Bob Plaschke - Podcast Details

Shows

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response Podcast with Bob Plaschke, Episode 22 - Chief Polly Olson, Appleton, WI - From Morgue Assistant to Police ChiefThe sirens get the headlines, but the choices that shape a city’s safety often start far from the street. We sit down with Appleton Police Chief Olson to trace her unexpected path from biology student and morgue assistant to the department’s first female chief, exploring how a ride‑along turned into a calling and why the future of policing hinges on empathy, de‑escalation, and smarter support for families.Across a candid, story-rich conversation, we unpack the realities behind the badge: what drew a young mom into patrol work, how her husband navigated fear without a ready...

2026-03-0138 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response Podcast with Bob Plaschke, Episode 21 - Captain Kristen Neubauer (Ret.) - Behind The Badge, Beyond The BiasThe sirens fade and the real work begins. That’s where Kristen Neubauer, former captain and investigator with the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, takes us. Into the spaces where competence erodes bias, where leaders guard their team’s energy like a scarce resource, and where evidence, not instinct, carries the truth across the finish line. From being the only woman in her academy to leading complex investigations, she shares how pressure can unify teams and how empathy, used wisely, keeps you human without letting the job hollow you out.We explore the difference between patrol’s volatility and an...

2026-01-0539 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response Podcast with Bob Plaschke, Episode 20 - Barton Bollfrass - The New Tools Protecting First RespondersA flood isn’t just water. It’s noise, darkness, panic, a moving car you can’t predict, and a victim who might fight the person trying to help. That’s why we brought on Barton Bollfrass, a Navy EOD diver turned technologist, who builds training environments and tools that mirror the chaos without the body count. Barton walks us through Fathom Tanks, the physical simulator that puts first responders into rushing water around real vehicles, with reluctant “victims,” lightning, sirens, and the stress that makes or breaks decisions. When teams can fail safely and reset in seconds, they learn what m...

2025-12-0437 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response Podcast with Bob Plaschke, Episode 1 - Sgt. Michael Sugrue Walnut Creek Police Department (Ret.): Relentless Courage - PTSI and Police LeadershipIn this debut episode, PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke speaks with former Air Force captain and Walnut Creek Police Sergeant (ret.) Michael Sugrue, author of Relentless Courage, a book that chronicles his personal battle with mental health challenges that peaked after he had to use lethal force. Sugrue talks about the invisible toll of daily trauma on first responders and explains why “post-traumatic stress injury” (PTSI) is a more accurate and constructive term than “disorder,” outlining how repeated exposure to crisis produces real, physical changes in the brain. He contrasts short, defined combat deployments with the relentless, years-long hyper-vigilance of civilian...

2025-11-0316 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response Podcast with Bob Plaschke, Episode 19: Chief Scott Hughes, Hamilton Township, Warren County, OH: From Hypervigilance To Better Training: A Chief’s Case For Major-League PolicingThe front line is loud, but the mindset behind it is louder. Chief Scott Hughes joins us to unpack the lived reality of hypervigilance, why officers won’t sit with their backs to the door, and what constant scanning does to stress, health, and family life. From there, we dig into an uncomfortable truth: we expect “major league” perfection from police while funding “T-ball” training. Hughes argues for a new model built on daily fundamentals, stress-inoculated scenarios, and real coaching that turns good judgment into second nature.We also tackle the swelling scope of police work. Understaffing and attrit...

2025-10-2540 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response with Bob Plaschke Episode 18, Doug Shoemaker Chief of Police, Denton, TX Police Department (Ret.): Leadership in Crisis: Navigating Modern Policing ChallengesWhat does policing look like beyond the dramatized TV portrayals and sensationalized headlines? In this illuminating conversation with retired Chief Doug Shoemaker, we uncover the profound realities of modern law enforcement leadership and the extraordinary psychological burden carried by those who wear the badge.Chief Shoemaker brings 33 years of frontline experience to this discussion, including his roles as Chief of Police for both Denton, Texas and Grand Junction, Colorado. Now working alongside renowned leadership expert Simon Sinek at "The Curve," he's helping shape the future of police leadership in America.The statistics are staggering...

