In this episode, Devonta and Vince are joined by police commander Eric Tong to discuss various aspects of law enforcement, including the hiring process, promotional guides, recent trends in community safety, and the importance of tactical breathing. They also delve into specific incidents, such as an accidental discharge in Jacksonville and the implications of political decisions on police morale. The conversation emphasizes the need for continuous training, accountability, and the importance of community support for officers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eric Tong and Blue Grit Wellness

03:03 The Importance of Hiring and Promotional Guides

05:55 Navigating the Hiring Process in Law Enforcement

09:07 Recent Trends in Law Enforcement and Community Safety

11:08 School Safety Laws and Threat Assessment Teams

13:52 Accidental Discharge Incident in Jacksonville

16:49 Discussion on Firearm Handling During Traffic Stops

19:47 Community Reactions and Officer Training

22:54 Final Thoughts on Safety and Training in Law Enforcement

29:11 Concerns Over Presidential Pardons

32:57 Impact on Law Enforcement Community

38:01 Tragic K-9 Incident in Las Vegas

41:46 The Importance of Tactical Pause

48:52 Legal Update: Serving Protective Orders

58:52 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Takeaways

• Teamwork and experience are crucial in law enforcement.
• Many applicants struggle with the hiring process due to lack of knowledge.
• It's important to keep trying and not get discouraged during the hiring process.
• Every school should have a threat assessment team for safety.
• Accidental discharges can have serious consequences for officers.
• Safety should always be prioritized over ego in law enforcement.
• Continuous training and improvement are essential for officers.
• Legal updates are important for understanding the boundaries of law enforcement actions.
• Tactical breathing can help manage stress in high-pressure situations.
• Community support is vital for the well-being of law enforcement officers.

Commander Eric Tung has been a police officer for 17 years in Washington State. He currently oversees patrol operations and his department’s wellness and peer support programs. Eric became fascinated with health and fitness in efforts to be the most optimal cop he could be. His experiences in the career with near-fatal critical incidents, being a peer support team leader, and losing his friend in duty has led him to championing wellness as a necessary pillar of police leadership and culture. He has led and innovated recruiting, hiring, training, community engagement, civil disturbance and field training programs. He develops wellness and leadership content on @bluegritwellness on Instagram, bluegritwellness.com and the Blue Grit Radio podcast and regularly contributes to Police 1.

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Keywords

law enforcement, hiring process, police training, community safety, K-9, tactical breathing, legal updates, officer accountability, school safety, promotional guides