Kevin Cyr (RCMP SWAT) joins Marcus with Echelon Front's Codey Gandey. Codey is part of the Echelon Front staff and is the lead for their First Responder Training program. Codey has worked with a variety of agencies and has personally worked with Kevin's full-time swat team in British Columbia. The group discusses common challenges agencies face and how Echelon can help your team succeed.
Marcus sits down with the Deputy Director of the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center to discuss the importance of fusion centers. Randy started his career as a patrol officer in Atlanta Georgia. However, he spent the majority of his career working for the Drug Enforcement Agency. His final assignment with the DEA was as the Regional Director of the Middle East. After a brief stint in the private sector he became the Deputy Director of NICRIC. Randy shares his lessons learned and his perspective spans from patrol to the Middle East and how what officers do can impact LE efforts around the world.
Marcus Sprague, Kris Jenny, Travis Norton and our guest, Kevin Cyr, discuss active shooter training and response and some of the lessons of the past that we have yet to learn. While the nation mourns the tragedy in Uvalde, it would behoove us to discuss what we can do now to better prepare ourselves, our teams and our communities. This discussion is not intended to specifically address Uvalde, as we believe that would be premature.
Kevin Cyr is a SWAT Commander for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the greater Vancouver metropolitan area. He has over 21 years of experience in law enforcement with a variety of specialty and leadership assignments. We like how Kevin thinks and enjoy his articles. Check him out on LinkedIn or come see his presentation at this year’s CATO Conference in Reno, November 9-12th.
Brent and Marcus sit down with Jon to discuss his relationship with CATO and how he has crossed paths with several pioneers of the tactical community. Jon's unique background has given him the opportunity to receive thousands of hours of tactical training as a civilian and work with a variety of tactical teams throughout law enforcement and the military. Jon uses his experiences to blend a unique outside perspective into the debrief, one which leverages a passion for the tactical community combined with an insider's access and knowledge. https://thedebrief.live/
In this episode, Brent and Marcus talk with the founding members of the Honor Hike Foundation. Each year members of this organization hike one mile for every fallen Law Enforcement Officer from around the country, creating a moving memorial. The foundation also supports the officers' families and their agencies. The Honor Hike Foundation was created by a group of active and reserve law enforcement officers and during the hike the participant carries only the gear they need to survive, a Thin Blue Line American Flag, and dog tags made in honor of each fallen officer. This year several CATO members joined the hike along the Appalachian Trail and carried dog tags in remembrance of Deputy Sheriff Phillip Jesse Campas from Kern County Sheriff's Office, who was killed 7/25/21 and Detective Luca Pietro Benedetti from San Luis Obispo Police Department, who was killed 5/10/21.
To learn more about this noble cause and to show your support visit their website honorhikefoundation.org and donate what you can.
For this exciting podcast, Marcus is joined by CATO board member and training cadre member, Sergeant Kristofer Jenny, and Travis Norton, a southern California lieutenant. The three sit down with the infamous Gordon Graham to discuss Black Swans, Gray Rhinos, and what you can do now to impact your team, your agency, and our profession. Graham, a 33-year veteran of law enforcement and the co-founder of Lexipol, is also a risk management expert and a practicing attorney. He packs the conversation with real takeaways you can use today to improve your decision-making and avoid the next Gray Rhino!
In this episode of the CATO podcast, Brent and Marcus sit down with CATO's Demonstration Response Chair, Adam Sharki, and CATO Training Cadre member, Kris Jenny, to discuss Chapter 2 of the Sound Doctrine, Crisis and Conflict. The group discusses the definition of a crisis, the five characteristics present in all crises and why you should be able to explain them to those you serve with, your superiors, and potentially a jury. The group also discusses how to apply these principles in day-to-day operations.
Neuroscientist Dr. James Engall, co-founder and President of Blast Analytics and Mitigation Inc., sits down with Brent and me to discuss the results of BAam360's research and mitigation with the Navy Seals, how they are bringing about awareness and mitigation strategies related to blast exposure in the military, and why it led them to develop Operations Blue Shield where they leverage their knowledge to help the law enforcement community.
