my career (2007), I worked in South Florida. Americans woke up to the infestation of drugs, arriving into the country via South Florida. Crime was increasing. The years 1984 until 1991, I worked in street crime units, undercover narcotics, and SWAT. It was a time of putting into practice everything I was taught. Being at the forefront of policing that was being developed in South Florida was awesome. Life was fast-paced and groundbreaking. This second phase was critical as it led to the third phase.

I was in the supervisor phase from 1991 until I retired in 2007. It was about mentoring other officers using the skills learned and the survived experiences. During these years, I supervised patrol shifts, the recruitment division, the police academy, detective bureaus, and street crimes units. It was the time I could pay back those who trained me by training the next generation.

Now, on to my rules for law enforcement success.

The philosophy I had was critical to obtaining these assignments. I viewed myself as just another police officer doing a job and always trying to be the best I could be. I was never the best; I was doing the best I could. I never said no to any assignment or request. No matter how difficult, it was important to me to say yes and to make it appear to be an easy task. No one knows the behind-the-scenes work it took to present an always-positive front and complete everything before the due dates. By being available for any assignment, I also convinced the command that my real love was to increase my ability via advanced training.

As I took classes, I returned to the agency to train others. Soon, the number of classes increased, and over time, the number of courses and academies attended approached just the other side of 150. It was essential to provide excellent police service, as I enjoyed the profession.

A victim should never be victimized a second time due to poor police response. This attitude allowed me some freedom to pursue the full range of opportunities. Most people are employed at a job that seems never to change. In law enforcement, I could move about and try different assignments regularly. It was like a new job every five years while keeping all the benefits. I never wanted to be a chief. Budgets are someone else's headache. The excitement and rewards lie with being a shift or squad supervisor.

I love working daily through all of society's problems, calling out for help and being first on the scene. Never knowing what the next call would be — racing from scene to scene to scene. This is what makes a great and exciting career.

Produce excellent results, be positive, join the team and just smile. Those are my rules for success.

Marty Katz is a retired sergeant with the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During his 34-year career, his assignments included field training officer, SWAT team member, undercover narcotics detective, academy instructor, street crime suppression unit, and supervisor of Recruitment, Criminal investigations, and Patrol. Marty is a Florida Department of Law Enforcement certified instructor (Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Driving, First Responder, Ethics, and Human Diversity), Expert Witness for Use of Force issues, a member of ILEETA, and past Florida Chapter Director for the International Association of Ethics Trainers In addition, Marty has trained in Japan with the Tokyo Metropolitan Riot Police and is a martial arts instructor. Marty is the owner and chief instructor of Crimewave Solutions, a training company for officer survival and common sense self-defense. Past the Uniform, Hot Potato, and From Another Dimension are three books authored by Marty and available on Amazon.

War, Inequality, and Policing: The Hidden Costs of America’s Military Empire

War, Inequality, and Policing: The Hidden Costs of America’s Military Empire
By: Peter Marina, PhD

Across the political spectrum, many Americans are grappling with the consequences of a new and escalating military conflict in the Middle East, this time involving direct strikes on Iran. The echoes of past disastrous wars, particularly the 2003 invasion of Iraq based on false claims of weapons of mass destruction, resonate loudly as the U.S. renews its interventionist posture. Yet Iran, with its population of over 90 million and significant regional influence, is not Iraq. This renewed conflict deepens regional instability, carries vast humanitarian costs, and reflects a troubling pattern of militarized foreign policy disconnected from nuanced understanding or public accountability.

Despite this, U.S. policymakers continue to prioritize military aggression and defense spending over urgent domestic needs. Billions flow into the military-industrial complex, including unprecedented aid to allies such as Israel, while critical social services at home, such as housing, healthcare and education, face chronic underfunding and cuts. This misallocation reinforces systemic inequality, fuels social discontent and indirectly exacerbates conditions that drive crime and insecurity within American communities.

The connection between America’s war-making abroad and policing at home is intimate and profound. With a sprawling military budget exceeding $1.2 trillion annually, factoring in overseas bases, veterans’ care and homeland security, this immense expenditure supports a punitive approach to domestic social problems. Policing increasingly resembles a domestic extension of militarized state power, where enforcement and control often overshadow care and justice. Understanding this linkage is essential: resources dedicated to maintaining global military dominance come at the expense of addressing the root causes of social instability, deepening cycles of deprivation, violence and distrust on American streets.

This endless military spending deepens economic inequality, drains resources from essential social services and reinforces a punitive criminal justice system rooted in deprivation and state violence.

Redirecting War Funds to Heal America
The connection is clearer than many realize. The United States spends over a trillion dollars annually on its military-industrial complex waging forever wars, maintaining roughly 750 to 1,000 overseas military bases across more than 80 countries, and providing billions in military aid to allies like Israel. This massive spending diverts resources from critical social investments at home, investments that could drastically reduce crime by addressing its root causes.

In just Ukraine alone, since 2014, the U.S. has disbursed between $83.4 billion and $119.7 billion in aid, with over $175 billion allocated by Congress, most of it since 2022. Roughly $69.7 billion of this total is military aid, with the rest going toward financial and humanitarian assistance.

That $175 billion could have made public university education tuition-free, canceled all student debt and ended homelessness several times over. The issue isn’t scarcity, it’s political will.

Israel, Gaza and the High Cost of War
According to Brown University's Costs of War Project, the United States disbursed approximately $17.9 billion in direct military aid to Israel from Oct. 7, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, the largest amount in a single year in U.S.-Israel relations. In addition, the U.S. spent another $4.86 billion on related regional operations, including naval and air deployments aimed at protecting shipping lanes and countering regional threats.

