Episode 1: Blue and YOU
During this episode Lt. Jon Bowers and Sgt. Jeremy Webb interview Sgt. Mark Brooks and Officers Matt Rowland & Steve Hus. All three are part of the department's Air Support Unit. Each shares their experiences and knowledge of operating drones and local drone ordinances.
Episode 2: Blue and YOU
During this episode Lt. Jon Bowers and Sgt. Jeremy Webb interview Sergeants Matthew Wilson and Mike Kreiger. They share their knowledge as Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) and their experiences on the Fatal Accident Team and Impaired Driving details.
Episode 3: Blue and YOU
During this episode Lt. Jon Bowers and Sgt. Jeremy Webb interview Lt. Fred Jones from Lake County Florida Sheriff's Office. He is a supervisor in Professional Standards and serves as a Public Information Officer. Lt. Jones discusses the topic of officer wellness and is an advocate for emotional intelligence training. He also shares how officers taking care of themselves, makes it easier for them to empathize and take care of others.
Episode 4: Blue and YOU
During this episode Lt. Jon Bowers and Sgt. Jeremy Webb interview Juan Carlos Gutierrez, a sergeant with the Southwest Division/C-shift Operations who is origially from Bogotá, Colombia and Fernando Zapari, a community and business leader who is originally from Mazatlán, Mexico. Both are advocates for the Fort Wayne/Allen County Hispanic community connecting them with needed resources.
Episode 5: Blue and YOU
During this episode Lt. Jon Bowers and Sgt. Jeremy Webb interview Captain Juan Barrientes with FWPD's training division. He discusses his law enforcement career, training at the FWPD academy and the risks and rewards of police work.Click here to watch the video.
Episode 5.5: Blue and YOU
During this episode Lt. Jon Bowers and Sgt. Jeremy Webb conclude their interview with Captain Juan Barrientes, as they delve deeper into training, mental toughness and the human condition.
Episode 6: Blue and YOU
Episode 6 discusses the importance of mental health in law enforcement and highlights the various resources available to current and retired Officers. It talks about the long term effects of PTSD, trauma, and mental illness that may rise from a career in law enforcement and ways to combat those effects and strategies for resiliency. Guests: Dr. Darren Higginbotham, Sgt. Mark Brooks, and Sgt. Chris Felton. Click here to watch the video.
Episode 6.5: Blue and YOU
This is the second part of 6.0 and expands on the previous episode.Guests: Dr. Darren Higginbotham, Sgt. Mark Brooks, and Sgt. Chris Felton. Click here to watch the video.
Episode 7: Blue and YOU
This episode discusses common barriers to training, benefits of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, police work and BJJ, benefits of BJJ on stress. This episode also discusses the book “Emotional Survival For Law Enforcement” by Dr. Gilmartin. Guest: Sgt. Jason Crowder (Bike Unit).
Episode 8: Blue and YOU
This episode discusses the Bike Unit with Officers James Arnold and Brock Hassenzahl. During this episode we discuss homelessness, empathetic communication, the foundation of the bike unit, and what the future of the Bike Unit may look like.Click here to watch the video.
Episode 9: Blue and YOU
Episode 9.0 features Marc DeShaies and Matt Foote with the Gang Violent Crimes Unit. They discuss the creation and evolution of the Gang Unit. The changing trends in violent crime as a whole. The mission of the Gang Unit is discussed and how their main goal is to prevent crime while utilizing a community-oriented approach to do it. Also dicussed is the Constitutional Carry law and its potential impact.
Episode 10: Blue and YOU
Episode 10 features Vince Humes and Detective Terry Holmes and the barricaded incident Vince was involved in when he was suicidal. Terry was the lead negotiator during the incident and with the assistance of VInce's friend Sgt. Meyer was able to help Vince find a peaceful resolution to the incident. Vince discusses his battles with PTSD, what lead up to the incident, and what getting help and looking to the future looks like. Anyone having thoughts of suicide, please call 1-800-278-8255.
Episode 10.5: Blue and YOU
Episode 10.5 features Vince Humes and Therapist Greg Banicki. Vince was a subject in a barricade incident involving the Police. He was at an all-time low and was prepared to have a suicide by cop ending. Negotiator Terry Holmes, along with Vince's friend Sgt. Meyer were able to assist Vince in a peaceful surrender. This episode focuses on mental health, particularly PTSD and managing the illness by doing the work and seeking help. Anyone needing help, please call the suicide hotline at 1-800-278-8255.Click here to watch the video.