2025-09-1741 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response with Bob Plaschke Episode 17 - Chief Ken Wallentine: You Matter Like I Matter: Rebuilding Trust in Law EnforcementWhat does it mean to carry five generations of law enforcement legacy? Ken Wallentine, the Chief of the West Jordan (Utah) Police Department, takes us on a remarkable journey through 150 years of family policing history—from his great-great-great-grandfather who served as a Deputy US Marshal during the Civil War to his daughter who texted "Dad, I'm okay" after a tense armed standoff just yesterday.Behind the badge lies a profound philosophy that guides Chief Wallentine's department: "You matter, like I matter." This simple yet powerful approach recognizes the humanity in both officers and community members. As policing ha...

2025-08-2936 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response with Bob Plaschke Episode 16 - Lt. Davin Cole (Ret.): Breaking Silence: A Hidden Mental Health CrisisWhen retired Lieutenant Davin Cole reveals that police officers experience three to five traumatic events every month—the equivalent of what most civilians face in an entire lifetime—you begin to understand the monumental mental health challenges behind the badge.Through raw honesty, Lt. Cole shares his 31-year journey in law enforcement that culminated in addiction, depression, and a desperate act that ended his career. Despite two officer-involved shootings and countless traumatic scenes, it was an injury during canine training that set him on a path of prescription opioid dependency and undiagnosed complex PTSD. His story represents a st...

2025-07-2240 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response with Bob Plaschke Episode 15 - Deputy Chief Jim Martin: Community Policing Meets Modern Technology: How Pueblo PD is Saving LivesWhat makes someone dedicate their life to policing? For Deputy Chief Jim Martin of the Pueblo Police Department, it's about community connection, innovation, and heart. Born and raised in Pueblo with family roots stretching back a century, Martin returned after military service to protect the community he loves – not just as an officer, but as a youth football coach impacting hundreds of kids' lives.Technology is revolutionizing how Martin's department serves their Colorado community. Their Real-Time Crime Center deploys drones to emergency scenes within 60-90 seconds, providing officers with what Martin calls "an angel in the sky." Th...

2025-07-0138 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response with Bob Plaschke Episode 14 - Deputy Director of Public Safety Brad Petersen, Cottage Grove, MN: Mental Health Challenges in an "Average" Police ForceThe mental health challenges facing police officers in America's suburban departments deserve just as much attention as those in major metropolitan forces. Deputy Director of Public Safety, Brad Petersen of Minnesota's Cottage Grove Police Department pulls back the curtain on what he describes as an "average" American police agency - not too urban, not too rural, with officers handling just 5-10 calls per shift.In these relatively safe communities, officers face a unique psychological challenge: maintaining vigilance without succumbing to complacency. "Because our community is so safe, it's easy to get lulled into a false sense of...

2025-06-2633 min

Around the Horn Our Last Show… Thank You Fans!!!For one last time we go Around the Horn. Tony Reali is joined by Bill Plaschke, Woody Paige, J.A. Adande, Bob Ryan, Tim Cowlishaw, Kevin Blackistone, Frank Isola, and Jackie MacMullan. The final panel discuss who is the GOAT during our show's history? All the panelists do their final Face Time's. Plus, Pablo Torre joins the show to help Tony explain the scoring system. Thanks for 23 years and 4,953 episodes!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2025-05-2426 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 13: David Berez, President of SIX4 Consultants, LLCJoin Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 13, Bob speaks with David Berez—retired patrol officer, nationally recognized Drug Recognition Expert, and founder of Six4 Consultants. With more than two decades on the street in East Windsor, New Jersey, David earned multiple service medals while serving as officer-in-charge, school resource officer, crash investigator, and tactical casualty-care instructor. Since retiring in 2020, he has turned his field experience into action, training agencies nationwide as a master resiliency trainer, advising corporations on physical-security str...