The $20 billion spent aiding Israel in one year could have housed every unhoused person in the U.S., with billions left to spare.

This vast allocation of public funds, while domestic crises like housing insecurity and healthcare remain underfunded, has intensified scrutiny over the moral and material costs of U.S. foreign policy, particularly given the scale of civilian deaths in Gaza and growing allegations of war crimes and apartheid.

The Price of War or the Cost of Care?
Ending homelessness in the U.S. would cost an estimated $11–30 billion annually, with $20 billion widely cited as sufficient to provide stable housing and wraparound services for all 650,000 unhoused people.

Permanent supportive housing costs roughly $12,800 per person per year, far less than the $35,000+ spent per person on emergency responses like jails, ER visits and shelters. We can afford it. The only thing missing is the moral and political resolve.

Instead of nurturing critical thinkers, public universities now treat students as customers, charging market rates for what should be a public good. A fraction of what we spend on war could make university education affordable and liberating.

If we truly wanted to “make America great,” we’d start by ending our endless wars and realigning national priorities toward investing in the people who live here, e.g., students, workers, families and communities, not corporations and foreign militaries.

Here’s the Reality in Numbers

·         The U.S. defense budget in 2024 is approximately $886 billion.

·         Overseas military bases cost between $55 billion and $100 billion annually.

·         Military aid to Israel is $3.8 billion annually.

·         The total military-industrial complex, when factoring in veterans’ affairs, nuclear weapons, homeland security and interest on past wars, costs $1.2 to $1.4 trillion per year, according to Brown University.

Now compare that to domestic needs:

·         Medicare for All would cost $1.5 to $2.5 trillion annually in government spending, replacing over $4 trillion in current private healthcare costs.

·         Making public colleges tuition-free would cost just $70–100 billion per year.

·         Forgiving existing student debt would be a one-time cost of $1.7 trillion.

·         Even modest cuts, say $400 billion annually from military spending, could fund tuition-free college, universal healthcare, and still leave the U.S. with the largest defense budget in the world.

Why This Matters for Crime and Policing

Crime doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Sociological and criminological research shows that relative deprivation, the feeling of being unfairly disadvantaged, fuels social discontent and leads directly to criminal behavior. When basic needs go unmet, when economic insecurity deepens and when opportunity vanishes, desperation breeds disorder.

Investing in healthcare, education, housing and mental health services isn’t just moral, it’s practical. It’s crime prevention at the root.

As sociologists like Loïc Wacquant have shown, policing often functions not to ensure justice, but to manage the social consequences of neoliberal austerity, warehousing the poor and racialized populations in place of real economic investment.

When inequality declines, the role of police can shift. No longer simply agents of control, they can instead serve as defenders of human rights, protecting communities from exploitation and abuse—not managing their despair.

While Congress finds hundreds of billions for war, with little debate, it refuses to adequately fund basic human needs. This is not accidental. It is the logic of empire: punish the poor at home, dominate others abroad and call it peace.

Why hasn’t this transformation occurred?

Because the military-industrial complex is deeply embedded in American capitalism and imperialism. It is profitable, politically untouchable, and aggressively defended by both parties. Corporate lobbying, media spin and anti-“socialism” propaganda ensure that even modest reforms are blocked.

Foreign policy doesn’t serve ordinary Americans, rather, it serves defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing, and the maintenance of American empire.

Final Call
Cutting military spending and redirecting those funds to social programs isn’t utopian—it’s entirely doable. If the people demand it, it can happen.

Let’s stop following leaders who profit from war, and instead become leaders in our own communities building peace through justice, not bombs.

Dr. Peter Marina is a sociologist and criminologist at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Along with his father, (retired) Lieutenant Pedro Marina, he teaches human rights policing to law enforcement professionals throughout the United States. He is author of the Human Rights Policing: Reimagining Law Enforcement in the 21st Century with Routledge Press (2022).

Staying Safe in the Storm: A Tactical Guide for Officers Facing Violent Protests

Staying Safe in the Storm: A Tactical Guide for Officers Facing Violent Protests
By Lt. Joseph Pangaro CPM, MOI

Across America, the growing intensity and unpredictability of public demonstrations have placed law enforcement in an increasingly dangerous spotlight. While the First Amendment protects peaceful assembly, many recent protests have crossed the line into violent riots — resulting in officers being assaulted with rocks, bricks, bottles, fireworks, and improvised weapons.

In cities like Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle, officers have faced not only hostile crowds but also coordinated attacks from agitator groups using military-style tactics. The danger is real — and growing. For law enforcement supervisors and officers, preparation is no longer optional. It is a matter of survival and mission success.

In an attempt to offer some considerations for supervisors and officers, I have created this article. I have also created a 10-point checklist of the topics discussed herein for easy reference and briefing training.

Based on recent incidents and professional best practices, here is a tactical approach designed to help agencies increase operational safety and effectiveness during civil unrest:

1. Thorough Threat Assessment & Pre-Event Planning
Supervisors must begin with actionable intelligence. Before deployment, collect data from social media, open-source intelligence platforms, local informants and news reports. Identify the presence of known agitator groups, prior protest locations and hot zones like federal buildings or courthouses. This proactive approach allows command staff to anticipate flashpoints, allocate resources efficiently and avoid reactive tactics.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Gear Checks
Every officer deployed to a protest — especially one with the potential for violence — must be equipped with the proper PPE. Helmets with face shields, reinforced gloves, gas masks, body armor and riot shields should be standard. Supervisors should inspect gear before deployment and ensure spares are available. When rocks and fireworks start flying, your PPE is your lifeline.

