CopThink Podcast explores current issues in policing and focuses on the question, “Why do police do what they do?” In each episode, host Brian Casey interviews a variety of guests from law enforcement and other disciplines. He and his guests discuss how cops think on (and off) the job.
You can listen to every CopThink episode below. The podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you like what you hear, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform — it helps others discover the podcast.
Brian Casey is a police sergeant and director of his agency’s Employee Assistance Program. He is author of the book Good Cop, Good Cop and a regular public speaker and wellness trainer.
Therapist Kyle Keller talks about the signs and symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks. He describes ways to manage these episodes and strategies to treat them. He also talks about emerging drug-assisted therapies for PTSD.
Read More
Officer Don Chouinard talks about his 33 years of patrol work, including a long tenure on the SWAT team and beginning his career as a rural cop. He shares his approach to making the job work him, and how best to support other cops.
Read More
Sergeant Ron Townsend talks about changes in his thinking about policing after recent events. He believes one solution is to talk more freely with each other about our experience of race on and off the job.
Read More
Officers Genevieve Frye and Darin McDonald describe the type of calls they like and really dislike. Darin talks about his career as a gay police officer, while Gen tells about some of the pressures of being a female cop. Both describe their tattoos and what a great conversation starter they are on the street.
Read More
Mark May and Brian Casey, Saint Paul police officers, compare notes on becoming a cop at the age of forty-five. They talk about the challenges of becoming a cop at that age, as well as the skills and experience they brought to the work.
Read More
Roxanne Prichard describes all the important functions sleep provides for the body and mind. She details how to create the best sleep environment and good routines (behaviors) that support restful and restorative sleep.
Read More
Minneapolis police sergeant, Eric Hagel, and Ed Chionchio of Genesis House talk about their lives in recovery. Both describe themselves as thankful alcoholics and that life is progress not perfection.
Read More
Officers Dan King and Brian Wanschura recount an ambush attack and how their mental discipline prepared them for that night. They tell of the importance of preparing your mind as an officer and the mental exercises they practiced together on every shift.
Read More
Coach Sok of Field Training Associates, an expert on field training, tells about the components of an interactive field training model. Sok also shares his point of view on suicide prevention,
Read More
Commander Josh Lego is an expert on use of force and human performance under stress. He discusses how the removal of value judgements can influence an officer’s perspective on use of force.
Read More
Kent Williams talks about the difficulties that come with the five strings of law enforcement culture where officers become pessimistic, non-trusting, control freaks who fight change and assess blame.
Read More
Andy Lewis tells how he learned to understand, interact and work with horses as a mounted-police officer for over fourteen years.
Read More
Vang and Casey discuss the benefits of hobbies and outside interests for police officers. Vang describes his interest in lawn care and squirrel hunting. Vang and Casey consider the impact of body-worn cameras on officer camaraderie.
Read More
Chad Malmberg explores the similarities and differences of his police and military experience.
Read More
Listen to Brian Casey’s interview with Matt Flynn about his recovery journey to sobriety and his life in recovery as a police officer. Matt shares the struggles he has overcome and the rewards of sobriety.
Read More