In this episode, Dawson Springs Police Chief Mike Opalek discusses policing in a tight-knit community, recovering from natural disasters, the impact of DOCJT drone training, drone technology in policing, and how the greater law enforcement family came to help his town during their time of need.
Read MoreIn this powerful and enlightening episode, Department of Criminal Justice Training Resiliency Instructor Gabe Gillingham and his wife, Melissa Gillingham, discuss post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) among first responders and its ripple effects on their families and marriages. Tune in to hear the Gillinghams share their own personal journey through PTSI, restoration, helping others heal, and their continued work through the Kentucky Post-Critical Incidence Seminar (KYPCIS).
Read MoreIn this episode of Bluegrass Beat, Flemingsburg Police Chief and Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation (KLEMF) Board Chair Brian Bowling speaks with host Critley King-Smith about the foundation, its history, this year’s upcoming memorial ceremony, resources provided for families of the fallen and much more.
Read MoreIn 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 MoreIt’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 MoreIn 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 MoreIn 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.
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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.
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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 MoreIn this episode of Bluegrass Beat, State School Security Marshal Ben Wilcox discusses his office’s recent report and keeping Kentucky kids safe while learning.
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