3. Dynamic Unit Organization & Role Assignment
Chaos can be controlled with structure. Assigning officers to specific teams — crowd control, arrest units, medics and QRF (Quick Reaction Forces) — gives clarity and prevents confusion in high-stress scenarios. Each officer should know their assignment and supervisor, and there should be a chain of communication to adapt on the fly.

4. Layered Defensive Positioning & Use of Barriers
Using natural and man-made barriers gives officers time and space to respond. Line formations should include layered defense zones and fallback positions. Well-placed patrol cars, fencing or portable barricades can shield against thrown objects and help redirect aggressive groups away from vulnerable areas.

5. Escalated Warning Procedures & Communication Protocols
Officers must deliver clear, legally sound dispersal orders before using force. These warnings should be amplified and repeated. Visual cues, such as raised colored flags or visible less-lethal weapon deployment, provide transparency and may encourage compliance. Supervisors should closely monitor the escalation of force to prevent overreaction or under-response.

6. Situational Awareness & Targeted Surveillance
Deploy trained observers or drones to scan the crowd and identify agitators early. Look for behaviors like masked individuals dropping backpacks, stacking bricks or forming tight formations. Spotters can alert line units to emerging threats, improving response time and officer safety.

7. Tactical De-Escalation & Force Discipline
The goal is to restore order without unnecessarily escalating tensions. Officers should be trained in tactical communication and recognize when to use presence, time and distance to defuse aggression. Flash-bangs or pepper balls fired into open spaces — not at individuals — can disperse threats while minimizing injuries. Discipline in the use of force maintains public trust and protects officers legally and professionally.

8. Injury Prevention & Immediate Medical Response
Designated medics or officers trained in basic trauma care should be embedded within teams. Rapid extraction protocols for injured officers must be rehearsed. Providing on-site care can save lives and prevent a minor injury from becoming catastrophic.

9. After-Action Review & Intelligence Sharing
Once the protest is over, the work isn’t done. Conduct detailed debriefs. What worked? What didn’t? Were agitators identified? Share findings with neighboring jurisdictions and internal units. This intelligence loop is vital for improving responses in future events.

10. Mental Health Support & Ethical Oversight
Exposure to violence, chaos and abuse takes a toll. Supervisors should encourage officers to seek peer support or professional mental health services. At the same time, internal affairs and command staff must review conduct to ensure integrity. Ethical behavior under pressure strengthens public trust and department morale.

Conclusion: Preparation is Protection
Protests can go from peaceful to perilous in moments. For today’s law enforcement professionals, safety is found in preparation, structure and training. The checklist above is not just a tactical guide — it’s a call to leadership.

Supervisors must lead by example: ensuring readiness, supporting discipline and emphasizing de-escalation. Officers must stay alert, stay united and stay committed to lawful conduct, even in the face of provocation.

As the landscape of civil unrest evolves, so must our approach. Our safety — and the public’s trust — depends on it.

Joseph Pangaro is a 27-year veteran of law enforcement. He retired in 2013 at the rank of Lieutenant and currently serves as the Director of School Safety and Security for a large school district in NJ. He is also the owner of Pangaro Training and Management, a company that provides training to the public and private sector on a host of topics. Email: Joe@PangaroTraining.com, www.PangaroTraining.com. “The Blue Heart Webcast” www.YouTube.Com/@BlueHeartWebcast

My Story of Career Transition

My Story of Career Transition
By: Monica Crawford

Three years ago, I sat on the couch as my husband (then fiance) kissed me goodbye before going into work. It was the day after I resigned from my former police department and the first time in over a year that we wouldn't be getting in the same car to drive into work together.

In fact, we wouldn't be working the same job or same shift with each other ever again. A sobering thought at the time considering law enforcement was how we met and something we enjoyed being able to do together.

After he left for work, I wrote a post titled, Saving the Brotherhood, and shared it to Facebook. My thoughts at the time were so pure, even in my current state of hurt. I had no idea what I would be facing in my own healing journey in the coming months or even inside of my business and my career after that moment.

This caught the eye of Joel E. Gordon, of BLUE Magazine, and thus became my very first published work as an article for BLUE Magazine. With support and enthusiasm, BLUE Magazine has chosen to publish many more pieces of my work over the last three years in The Blue Magazine.

I never imagined I would be a writer let alone a published author. It's easy to see the connection of one leading to the other when writing my book, "Thriving Inside the Thin Blue Line." At the time, I never would have believed it.

Closing the door to an employer who blocked my opportunities, and did not value, support or respect me, gave me the push to leave, which is the very thing I needed to do.

A few months before I resigned from the police department, I saw an ad on Facebook for a business coach. Realizing I had enough education and experience in the nutrition and fitness space from years of being a NCAA Division I gymnast, CrossFit Trainer and Nutrition Coach, I knew I had the ability to help other women in male-driven fields through my same experiences and coach them to achieving things they never dreamed they could.

I created Five-0 Fierce and Fit and never looked back.

Closing that first door opened the first of many doors into entrepreneurship, traveling across the U.S. to network, present keynote speeches and teach, create a podcast, and write a book about my experiences, in hopes of highlighting what needs changed, and validating many others who have experienced the same and who also want positive change inside law enforcement.

Law enforcement has a great way of putting rose colored glasses on us. We feel afraid others can ruin our own careers with one unsubstantiated IA. We fear the chatter and the rumor mill. We fear pissing off the wrong person. We intentionally stay small or quiet to keep the peace.

The beauty is that YOU have the power to take off those rose colored lenses and see clearly again. We live in a world of abundant opportunities. However, we won't ever see it if we're not actively looking for it.

Here's your encouragement to take off the rose-colored glasses, lean into who you are, your authentic self, and the vision you see for your own life, and go get it.