There are a lot of layers to these issues, and the circles these folks travel in continue to overlap with CATO. We can foresee this becoming a partnership that can help mitigate these types of risks for those in our profession. For the record, James Engall is a doctor, and we are talking about medical issues, so if you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, please seek medical help and talk to your doctor.
We will be posting additional information on the website and in the show notes. As always, I hope you enjoy the show and see the value in the work these folks have done with the military and how it can save law enforcement lives.
Marcus is joined by CATO SWAT Team Leader Cadre members Kenny Brayton and Kris Jenny, CATO's After Action Review Chair Travis Norton, and CATO's Demonstration Response Chair Adam Sharki for a panel discussion on the component parts of California Assembly Bill 48 and what you need to know to ensure that your demonstration response and use of force is within policy. We'll discuss what you can do to make sure your demonstration response program's training, documentation, and deployments are consistent with this new law.
Jeff Felts, from Center Mass, is our guest on the latest episode of the CATO Podcast with Marcus Sprague and Kris Jenny, CATO Training Cadre member. As a young sniper, Jeff found himself well trained, but poorly prepared for a very dynamic hostage situation. This setback sent him on a journey to improve his training and resulted in the formation of Center Mass, the National Patrol Rifle Conference and Championship, and the patrol rifle utilization survey. Each year, participants from around the country compete in a variety of patrol rifle scenarios taken from the streets of America.
Jeff retired from law enforcement after serving for twenty years as a Police Officer and Sergeant in suburban Metro Detroit. He is also a veteran of the Army, where he was an MP and in the reserves as an Infantry Drill Sergeant. He also served for 12 years in a part-time capacity with the Western Wayne County Special Operations Team as an Operator, Sniper, and Sniper Team Leader. He holds an associate degree in criminal justice, a bachelor's degree in business administration, and is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Jeff is a certified special weapons and tactics instructor, tactical rifle instructor, sniper instructor, pistol instructor, and President of Center Mass, Inc., and serves as an Advisory Board Member of the American Sniper Association (ASA).
Links of interest:
CMI website https://shop.centermassinc.com/
NPRC main page https://shop.centermassinc.com/info/national-patrol-rifle-conference-championships
Patrol Rifle Utilization Survey https://shop.centermassinc.com/info/patrol-rifle-utilization-survey
CMI Training info https://shop.centermassinc.com/info/leo-training-services
CMI FB page: https://www.facebook.com/centermasslivonia
NPRC FB page: https://www.facebook.com/NationalPatrolRifleConference
We don't often talk about one of the greatest threats facing our profession. This adversary is hard to name, difficult to identify, and is rarely talked about openly, yet each year it kills more and more dedicated men and women in law enforcement and the military. We all agree these professions leave a mark when you're done. For some, this mark can cost them their happiness, family, and even their life. In an effort to find the best information and tools to address this adversary, we reached out to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a pioneer in the field of PTSD research and treatment, a world-renowned psychiatrist, author, researcher, and educator. He’s been researching post-traumatic stress since the 1970s, its effects on the body, and how a variety of modalities can reduce those impacts. He is the author of the bestselling 'The Body Keeps the Score,' which we highly recommend that everyone read.
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk has dedicated his professional life to helping people heal from their traumas, and when we heard about and expressed interest in a brand new 4-week online course on PTSD launching October 20, 2021, Dr. van der Kolk's team graciously offered a limited-time promo code for a discounted rate to our members. CATO is receiving nothing in return for promoting this class, we are not associated with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk or this course in any way, we simply care about our community and want to pass on all resources that can help our community deal with trauma and PTSD. For more information about this 4-week course, and the promo code which expires October 20th, please go to English 4 Week | Bessel van der Kolk, MD..