Episode 11: Blue and YOU
Episode 11 features Cpt. Juan Barrientes and Dr. Paul Whitesell as we discuss the evolution of law enforcement and the psychological, emotional, and mental effects that accumulate from doing the job. Also discussed are some techniques and strategies that can be utilized for continued success in the profession and in life.
Episode 12: Blue and YOU
Episode 12.0 features Dr. Matt Runyan with Parkview Behavorial Health. We discuss the process of 24hr and 72 hr Detention Orders and that mental health detentions don't necessarily equate treatment. Dr. Runyan helps us navigate the mental health legal landscape and the challenges associated with it. We also talk about trauma in general and the need for human connection to overcome addiction and the correlation between the two.
Episode 12.5: Blue and YOU
Episode 12.5 is a follow up to Episode 12.0 as we continue our discussion on the legal mental health landscape and talk about the differences between behavior and mental health psychosis.
Episode 13.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 13.0 features Lt. Kevin Zelt as we discuss the evolution of the Emergency Services Team and law enforcement in general. Lt. Zelt talks about strategic planning and tactical leadership and the lessons he learned over a long law enforcement career. Lt. Zelt also tells some funny "war stories" that he witnessed over his career.
Episode 13.5: Blue and YOU
Episode 13.5 (Part 2) features Lt. Zelt elaborating on the state of law enforcement today and society's perceptions of law enforcement. The good Lieutenant tells more "war stories" that he witnessed throughout his years of service as the Emergency Services Team Commander.
Episode 14.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 14.0 features the city of Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry, as he talks about his family and its history with Fort Wayne. He discusses his public service career and highlights his vision for law enforcement and community relations. He also addresses the importance of mental health and his motivation to groom servant leaders.
Episode 15.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 15.0 features Deputy Chief Mitch Mckinney as we discuss Community Relations, Southeast Quadrant of Fort Wayne, Fraternal Order of Police, and law enforcement "relationships" with the public.
Episode 16.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 16.0 features Chief Steve Reed as we discuss the strategic vision of the department and the various forward thinking initiatives to get us there. We talk about the implementation of those initiatives and the utilization of technology to increase community and officer safety.
Episode 17.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 17: Features Chaplain Richard Hartman and how he got involved in ministry and then became a Chaplain for the Fort Wayne Police Department. He also talks about the Chaplain Program and the service it provides to the officers and the community they serve.
Episode 18.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 18: Features Homicide Detectives Sgt. Wilson and Sgt. Klein as we discuss the composition of the Homicide Division and how changing the structure of the unit has helped increased the homicide clearance rate and success overall.
Episode 19.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 19: Features Det. Liza Anglin and Officer Megan Moreno as we discuss women in law enforcement. We learn a little bit about these two fantastic officers and what drew them into law enforcement. We also talk about the challenges and benefits of being a woman in the profession, as we compare/contrast a rookie and veteran's perspective.
Episode 20.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 20:Features Doug Weaver and Roderick Waters as we discuss the Recruitment Team and the new FORT program (Future Officer Readiness Training). We dive into the challenges and trends of recruiting; along with the benefits, and attractions FWPD has to offer as a department and a city.
Episode 21.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 21: Features Det. Marc DeShaies and records tech Brandon Enright as we discuss the changes in the Constitutional Carry law that took effect last year. We talk about the challenges law enforcement and records personnel face adapting to the new law. We talk about the law itself and how it is currently being interpreted and enforced.
Episode 22.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 22: Features Dr. Thomas GiaQuinta discussing adolescent mental health and strategies to use to improve juvenile behavior. He also talks about depression, suicide, and how being a healthy parent is crucial to juvenile mental health.
Episode 23.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 23: Features Deputy Chief Martin Bender as we discuss his 49 year law enforcement career, post retirement plans, and city council tenure. We dive into lessons learned and the changing dynamics of law enforcement through the years.
Episode 24.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 24: Features Detective Joe Lyon as we talk about property crime and the resources and skills used to solve it. We also discuss ways to prevent theft and how best to document your valuables in case it happens.
Episode 25.0: Blue and YOU
Episode 25: Features Zach Bernath with the American RedCross as we discuss The Battle of the Badges Blood Drive and the local impact of blood donations.