Perhaps that means owning your story, controlling the controllable, and stepping up as a leader in your current position. Maybe that means removing yourself from a table that no longer serves you to FIERCEly pave your way forward into something else.

Five-0 Fierce and Fit is about helping you to break your own barriers. Through one-on-one online nutrition, fitness and leadership coaching programs, I work with you through these three pillars.

Defining what it means to THRIVE inside the ‘thin blue line.’ Speaking your dreams into life while creating a plan to get there and removing barriers along the way.

We rise by lifting others, but first we must lift ourselves. Your attention must be on prioritizing yourself and becoming the best version of you before you can best serve others.

You’re only one decision away from a totally different life. The decision you make today to stop settling for your circumstances now and instead paving your way toward your biggest, scariest and most successful vision of your life will be the best decision you ever make.

Fearless. Impactful. Empowered. Resilient. Confident. Elevating.

FIERCELY,

Coach Monica

Monica Crawford is a former law enforcement officer, the author of, “Thriving Inside the Thin Blue Line,” a public speaker, nutrition and fitness coach, and owner of Five-0 Fierce and Fit. Through Five-0 Fierce and Fit, Monica creates online nutrition, fitness and mindset programs to help female first responders lose fat, gain strength, take back their confidence and get Fit For Duty. Monica aspires to validate the challenges commonly faced in the first responder fields and provide education, motivation and inspiration to chase what truly matters to you in your life and career. You’re one decision away from a totally different life. Follow Monica on Instagram: @five0.fierce.and.fit

The Send Off

The Send Off
By: Dale Gabriel
PSP Flashback, December 1992.

I am still in my 20s. I have about five years on the job and less than a year at my home station, Kiski Valley. I am working a midnight stretch with a long-time veteran trooper, a guy on the job about as long as I have been on Earth. I had actually known Frank since I was 14, when he would come down to a small-town garage where I worked for many years. He was actually one of the guys who talked me into taking the PSP test. (So, it was HIS fault!) I had the "honor" of being Frank's very last partner, as he was working his final shift with PSP, or so it seemed!

Our dispatcher asked us to find a phone or return to station, that he needed to talk to us about something. Long before the days of cellphones, your choices were to stop at a pay phone, stop at a business you knew or return to station, which is what we did, since we were close. We got there, and he asked us if we should respond to a skunk in someone's house.

Frank immediately responded. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Now, I was still at the stage of my career where I thought we could actually make a difference and help people ALL the time. I asked him what if it were his wife or my mother? I said we should go and try to help her. Asking about HIS wife may not have been the best idea! He said, "YOU can go and help HER." Bad divorce!

We go to the lady's place, and Frank stayed in the car. I went inside and met the 30-something lady, who pointed and said the skunk was under her couch. For some reason, I just assumed she was older before we got there. After talking to her and NOT smelling a skunk, I told her that she must be mistaken, that it must be something else and not a skunk. So, I got down on my hands and knees in front of the couch. I shined my light but could only see a couple of beady eyes looking at me. I thought it was probably a rat or baby opossum. I put on gloves, got down on my knees again and lifted the couch up, planning to grab it. It was INDEED a skunk, and I dropped the couch. But it did not spray.

I took a step back to assess the situation. As we all know, a good "statie" can handle ANYTHING after assessing the situation! As a country boy who was sprayed before, I knew that skunks are very slow, and kind of "meander" wherever they go. I proceeded to get every pillow in the woman's house and make a pathway from the couch to the door. I figured the skunk would follow the trail all the way out the door. Simple, right

With the pathway made, I lifted the couch, but he would not budge initially. I picked up one of the pillows and threw it at him, which prompted him to proceed exactly as I had planned. This statie thing is easy.... but his path was painstakingly slow. Then, he got to where the pillow was missing, and made his own path, which is what I have always told my kids to do for years since then, but is NOT what I wanted Mr. Peppy Le Pew to do.

He then went back a long hallway until he was trapped at the end. I repositioned the pillows from the hallway to the door. I figured if it worked once, it would work again, right? My little black and white friend, however, had a different idea entirely. He refused to budge. I started throwing stuff at him in an attempt to get him to take the path to the door. At this point, I am shocked that he has not sprayed yet.

I step back for a moment, obviously deep in thought. Time to reassess my reassessment. I told the lady that surely this was NOT a wild skunk and must been somebody's pet! He must have gotten loose from somewhere. He must have been "de-stinked," or whatever they call it, so that he no longer has an odor and cannot spray. I don't really think that made her feel any better.

I put my gloves back on and slowly and stealthily approached him. I planned to grab him and run him to the door. Looking back now, this whole adventure would be ideal for one of today's cable TV shows. I was about two feet away when he lifted his tail, but he DID NOT SPRAY. Surely, I was correct that this was someone's pet and was "fixed."

I quickly jumped into an adjacent room using my best Ninja skills. I cracked the door a bit and was peeking out trying to locate him, but I could not see him. Suddenly, I felt him at my feet. I may or may not have let out a little scream, but if a trooper screams at a skunk in a bathroom in a house in the middle of the woods, with nobody there to hear it, did it REALLY happen? I jumped out of the room and closed him in.

End of story, right? It COULD have been. It SHOULD have been. I told the lady at that point that she was safe and would have to call the game commission or an exterminator or something, and she started crying. CRYINIG???? Geez!

By this time, curiosity had gotten the best of Frank. He had wondered what was going on and had come to the door. I did not realize he was watching. He was standing at the door laughing hysterically. I asked him what I should do. His reply was "Entertain me." So much for "having my back." So much for the veteran trooper doing all he could to educate the kid, the kid he has known for years, the kid trooper who THINKS he knows better. Sadly, this is a theme that played out throughout my career!