Joining me as co-host for this episode is Alex West. Alex served multiple tours during his time in the Navy, and led some of the greatest folks our country has to offer through a variety of hot spots around the world. He has dedicated his post-military life to helping veterans and was CATO's keynote speaker at our last annual training conference in San Diego. He also was our guest in podcast episode #3, which we recommend you check out. Alex is truly committed to the CATO Community and joins us today to help veterans and first responders survive the effects of PTSD during and after their careers.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma: van der Kolk M.D., Bessel
Marcus and Brent sit down with retired Alexandria Virginia Captain Tom Panther. Captain Panther, a former SWAT Operator and Commander, was one of the men charged with coordinating the response to the Pentagon attack on 09/11/01. While we hope to never repeat the experiences of 9/11 and the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, there are a lot of lessons to be learned. Panther shares his story and lessons learned from a law enforcement perspective. While he is retired now, the event had a profound impact on his personal and professional life. It also solidified his commitment to a controlled and disciplined response to catastrophic events by utilizing the ICS process. Panther is currently an adjunct faculty member of the TEEX Enhanced Incident Management/Unified Command for All Hazards course, a no-nonsense course packed with practical exercises to prepare students to manage a variety of complex incidents. For more information on that course go to teex.org/class/MGT314
In this podcast episode, Marcus and Brent sit down with Chief Chris Hsiung to discuss lessons in leadership. Hsiung is the Police Chief of the Mountain View Police Department, located in the heart of Silicon Valley CA, and is an internationally recognized speaker and author on the topics of digital strategy, crisis communications, and leadership. In his time with Mountain View PD, Chief Hsiung has held a variety of investigative, tactical, and leadership roles, serving in every division in the organization. He spent 13 years on the Mountain View PD Regional SWAT Team, serving as an assault member, sniper, rappel master, and tactical commander. Chief Hsiung is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government program and has a master’s degree in eBusiness Management from Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont, CA. He also serves in several leadership positions on multiple boards, including committee member on the IACP's Professional Standards, Ethics, and Image Committee, Chair of the California Police Chiefs Association Communications Committee, and as a board member on the Global Advisory Council for the Crisis Ready Institute.
Marcus and Kris Jenny sit down with Kris Allshouse, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Regional Training Center, to discuss the current state of drones in law enforcement, what future drone technology may look like in the near future, and their must-attend class 'The Edge of Chaos.' Kris also discusses several essential courses available at LARTC.
Kris Allshouse is a retired Detective Supervisor and POST Master Instructor. He has designed and taught over 70 courses for CA Law Enforcement including the POST ICI Officer Involved Shooting, Homicide, Burglary, Vehicle Theft, and Identity Theft Investigative Courses. Kris was an instructor and curriculum writer for the POST ICI Instructor’s Course, the IDI Leadership Mentoring and Coaching Course, the IDI Advanced Instructor Course, and the Master Instructor Certification Course. His tactical background as a SWAT operator, medic, and waterborne team member culminated in his working as an anti-terrorism consultant and a tactical drone instructor for agencies across the United States.
Kristofer Jenny is a Sergeant at a Northern California police agency and is part of the CATO Team Leader Teaching Cadre. He is a CATO SLP 2 graduate and was instrumental in creating CATO's Critical Incident Management for Supervisors course.
Marcus sits down with Matt Alexander, Kris Jenny, and Travis Norton to discuss the effects of California AB3 92 on managing hostage rescue operations, as well as its impact on the priority of life and things you should consider in training, deploying, and documenting uses of force.
Matt Alexander is a Lieutenant at a Central California agency. He is a CATO Instructor for the SWAT Team Leader and SWAT Commander courses, a CATO Regional Training Rep, and he also teaches for his own company, Advanced Combat Evolutions. Travis Norton is a Lieutenant in a Southern California agency. He is a CATO SLP 1 (Strategic Leadership Program) graduate, leads the CATO After Action Team, and teaches a variety of classes for the NTOA. Kristofer Jenny is a Sergeant at a Northern California police agency and is part of the CATO Team Leader Teaching Cadre. He is a CATO SLP 2 graduate and was instrumental in creating CATO's Critical Incident Management for Supervisors course.
Does This New Legislation Affect the Decision to Shoot a Hostage Taker?
