Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts

Dive into the intense, bizarre, and unfiltered world of law enforcement with host Steve Gould on Things Police See. In this episode, Steve sits down with retired Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith, who spent 29 years policing the relentless Chicago metro area. As one of the pioneering female officers of the early 1980s, Betsy shares the raw reality of breaking into a male-dominated field, navigating systemic hazing, and turning her perspective into a tactical advantage. From the psychological adrenaline dump of her very first rookie homicide scene to a mind-boggling, bizarre medical emergency, Betsy tells it all. She also takes us deep undercover into a high-stakes 1980s cocaine sting where quick, life-or-death thinking was the only thing that saved her and her partner. Now a spokesmen for the National Police Association, Betsy discusses the current state of law enforcement staffing shortages, the flaws in modern recruitment initiatives, and why finding a community that backs the blue is crucial for the next generation of officers. Support the National Police Association https://nationalpolice.org/ Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

In this powerful episode, hosts Steve and Ken Roybal sit down with Andrew Gonzalez, a 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) who spent the majority of his career working the intense 77th Street Division and specialized gang units. Andrew pulls back the curtain on the evolution of modern street gangs, revealing how social media and encrypted applications have shifted criminal enterprises into highly sophisticated, clandestine corporate-style structures. He drops hard-hitting truths about the daily realities of policing in South Central, what it feels like to face a loaded gun in a split-second shootout, and the harrowing side of responding to violent crime scenes. Beyond the tactical talk, this interview explores the heavy mental health toll of law enforcement. Andrew opens up about his personal battles with PTSD, depression, and human suffering, sparking an important conversation with Ken (himself a retired LAPD veteran) on the critical importance of modern police resiliency programs, mental health resources, and catching trauma before it overflows. Tune in to hear an authentic, raw perspective on the human being behind the badge, the undeniable power of a strong family unit, and how Andrew is now giving back through his first-responder business, Battle Cry Gear. Check out Andrew's high-quality first responder EDC gear: https://battlecrygear.com Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

Step inside the world of frontline policing with retired San Antonio Police Officer Ernie Stevens, co‑author, crisis‑response pioneer, and star of HBO's Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops. In this powerful interview, Ernie shares raw, unfiltered stories from 30 years on the job — from adrenaline‑pumping pursuits to heartbreaking death notifications, bizarre calls, and the creation of one of the nation's most respected police mental‑health units. Host Steve Gould of Things Police See dives deep into Ernie's early days as a young officer, his most intense and terrifying moments, and the emotional toll that comes with serving a major city like San Antonio. Ernie also opens up about responding to officers in crisis, the evolution of de‑escalation, and what policing really looks like behind the scenes. If you're interested in law enforcement, mental health, crisis intervention, or real‑world police stories told without filters, this episode delivers. Ernie and Scott's Book https://a.co/d/1ZnX4BO Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve - @TheSergeantSteve https://www.youtube.com/@TheSergeantSteve

Former FBI agent Barry Black joins Things Police See to share gripping firsthand accounts from his 31‑year career. Barry served as a sniper at Waco, responded to the Oklahoma City bombing, worked the Atlanta Olympic bombing, and deployed to Ground Zero after 9/11. He also trained military and law‑enforcement personnel around the world and recently released his memoir Hazardous Devices. In this interview, Barry breaks down what really happened at Waco, describes the chaos of Oklahoma City, explains the evolution of bomb‑tech work, and shares unbelievable stories from financial‑crime investigations to international terrorism cases. This episode offers rare insight into the realities of federal law enforcement, high‑risk operations, and the human side of policing. If you're interested in FBI operations, SWAT, bomb disposal, true crime, or behind‑the‑scenes law‑enforcement stories, this is an episode you won't forget. Barry's Book - https://a.co/d/dJf7WQJ Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve - Bodycam breakdowns https://www.youtube.com/@UCuobtuGxJny9V5lX5a1ieuw

Listen to raw, unfiltered police stories from a 30-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department! Retired Lieutenant Scott Zierden shares his firsthand accounts of bizarre calls, intense fights, terrifying moments, and heartwarming rescues during his career in patrol, training, criminal investigations, and internal affairs. Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055

Retired LAPD Lieutenant Rick Dedmon joins the show to share over 50 years of intense, bizarre, and sometimes humorous police stories from his career with LAPD, Casper PD, and Natrona County Sheriff's Office. From high-speed pursuits and armed suspects in the 1970s "Jungle" to a tragic training accident that shook Hollywood Division, Rick pulls no punches. He also discusses his current volunteer work with Copline, helping officers and their families through PTSD, trauma, and crisis. Copline www.copline.org Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055

Dive into the 2025 year-end review of the popular law enforcement podcast "Things Police See: Firsthand Accounts" hosted by Steve Gould! In this special episode, Steve is joined by his lovely wife Kerry for a fun, candid conversation covering podcast stats from Spotify Wrapped, growth challenges, top episodes (including the ATF task force standout), listener demographics across 52 countries, and surprising fan favorites in music and books. Get behind-the-scenes insights on balancing police life, family Christmas chaos, the rise of the Sergeant Steve YouTube channel, short-form content struggles, and heartwarming stories from police holiday parties and academies. If you love intense, bizarre, and humorous police stories from active and retired officers, subscribe for weekly episodes! Share with a cop in your life – guest suggestions welcome. Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055