At this point though, I was absolutely positively 100% SURE that his sprayer had been removed. I opened the door and was just going to grab him, run to the door and toss him out, but he then did exactly what I had originally wanted. He slowly walked the pathway to the door. Frank jumped out of the way.

Yes! I knew what I was doing ALL along. This was going to work!! Score one for the kid over the savvy veteran! After all of that, I did not get sprayed. My plan worked to perfection. Until the skunk went behind the door jamb, instead of out the door. What a damn stupid skunk!!

At this point, I am pissed at that damn stupid skunk, who obviously could no longer spray. So, I reached down to grab him. You can probably guess what happened next. Am I the ONLY one who did not see that coming?? The foggy mist seemed to go on forever. I also realized they have pretty good aim. I grabbed him and threw him out.

NOW, end of story, right? You would think so, but again NOT! After all of that, I learned that the lady's husband was home and was sleeping. I "went off" on her a bit. Between that, and the fact that she blamed me for the skunk spraying in her house, the lady called in a complaint on me. Fortunately, a good supervisor fielded the call, and it did not go anywhere else. That really seemed to be another theme throughout my career!

How is that for giving a guy an unbelievable send-off into retirement?

Dale Gabriel is a retired patrol and community services officer with the Pennsylvania State Police. After 25+ years of service, in retirement, he has been working on a book of his many PSP memories. He also coaches a baseball team in a Miracle League for those with special needs. He holds a communication degree with English minor from Saint Vincent College in Western Pennsylvania.

When Everything Changes at Once: Navigating Retirement, Family and the First Responder Mindset

When Everything Changes at Once: Navigating Retirement, Family and the First Responder Mindset
By: Kimberly Stratman

I knew retirement would bring change — but I didn’t realize just how many changes would happen at the same time.

My boys are grown now. They have their own lives, schedules, families and dreams. This is a little painful. My parents are aging, and with that comes a new kind of caretaking — one I didn’t expect to take on so soon or even ever. And then there's me — retired from a career that shaped every part of who I am. Suddenly, I'm no longer the officer, the responder, the one holding the line. And yet, somehow, I’m still trying to hold it all together.

This isn’t just my story. It’s our story — especially for those of us who’ve lived years, maybe decades, with the first responder mindset. Have you considered how and why you make your decisions? Have you considered the cost of your actions?

We were trained to jump in, take charge, fix things and keep people safe. That mindset served us in the field — but it can also trip us up in retirement. When our children are carving out their own lives, we might step in too much, trying to "help" when they just need space. When our parents’ health starts shifting, we can go into control mode, unintentionally making them feel incapable. The conversations get difficult or do not even happen. And when we finally have time for ourselves? We often don’t even know what we want anymore. Maybe we think, “I just wish it was like before.”

We get in our own way.

We get in the way of our children.

We even get in the way of our parents.

But here’s the good news: The same skills that made us excellent first responders can also help us build a strong, grounded future — for ourselves and the people we love.

The Skills That Help Us in This New Chapter:

· Decision-making under pressure: We know how to assess situations quickly. This helps when navigating tough choices about aging parents, finances or where we want to live.

· Resilience and grit: We’ve been through hard things. That strength can carry us through the emotional terrain of family transitions and our own identity shifts.

· Situational awareness: We’re observant. That allows us to see when someone needs support — and when it’s time to step back.

· Dedication to service: Our instinct to care for others can be a gift — when we channel it with love, not control.

The Mindsets That Can Hurt Us If We’re Not Careful:

· "I have to handle everything myself."

This leads to burnout, isolation and resentment. In retirement, collaboration is key — not command.

· "If I’m not helping, I’m not valuable."

Our worth doesn’t come from being needed. It comes from being — authentically and fully ourselves.

· "I know what’s best."

Maybe you do — but people need to make their own choices. Even if it’s hard to watch.

· "I’ll take care of me later."

Sister, now is your time. You’ve earned this next chapter. Don’t put yourself at the bottom of the list anymore.

· Resilience and grit: We’ve been through hard things. That strength can carry us through the emotional terrain of family transitions and our own identity shifts. Oh? On both lists? Absolutely. You might have too much “stuff” to handle anything else.

So, What Do We Do?

We pause. We write it down. What matters to you now? What does a good day look like? What does your body need? What lights you up? What do you want your relationships to feel like?

This isn’t about planning every step — it’s about intention. Living on purpose. Not reacting. Not rescuing. But responding — to your life, to your season, with wisdom and grace. I am definitely benefiting from “not planning” everything. When my youngest son and his wife need an extra set of hands with their creative install business, I jump in. The casual, relaxed conversation that occurs while we are working side by side is priceless. No way I could plan that!

All of the changes are a lot to process, and while you might be used to handling things on your own, retirement is a season that calls for connection. There are resources out there — some on a national level that you can find online, and others closer to home, like small local groups or even one-on-one conversations with women who are just a little farther down the road. But here’s the thing: Many of us don’t have a lot of close female friendships, especially if we spent our careers in a male-dominated field like first response.

That’s why this moment — when everything feels up in the air — can actually be the perfect reason to start building those connections. Use this time to reach out, to talk with other women your age or a bit older and to share your experiences. You might be surprised how comforting it is to realize you’re not the only one feeling this way. And the friendships you build now? They won’t just help you get through this transition — they’ll be there the next time life shifts. Because it will. And you shouldn’t have to face it alone.

You’ve spent your life serving others. And you probably will continue to serve others. Now it’s time to build a life that serves you — while still showing up in healthy, loving ways for those around you. I invite you to acknowledge your struggles. Recognize that life is happening all around us and we are really “in charge” and we have some useful traits and strengths.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

If this speaks to where you are right now, I see you. Let’s rethink what life looks like after the job — together. Please share your story and experience. Other first responders, need it.