Marcus continues the conversation about Command and Control with Travis Norton and Kris Jenny. They discuss practical action items you can do now to reduce the friction inherent at all levels during tactical operations. Travis Norton is a Lieutenant in a Southern California agency. He is a CATO SLP 1 (Strategic Leadership Program) graduate, leads the CATO After Action Team, and teaches a variety of classes for the NTOA. Kristofer Jenny is a Sergeant at a Northern California police agency and is part of the CATO Team Leader Teaching Cadre. He is a CATO SLP 2 graduate and was instrumental in creating CATO's Critical Incident Management for Supervisors course.
Marcus and Brent sit down with Ted King to discuss balancing command and control with independent decision-making through a variety of perspectives. Ted is a Lieutenant with the Bakersfield Police Department and a co-founder and managing member of Alpha Safety Solutions, a company that works with organizations and safety professionals to develop comprehensive emergency management plans based on FEMA recommendations. Ted has over 20 years of combined military and law enforcement experience, including SWAT, complex investigations, counter-terrorism, physical security, and vulnerability assessments. He earned a master's degree in emergency management and is a terrorism liaison officer program coordinator for a large municipal police department. Ted has also been a valued member of CATO for many years and graduated from CATO's Strategic Leadership Program.
Marcus Sprague discusses workers' compensation issues with Nick Hitch and Laura Rosenthal. They detail what you can do before, during, and after a work-related injury. Nick is a medically retired police officer from Northern California who was forced to retire after his injury was mismanaged by his agency, their insurance provider, and some of the medical folks charged with his care. Laura is a workers compensation attorney who represents first responders to ensure they get the best treatment possible, and if they can't return to work they are treated fairly by their agency and the insurer.
Kris Jenny and Marcus Sprague sit down with Andrew, who works for a large Southern California law enforcement agency and has managed a variety of First Amendment activities. Andrew recently taught a Demonstration Response Class for CATO and we thought it would be a good time to sit down and discuss some of the key components in analyzing and developing a response to demonstrations, protests, and riots.
Our latest podcast episode, The Tactical Athlete and Quiet Professional with Rob Shaul from Mountain Tactical Athlete, is now available.
In this episode, Marcus Sprague sits down with Rob Shaul, founder and president of the Mountain Tactical Institute, to discuss how Rob and his team design mission-directed fitness programs to assist tactical athletes. We talk about common pitfalls in today’s law enforcement fitness programs and some strategies you can employ today to fix them and improve your mission readiness.
We also delve into the keys to becoming a quiet professional, legal challenges to high jeopardy fitness assessments in law enforcement, and how physical fitness has proven to raise your performance level in a variety of other areas
In this episode, Marcus sits down with Police Promotion Expert Andy Borrello. Andy has helped thousands of law enforcement professionals improve their performance during the oral board process. They discuss what executives are looking for, some of the common pitfalls to avoid, and some key things you can do to separate yourself from other candidates. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a generous offer for CATO podcast listeners. We hope you enjoy the show.
Deputy Chief Jessica Nowaski discusses an intentional approach to building a culture of leadership and how making quick decisions can make us great emergency managers but can work against us when developing a culture of leadership. She discusses some key things you can do right now to improve morale, listen more effectively and improve the culture of your unit, team or organization.
Marcus interviews Zechariah Cartledge, a young man who started his own non-profit, Running 4 Heroes, to raise awareness and funds for first responders who have fallen in the line of duty. But don't take our word for it, listen to this podcast episode where Zechariah explains why he runs a mile for every first responder lost throughout our nation. To learn more about Running 4 Heroes, check out their website running4heroes.org. Please spread the word about their great work and consider supporting this worthy cause.
CATO Training Cadre member Kris Jenny joins Marcus as they interview Tacflow Academy Instructor Mark Lang. Mark has an extensive amount of experience as a law-enforcement sniper and has trained thousands of snipers throughout the country. We discuss sniper response to public venues, aerial platform operations, and lessons Mark has learned from teaching throughout the country and serving as the sniper chair for the NTOA. You can learn more about Tacflow Academy at tacflow.com.
www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/blog/2018/04/16/safety-act
In this episode, Bent and Marcus try a little something different. One of the more popular questions throughout the state from new Team Leaders and Watch Commanders is how to take newfound information back to their teams and lead up and down the chain of command. This is such a prevalent issue throughout our profession that Brent passes out a pdf of the chapter in Extreme Ownership to new leaders at his department. Noted author and previous podcast guest Jack Enter also address this issue in his book. So today Brent and I discuss leading up and down the chain of command and hopefully provide a little direction and tools for those of you who looking for it.
