Seeking Savannah Spurlock Part 2: A Bluegrass Beat Case Study
In this conclusion of the Bluegrass Beat case study: Seeking Savannah, Richmond Police Sgt. Kelli Fraze discusses her agency’s experience as the high-profile missing person’s case turned toward seeking justice for a murdered young Kentucky mother—Savannah Spurlock.
Fraze, who was one of the case’s lead investigators, speaks about steps taken, lessons learned, gaining information from technology and more.
Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson also talks about the hard work and dedication from his department that led to the case’s resolution, and Savannah’s aunt, Lisa Thoma, talks about the family’s interaction with RPD and what Savannah was like while she was living.
Read More
Seeking Savannah Spurlock Part 1: A Bluegrass Beat Case Study
It’s January 2019, a young mother of four has gone missing after a night out with friends. Her family is looking for answers and a community is concerned as everyone is seeking to find Savannah Spurlock and bring her home.
In this special episode of Bluegrass Beat, Richmond Police Sgt. Kelli Fraze reflects on the early days of the case that threw Kentucky into the spotlight and spanned three counties. Fraze, who was one of the case’s lead investigators, also talks about the first steps taken, lessons learned, gaining information from technology and more.
Richmond Chief Rodney Richardson also speaks about the importance media relations had on the case’s outcome.
Read More
Resilient: Finding the tools to remain mentally fortified as first responders
In the first episode of 2024, Department of Criminal Justice Training Instructor Gabe Gillingham talks about the Kentucky Post-Critical Incident Seminar, tools for coping with trauma and day-to-day stress, first-responder self-care, resiliency training and more.
Read More
No Compromise: Looking Back to Look Forward with Commissioner Nicolai Jilek
In this year-end episode, Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Commissioner Nicolai Jilek talks to host Critley King-Smith about starting his fifth year at DOCJT, the importance of standards, learning from looking back, supporting department staff, meeting law enforcement training needs with collaboration and no compromise.
Read More
Full Circle with DOCJT Instructor David Gregory
In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Instructor David Gregory talks about his comprehensive experience with the agency as a recruit, a police chief and now as an educator.
Read More
Professional Standards with John Bizzack
In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, former Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Commissioner John Bizzack talks about the efforts to establish the Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) and their lasting impact.
Read More
A Safe Place with State School Security Marshal Ben Wilcox
In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, State School Security Marshal Ben Wilcox discusses his office’s recent report and keeping Kentucky kids safe while learning.
Read More
The Way It Was
In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, Director of Training Operations Frank Kubala and Telecommunications Section Supervisor Lee Ann Boyle reflect on memorable moments, training changes, comradery and culture that comprise Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training history.
Read More
Half a Century with DOCJT
In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, host Critley King-Smith walks down memory lane with Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Staff Assistant Patrick Miller to discuss the agency’s half-century history.
Read More
Character-Based Leadership with Mike Bosse
In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, host Critley King-Smith talks with former Georgetown Police Chief Mike Bosse about character-based leadership, the image of policing, changing the atmosphere of a department as a new leader, setting standards for one’s agency and holding each other accountable.
Read More