If you're a first responder who is even beginning to think about retirement, I invite you to explore my self-paced coaching course designed just for you. This eight-session, video-based program includes downloadable worksheets to help you reflect, plan and move forward with clarity and confidence. You can also grab my free resource: a curated list of must-read books for first responders preparing for life beyond the job. Visit tothepointcoach.org to get started.

Kimberly Stratman retired as a Lieutenant from the Dallas Police Department after an exciting and fulfilling 30-year career. She and her husband, an active SWAT officer, have two grown sons and two dogs that get lots of attention. Kimberly is the owner of To the Point Coach, a Certified Retirement Life Coach and Certified Life Coach service that focuses on first responders. Her goal is to ensure our law enforcement community thrives. She can be reached @ tothepointcoach.org

Is it Time to Reconsider Our Approach?

Is it Time to Reconsider Our Approach?
By: Deon Joseph

Considering strategies to counter professional violent rioters, a chapter in one of my favorite books, "Mirror your enemies," suggests that to defeat adversaries, one must adopt their tactics, albeit to a limited and lawful extent.

Today's rioters employ guerrilla tactics, whereas we rely on traditional, predictable methods. A historical example that illustrates this concept is a battle during the Revolutionary War, where American forces initially struggled against the British in a conventional field engagement.

However, by abandoning traditional tactics and adopting a more unorthodox approach, they were able to gain the upper hand. This concept is relevant to our current situation, as rioters are using similar tactics against us.

The chapter also notes that adversaries often struggle to respond effectively when their own tactics are turned against them, as they are accustomed to dominating through their preferred methods. Occasionally, I find myself wishing that we could dispense with conventional tactics and employ a more unorthodox approach to apprehend as many rioters as possible.

Our reluctance to do so allows them to escape and continue causing damage. To effectively counter these rioters, it is necessary to take calculated risks and issue appropriate equipment to officers. By surrounding and apprehending these individuals within the bounds of the law, we can effect a significant number of felony arrests, unmask them to facilitate identification and subsequent apprehension if they escape. 

Our greatest weakness in this context is our adherence to order. Conversely, the rioters' greatest vulnerability is their desire to maintain anonymity. If we can muster sufficient numbers, it is time to take decisive action. Recent events have prompted me to reconsider our approach.

Deon Joseph is a 28 year veteran of law enforcement in Southern California - 24 of those years working in the homeless community to create an environment conducive to change for those in recovery, as a Lead Officer. He’s been recognized for his work locally and nationally, and news stories and documentaries surrounding his work in crime fighting and community relations, featured him. www.deonjoseph.org

Six Reasons Why A Police Officer Should Get Help For Their Mental Health

Six Reasons Why A Police Officer Should Get Help For Their Mental Health
By: Stan Popovich

Many police officers underestimate the impact that mental illness can have on their health. It can be difficult to admit that you have a mental health problem in your life. Also, it can be just as difficult in getting the people you know to understand your situation without making any kinds of judgments.

As a result, here are six reasons why you should make your mental health an important priority in your life.

1. Your situation will improve if you get help: Your anxieties and fears can be challenging to manage, and more than likely you will need some help. Just as you talk to your doctor about your regular health, you should not be hesitant in seeking help for your mental health. If left untreated, your anxieties and fears may not go away.

2. Drugs and alcohol are not the answer: Drugs and alcohol can make your problems more complicated. Many people have said that drugs and alcohol will only add more problems to your situation. Be smart and learn how to cope with your mental health issues by talking to a qualified professional. There are many health professionals in your area who can give you some ideas on where you can go for assistance 

3. You will save time and money:  Eventually, you will have to confront your fears and mental health issues. Save yourself the time and heartache and confront your problems now rather than later. You will save months of struggling by getting help right away. The sooner you get assistance, the faster you will start getting some relief.

4. You are not alone: Everyone deals with fear, stress and anxiety in one’s life whether your friends and others care to admit it. In addition, do not be embarrassed that you are getting help. We all learn new things from others on a daily basis, and learning how to manage your anxieties is no different. In addition, your goal is to get your life back on track and not to get everyone’s approval. If people start asking you questions, just say you’re dealing with stress. Most people can relate to dealing with stress and anxiety!

5. Do not make the mistake of doing nothing: There are many people who struggled with anxiety and other mental health related issues and tried to ignore their problems. As a result, some of these people struggled on a daily basis and eventually things became more difficult. It can be scary asking for assistance, but the key is to take things one day at a time.

6. You have a variety of options: There are many mental health support groups, organizations and counselors in your area who can help get your life back on track. Talk to your doctor to get more details on where you can go for some assistance. Help is available but you must be willing to make the choice of getting better.

Remember that every problem has a solution. You just have to make the effort to find the answers.

Stan is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear" which covers a variety of techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. For more information, please visit Stan's website at http://www.managingfear.com

THERE IS HOPE

THERE IS HOPE
By: Chris Amos

I sat on the edge of my bed. My, wife Anne Marie, had just taken our first child up to the store. We had been married at this point for about three years, Seth, our first child, was about one year old. I was living the proverbial dream. At 24, I was happily married, had a couple of cars in the driveway, had just bought our first house, I was active in a church, and to top everything off, I had fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a police officer just three years earlier.  By every reasonable metric, life was good and I had found my personal road to purpose and success.  Which is why, as I stared at my reflection in a bedroom mirror, while placing my city-issued Smith & Wesson revolver first in my mouth and then pressing it against my head, my actions made absolutely no sense.