Our newest podcast episode is a conversation with Jack Enter, author of 'Challenging the Law Enforcement Organization: Proactive Leadership Strategies.' We discuss what you need to know about inherent leadership problems in law enforcement and how you can fix it or navigate through it.
Jack Enter started his law enforcement career 48 years ago when he worked as a street police officer, detective, vice/narcotics investigator, and an administrator of a law enforcement agency. He was also one of the research associates assigned to planning the security component of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Since obtaining his Ph.D., he serves as a university professor and administrator, and Director of Information and Education for the Governor's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. He has also lectured throughout the United States and abroad to such groups as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Great Britain's New Scotland Yard, and the Moscow Police Command College. In 2019, Jack Enter was a speaker at CATO's annual training conference.
John Stanley served with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for 32 years. During his career, he taught non-lethal weapons, squad and riot control tactics, served as a member of TASER International’s (now Axon) correctional board of instructors, as a Senior Master Instructor, and lead instructor for the LASD Custody Incident Command School. Stanley is also an award-winning historian, authoring over 80 articles on law enforcement tactics and history, 530 biographical sketches on the peace officers who gave their lives in the line of duty serving the people of Los Angeles County, one novel, and a regular column called ‘From the Archives’ for CATO News magazine. He has recently worked as a consultant on Custody Use of Force cases and as a reader for Sid Heal’s book Concepts of Nonlethal Force. Stanley continues to teach Tactical Science courses in California and around the US for the company Field Command.
Sponsored by National Training Concepts
In this episode, Marcus Sprague of CATO sits down with a legend in law enforcement, Sid Heal, to discuss his new book Concepts of Nonlethal Force. With decades of experience in the military and law enforcement, Sid is a bit of a mad scientist and has authored several outstanding books, most notably Field Command and Sound Doctrine. He is one of the three founders of Field Command - the creators of Tactical Science - a 40 hr class that distills the principles of conflict management taught at war college into meaningful and practical applications for law enforcement. Sid is also the former president of the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) and recently retired as president from the California Association of Tactical Officers (CATO).
This podcast episode is part 2 of the longest one we have recorded to date. There is a lot of content here, so hang on. Sid’s new book is a textbook for anyone who needs to understand less-lethal options, why we use them, and what their limitations are. We cover a gamut of tactical principles, including how less-lethal options effectiveness are measured and how you can successfully navigate and articulate your decisions and explain the often-graphic outcomes from those decisions.
You can pre-order Sid's new book Concepts of Nonlethal Force: Understanding Force from Shouting to Shooting on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
I hope you get as much out of this one as I did.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode, Marcus Sprague of CATO sits down with a legend in law enforcement, Sid Heal, to discuss his new book Concepts of Nonlethal Force. With decades of experience in the military and law enforcement, Sid is a bit of a mad scientist and has authored several outstanding books, most notably Field Command and Sound Doctrine. He is one of the three founders of Field Command - the creators of Tactical Science - a 40 hr class that distills the principles of conflict management taught at war college into meaningful and practical applications for law enforcement. Sid is also the former president of the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) and recently retired as president from the California Association of Tactical Officers (CATO).
This podcast episode is the longest one we have recorded to date. There is a lot of content here, so hang on. Sid’s new book is a textbook for anyone who needs to understand less-lethal options, why we use them, and what their limitations are. We cover a gamut of tactical principles, including how less-lethal options effectiveness are measured and how you can successfully navigate and articulate your decisions and explain the often-graphic outcomes from those decisions.
How culture is a force multiplier for your tactical team and organizations.
Brent and Marcus from CATO interview Aardvark CEO Jon Becker. Jon is part philosopher, part warrior, and fully committed to excellence in his personal and professional life. He has presented his philosophy on leadership to CATO's Strategic Leadership Program and at our annual CATO Conference, and written articles on it for CATO's magazine and other publications. In this podcast, Jon discusses lessons learned from tactical legends that he applies to his business model. Specifically, what people look for in a leader, how to create the right culture for your team, and how seeking strong personalities for your team is the key to success.