2025-04-2441 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 2: Mike MilsteinMike Milstein is an experienced law enforcement professional with a robust background in leadership and public safety. Currently, he plays a pivotal role in addressing critical issues within the law enforcement community, such as drug overdose responses, behavioral health crises, and hate crime prevention. Mike is known for his strategic approach to integrating public health and safety measures, fostering multi-sector collaborations, and enhancing community engagement through innovative policing models.Mike's dedication to improving law enforcement practices is evident through his involvement in various initiatives, including the Public Health and Public Safety Team (PHAST) and efforts...

2025-04-2429 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 12: Officer David Goldstein, Northeastern University PoliceJoin Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 12, Bob speaks with David Goldstein—a 25-year law-enforcement veteran whose resume spans the U.S. Marine Corps, the LAPD, the NYPD, and now the Northeastern University Police. Commended in Los Angeles for rescuing a kidnapping victim, named the NYPD’s 2014 Sergeant of the Year after dismantling a child-sex-trafficking ring in Brooklyn, and later commanding six sergeants and 70 officers in South Jamaica, Queens, David has led crime-reduction, traffic-safety, and community-policing initiatives that delivered measu...

2025-04-2443 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 10: Scott Rose, Sheriff of Dodge County, Minnesota and the host and producer of the Officer Down Memorial Podcast.Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 10, Bob speaks with Scott Rose, Sheriff of Dodge County, Minnesota and the host and producer of the Officer Down Memorial Podcast.Sheriff Rose is a 20+ year law enforcement veteran from Minnesota who’s worked in patrol, warrants, investigations, and administration during his career. He is on the board of directors for the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association and the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of SE Minnesota. The Officer Down Memorial Podcast episodes ar...

2025-02-2138 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 9: Chief Patrick Patton, Kenosha, WI Police DepartmentJoin Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 9, Bob speaks with Chief Patrick Patton of the Kenosha, WI, Police Department.Chief Patton entered law enforcement after serving in the United States Marine Corps.He began his career with the City of Kenosha Police Department. From 2006-2022, he held several positions on the department such as Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. He also served as a firearms instructor, SWAT, Field Training Officer and founded the Kenosha Police Department Civil Disturbance R...

2025-01-0238 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 8: Chief Lance Arnold, Weatherford, Texas Police DepartmentJoin Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 8, Bob speaks with Chief Lance Arnold of the Weatherford, TX Police Department.Since June 2017, Arnold served as the Chief of Police for the Weatherford Police Department, a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas. While serving as Police Chief, he has also served the citizens of Weatherford as the Director of Public Safety and Assistant City Manager. Prior to his time in Weatherford, Arnold served for 20 years with the Norman Police Department in Oklahoma...

2024-12-1245 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 7: Chief Kevin Denney, Grand Island, NE Police DepartmentJoin Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 7, Bob speaks with Chief Kevin Denny of the Channel Islands Nebraska Police Department. Chief Denny runs an approximately 100 sworn officer agency and articulates the challenges Police Chiefs face in recruiting and training officers. He explores the hurdles to ensuring he and their officers connect with the public to rebuild the trust/relationship that has been lost in the last years. Chief Denny also talks about how to make our schools safer and in...

2024-11-2734 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 6: Robert Stewart, Director - Policing with Our CommunityJoin Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 6, Bob Stewart, a seasoned law enforcement executive with over 50 years of experience, discusses the evolution of policing, community engagement, and police accountability. Stewart's rich career spans leadership roles across various police departments and his insights into operationalizing community efforts, rethinking patrol structures, and addressing modern challenges in policing provide valuable lessons for today’s public safety leaders. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the issues shaping public safety in America today. h...