Just recently I was heartbroken as I learned of the four law enforcement officers from the same department who committed suicide just days apart. I was reminded of just how fragile life can be and how susceptible cops can be to choosing suicide as the proverbial permanent solution to a temporary problem. I was reminded of just how quickly we can become desensitized to life… and death.

Cops are a tough nut to crack. The job, now more than ever, has a way of totally warping one’s view of life, trauma, tragedy and death. We see this often in our morbid sense of humor. Cops are infamous for offending the sensibilities of those not in our line of work. Case in point: I remember responding to a call involving a drunk guy and a train. Having seen one John Wayne western too many “Joe” decided it was a good idea to try to jump on a moving train. Had Joe been sober, his idea would have been horrible. Being obnoxiously drunk made his idea infinitely worse. The train seemed to be slow enough as Joe made his move. Immediately stumbling, Joe fell face-first toward the moving train while reaching out for one of the boxcars. Joe quickly regretted his knuckle-headed plan as he saw his hand instantly ripped off at the forearm.  A shock-stricken Joe was rushed to the hospital. I was dispatched to the scene with a handful, pun intended, of other officers and a K-9 unit in search of Joe’s hand. The hope was, if found in time, it could be reattached. Well, we eventually found it,or what was left of it, and radioed to the E.R. that we would bring it in but in our collective opinion it was mangled beyond recognition.

As the three of us walked back to our cars one asked, “Hey can you give me a hand?” and the hand was given to him. “Do you need a hand?” a second officer said while passing the hand to me. The K-9 Officer took it back while demonstrating the proper “golf clap,” and the morbid humor continued.

Now this sounds terrible to someone who has never had such an experience, but I assure you, while seemingly morbid, crass, even unprofessional, it in a strange way is kind of a healthy way to process the traumatic event at the time. You know as well as I do the Police Academy doesn’t teach us how to carry a hand that had been ripped off, or how to cut down a man who had hung himself with an industrial strength orange extension cord, or how to gently remove the body of a 3-year-old toddler who had drowned in a local pond as his mother, oblivious to her son’s whereabouts, got high and partied.

Long before GPS and Google maps, law enforcement officers were learning the streets and locations in their respective areas of patrol, not by street names or block numbers, but by an auto fatality they responded to or a SIDS death they handled, by a triple homicide or police-involved shooting. To this day I can’t drive through an intersection or neighborhood in my town without thinking of something traumatic that happened in that area.

Unlike service members in the military who see and experience some horrific things, they can at least physically, if not mentally, leave the desert, the village, the mountain top, or dirt road on which their traumatic incident occurred. Cops have no such luxury, and if they LIVE in the same city where they work, the hits just keep on coming.

Admittedly, I know nothing about the four deputy sheriffs who took their lives, and so I dare not make any assumptions or draw any conclusions as to the reasons for these tragic deaths. Having said that, I do know a little bit about police suicides through my own experiences.

My grandfather Cyril, a retired police chief, left a suicide note, “Can never get well, can’t stand pain …”

Steve, a robbery detective, was going through relationship issues, outside of work. He turned to alcohol to help cope. Alcohol and guns are a really, really bad combination.

Dave, an Internal Affairs supervisor, was the happiest guy you would ever meet. His smile and positive attitude, masked the depression he was dealing with.

And perhaps the most tragic was Lt. Bill. Like Dave, Bill was quick with a smile, he was the nicest guy you would ever meet. His troops loved to work for him. Bill was an easy-going, laid-back supervisor that hadn’t forgotten what it was like to be a patrol officer. One night, Bill shot and killed his wife before killing himself. We would later learn he was being treated for insomnia. Doctors were trying to find a “safe” cocktail of medications to help him sleep. To a man, we believe he was awakened by a night tremor, shot his wife, and then realizing what he had done shot himself. I officiated a dual funeral service for Bill and his wife, standing by two open gravesites trying to comprehend the loss. PLEASE KEEP YOUR GUN FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM YOU AT NIGHT, THAT IF CALLED UPON TO NEED IT, YOU WILL HAVE TO FULLY WAKE UP TO RETRIEVE IT.

And though not a law enforcement officer, my father took his life in 2024, just days before his 83rd birthday. Dad’s hearing was shot, but otherwise his mind was sharp and he was in great health, shooting well under his age as an avid golfer two or three times a week. We would learn from the note he left, he was afraid he was going to outlive his life insurance policy.

Friends, the reasons law enforcement officers commit suicide are as varied as the officer. Sure, there can be clues, subtle hints, and warning signs. Unfortunately, especially with cops, such signs can be easily concealed. A cop who has been on the job for any amount of time has probably responded to dozens of suicides, making him or her a kind of subject matter expert. If an officer wants to drop a hint he will. If the officer does not, she will not.

As I began to squeeze the trigger, watching my reflection in the mirror and seeing the empty hollow eyes of one who had lost all hope, I heard a voice. A voice, as audible to me as that of my own wife, spoke three words that pierced the darkness that had consumed my life. “THERE IS HOPE.” There is hope. Three simple words that hit me like a ton of bricks. I immediately pulled the gun away from my head and literally began to look under the bed and in the bathroom for the source of those three words. About 4 months later I discovered the source, the author and in fact the very essence of that hope, Jesus Christ.

Friend my “why?” was a 14-year addiction to pornography; an addiction that, like cancer, had decimated my will to live and self-worth as a husband, a father, a police officer. Like an unrelenting boa constrictor, it squeezed the life, the purpose, the hope out of me. You see I knew all ABOUT Jesus but I did not truly KNOW Jesus. But then, on November 30, 1989, about four months after hearing those most powerful, life transforming words “There is Hope”, I surrendered my life to Jesus inviting Him, by grace through faith, to do as He saw fit to the living hell my life had become, in spite of the plastic smile.I felt as if Jesus, with key in hand, unlocked and began to unwrap 14 years of this unrelenting, suffocating, life destroying demonic stronghold. I was set free, and he or she who The Lord sets free is free indeed!