Jon can be reached at: JBecker@aardvarktactical.com
Brent and Marcus sit down with Mike Wood and discuss how history can provide understanding and hope for the challenges that law enforcement faces today. They discuss the similarities and differences between the current protests throughout our nation and those of the late 1960s. Mike is part warrior, historian, author, and philosopher. His historical perspective can provide context and hope for those of us on the line during these tumultuous times.
Mike Wood is the son of a 30-year California Highway Patrolman and the author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, the highly-acclaimed study of the 1970 California Highway Patrol gunfight in Newhall, California. Mike is an Honor Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a graduate of the US Army Airborne School, and a retired US Air Force pilot with over 26 years of service. He’s a certified law enforcement firearms instructor in Handgun, Shotgun and Patrol Rifle disciplines, serves as a member of the Editorial Board at PoliceOne.com, and has written the “Tactical Analysis” column at PoliceOne.com since 2014. Mike's the Senior Editor at RevolverGuy.com, and has been a featured guest on the Excellence In Training Academy, Firearms Nation, and American Warrior Society podcasts, as well as several radio and television programs. He’s grateful for the opportunity to speak with The CATO Podcast.
Part 2 of 2: SWAT legend and CATO plank holder RK Miller discusses the importance of independent tactical team audits, what they are and why you should be doing them. RK has been training SWAT officers for over forty years, has conducted a variety of audits, and testifies as an expert defending teams throughout the nation. He is true gentlemen, and some say he conducted the AAR when Moses conducted rural operations and waterborne exercises at the Red Sea.
Marcus and Mitch sit down with Chris Thorp from Operation Enduring Warrior, Task Force Sentinel. In his former life Chris worked as a medical first responder and spent the majority of his life working as a deputy in the jail. Chris saw a lot of emotionally and physically wounded members of law enforcement not getting what they needed. In this episode we discuss how and why Chris dedicated his life to serving the law enforcement community and how Operation Enduring Warrior serves wounded military and law enforcement veterans. Chris's message is more important today and ever. For more information on Operation Enduring Warrior check out: https://www.enduringwarrior.org/
Part 1 of 2: SWAT legend and CATO plank holder RK Miller discusses the importance of independent tactical team audits, what they are and why you should be doing them. RK has been training SWAT officers for over forty years, has conducted a variety of audits, and testifies as an expert defending teams throughout the nation. He is true gentlemen, and some say he conducted the AAR when Moses conducted rural operations and waterborne exercises at the Red Sea.
Mitch Brouillette is a Sergeant in Northern California with extensive experience working with schools as a resource officer. In this episode, he will discuss a comprehensive approach to creating and implementing an active shooter program in your community. Mitch will walk us through the steps needed to create a program that meets the needs of students, law enforcement, educators, and parents.
Alex West, a former Navy Seal, sits down with Mitch Brouillette and Toby Darby to discuss a variety of topics and how the lessons he learned serving in the Navy can translate to law enforcement. He also talks about the importance of “Making it to your next meal.” This is a great conversation that demonstrates Alex’s breadth of knowledge and humility with a practical application you can implement today.
Oceanside California Lieutenant Travis Norton sits down with Brent Stratton and Marcus Sprague to discuss the common problems we all face during adversarial-based mass casualty incidents, and what we need to learn before it comes to our town. Travis recently completed his Master’s thesis on this topic, and he also teaches for the NTOA throughout the country and shares his experiences traveling throughout the world for the CATO After Action Review project. In this episode, Travis will also debunk some training myths and stresses the importance of principle-based decision-making based upon lessons learned from real-life events.
Our guest is retired USMC Colonel and LAPD Sergeant Tim Anderson. The idea of an interview with Tim quickly grew into this podcast, so it is only fitting that our first released episode contains an interview with Tim about a key component of his success as a leader in the military and law enforcement. This episode discusses the importance of placing people in the right positions and how we, as leaders, often injure our own when it was us who put the square peg in a round hole.