2024-09-2543 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 5: William Townsell, Assistant Director with the Chicago Police Department's Office of Community PolicingFor over 23 years, William Townsell has been a dedicated civilian Assistant Director with the Chicago Police Department's Office of Community Policing. In this role, William oversees crime abatement outreach and engagement initiatives for businesses and landlords, and delivers crime prevention presentations to individuals and community groups. He has also stepped in as acting supervisor for the civilian field operations staff across the city when needed. Additionally, William is responsible for conducting training and orientations for volunteer court advocates. Since September 2015, he has expanded his expertise as an auxiliary youth trainer, working with 6th to 8th-grade students in a federally...

2024-08-0631 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 4: Adam GardnerAdam Gardner is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 15 years of experience. Currently, he serves as a Police Corporal in the Professional Standards Division of the City of Leander, Texas. His responsibilities include training and developing both new recruits and seasoned officers, as well as conducting internal affairs investigations.Adam holds numerous specialized certifications, including TCOLE Firearms Instructor, Less Lethal Impact Munitions Instructor, Pepperball Instructor, AR-15 Armorer, and Glock Armorer. He is also certified as a Force Science Analyst and has completed advanced courses in internal affairs through the Texas Police Chiefs Association and FBI-LEEDA.

2024-07-1826 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response with Bob Plaschke: Episode 3: Frank Milstead, Colonel Arizona Department of Public Safety (Ret.)Colonel Frank Milstead, a distinguished figure in Arizona law enforcement, has dedicated over 35 years to serving and protecting his community. Beginning his career with the Phoenix Police Department in 1985, Milstead quickly rose through the ranks, gaining extensive experience across various divisions. His leadership capabilities were further recognized when he was appointed Chief of Police for the Mesa Police Department in 2010, where he enhanced operational efficiency and community relations. In 2015, Milstead became the Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, where he earned a unanimous confirmation vote by the Arizona State Senate. Notably, he pioneered the Arizona Border Strike...

2024-06-2736 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 3: Frank Milstead

2024-06-2038 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke First Response with Bob Plaschke: Episode 2: Mike Milstein, Deputy Director, Office of Equity and Engagement & Office of Victim Services, Chicago Police DepartmentMike Milstein is an experienced law enforcement professional with a robust background in leadership and public safety. Currently, he plays a pivotal role in addressing critical issues within the law enforcement community, such as drug overdose responses, behavioral health crises, and hate crime prevention. Mike is known for his strategic approach to integrating public health and safety measures, fostering multi-sector collaborations, and enhancing community engagement through innovative policing models.Mike's dedication to improving law enforcement practices is evident through his involvement in various initiatives, including the Public Health and Public Safety Team (PHAST) and efforts...

2024-06-1029 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 2: Steve SweetingSteve Sweeting is a sergeant at the Gainesville, FL Police Department and is recognized for his expertise in training challenging recruits and shaping police training policies. With over a decade of experience as a Field Training Officer (FTO), Sgt. Sweeting has twice been presented with the Medal of Valor and has been awarded the Governor’s Award for Heroism. He is the founder of StreetStoic.com and author of "Street Stoic", advocating for the integration of Stoicism into law enforcement to offer officers a way to manage stress and anxiety and become the best versions of themselves.

2024-05-0817 min

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke Episode 1: Michael CantrellHost of The Prison Officer Podcast, Mike Cantrell has been in corrections for over 28 years. He has recently retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons as the Chief of the Office of Emergency Preparedness. He is a firearms, less lethal, breaching and disturbance control instructor and has led special response, disturbance control and canine teams over his career.https://www.pepperball.com

2024-05-0832 min

Headlines From The Times Vin Scully, the greatestVin Scully was the broadcaster for the Dodgers baseball franchise for 67 years, from its time in Brooklyn through its move to Los Angeles. In the process, he not only became a sports legend; he became a summer soundtrack for generations of fans in Southern California and beyond.Today, we remember the life and legacy of Vin Scully. Read the full transcript here.Host: Former fellow for The Times, Angel CarrerasGuests: L.A. Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, sportscaster Bob CostasMore reading:

2022-08-0426 min