Friends, life can be challenging, even overwhelming. As law enforcement officers we are paid, we are trained, we are expected to fix things; to bring order to chaos and a sense of security to a dangerous situation. Of all people, we cannot let on that we are the ones in danger, we are the ones living a secret life of chaos, despair and depression. We are the ones in need of fixing from suicidal ideations. Jesus knows all of this and so much more about each one of us. Friend, can I shout from the very depths of my heart, soul, and spirit, “THERE IS HOPE!”

How do I know? Because I looked into eyes filled with hope just this morning.

Chris Amos is a retired officer and former spokesperson for the Norfolk Virginia Police Department. He is currently the pastor at Chr1st Fellowship Church in Norfolk. He is married for over 30 years and is the proud father of three children, two of whom are police officers. He serves as the volunteer Chaplain for Norfolk Police Dept. and Norfolk Sheriff’s Office.

“OLD SCHOOL COPS” Honoring Leadership and Mentorship

“OLD SCHOOL COPS” Honoring Leadership and Mentorship
By: The BLUE Magazine Editorial Staff

To many it’s like deja vu all over again (a famous quote attributed to New York Yankees Hall of Famer Yogi Berra). With the attempted cultural shift occurring in the restoration of law, order and a respect for best practice policing methods along with appreciation to those who do the work, here is a small sampling of some of our modern-day mentors and leaders in law enforcement with proven past track records of success that are making a positive impact today.

·Bernard Kerik first joined the New York City Police Department in 1986. A former NYPD Police Commissioner, he remains a strong voice and advocate for modern-day policing. Based upon successful tenures as both Commissioner of New York City Department of Corrections and NYPD Commissioner, his experiences and expertise in crime reduction, enforcement, and disaster management remain of great value to our profession and the BLUE Magazine.

·David A. Clarke, Jr. is the retired Sheriff of Milwaukee County Wisconsin and advocates for law enforcement nationwide. He is a frequent guest on cable news channels such as NewsMax and speaks as a law enforcement expert in great demand on numerous in-person speaking engagements throughout the United States. His written columns and articles appear on a regular basis in the BLUE Magazine and on our website thebluemagazine.com.

·Tom Homan, the current Trump administration Border Czar, has relied on his decades of experience as a police officer, manager, and administrator in spearheading the Trump administration’s programs to remove unlawfully entered violent criminals and gang members currently here in the United States. A good friend to law enforcement and the BLUE Magazine, we honor his service both past and present.

·Kash Patel, our current FBI Director, has a long record of government service. Having served as a public defender and later as a prosecutor, he has also served in many other critical federal government roles. His proclamation that we must allow good cops to be cops is exactly the message needed during these transitional times.

·Joel E. Gordon, the BLUE Magazine Editor-in-Chief, began his law enforcement career with the Baltimore City Police Department in 1980. Going on to work for the Crofton Maryland Police Department, and later as Chief of Police for the Kingwood, West Virginia, Police Department, he has been awarded by BLUE Magazine for Excellence in National Law Enforcement Leadership and recognized by Marquis Who’s Who in America 2025 for his continued contributions to the profession.

These and many other “old school cops,” many of whom can be found writing for the BLUE Magazine, remain of great value to law enforcement as it continues to evolve, grow, and ultimately once again flourish

Editor's Message

"Let good cops be cops" – Kash Patel

FBI Director Kash Patel was perfectly on point when he said during Senate confirmation hearing testimony that we must allow cops to be cops. In the sixteen years of our publication’s existence, we have always promoted best practices through shared knowledge and experience as our law enforcement profession continually evolves. One principle we have never wavered on has been our core mission of safety through promotion of the need to let cops be cops in keeping the peace through enforcement of law.

We at Blue Magazine are excited to deliver our 16th Year commemorative issue to our loyal readers and supporters. It’s an honor to look back on the road it took to get here, the initiatives we pursued, and the numerous accomplishments and successes individually and collectively we’ve made along the way.  The Blue Magazine began in 2009 as a very small local publication that circulated the magazine in the greater New York/New Jersey areas, mostly through the trunk of our founder Daniel Del Valle’s car. As each issue was built and hand-delivered, it became more and more evident that our independent voice was not only needed but that it was vital. We knew that if we were brave enough to speak truth to power—to challenge the status quo—and to fiercely defend and advocate for the men and women of law enforcement, the advancements we could promote for our profession were endless.

We are here now. The Blue Magazine is the leading national law enforcement publication, and our reach continues to grow.   However, our success didn’t happen overnight. Hard work and a commitment to excellence are what opened the many doors and brought the magazine to tremendous success. Year after year, the Blue Magazine has stayed true to our core principles. As you turn the pages in this commemorative issue, you will see the benefits of consistently doing the right thing, even when it’s often much easier to acquiesce and take the “easy road.”

Enjoy this commemorative issue as we celebrate our 16th year with you. We have many future initiatives planned ahead, and although these years have passed, we’ve really just begun. So stay tuned as Blue Magazine continues to raise the bar. We exist to fiercely advocate for and defend law enforcement.  To all of you who have been with us since day one, to those who hopped aboard along the way, and to many who are new, you are all important to us. We appreciate you. Our writers, editors, supporters, and the entire BLUE Magazine family are the best, and together there is nothing we can’t accomplish for the greater good! United we are strongest. God bless us all and remember to always watch each other’s six.

Joel E. Gordon
Editor-in-Chief