Briefing Room Podcast

Badge and Calling: Leadership and Legacy

In this episode, Colonel Matthew Birmingham, Director of the Vermont State Police and General Chair of the IACP State and Provincial Division, joins Mike Wagers for a candid conversation about what it means to lead a statewide law enforcement agency through one of the most turbulent decades in modern policing. Colonel Birmingham traces his path from road trooper to narcotics investigator to agency director, reflecting on how each chapter shaped his people-first approach to leadership. They discuss the weight of navigating COVID-19, the aftermath of George Floyd, and how both tested the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The conversation covers officer wellness and peer support, embedding mental health crisis workers directly in barracks, the unique staffing pressures of policing 200 of Vermont's 251 towns, and the growing complexity of northern border crime. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.policebriefing.com [https://www.policebriefing.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Service Over Politics: Being a Superhero and Building Safer Communities with Sheriff Dennis Lemma

In this episode, Sheriff Dennis Lemma of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office joins Mike Wagers for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, service, and the future of policing. Sheriff Lemma reflects on rising through the ranks, from correctional officer to sheriff, and shares how that journey has shaped the way he leads today. They discuss the opioid epidemic, the importance of addressing root causes, and why Sheriff Lemma believes mental health is the next major challenge public safety must confront. The conversation also explores technology, innovation, agency culture, and how leaders can stay grounded in service while navigating politics, public expectations, and rapid change. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.policebriefing.com [https://www.policebriefing.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

From Cocaine Cowboys to County Sheriff with Sheriff Mike Chapman

In this episode, Sheriff Mike Chapman—elected in 2011 and now serving his fourth term as sheriff of Loudoun County (VA) Sheriff’s Office—shares stories from a remarkable 48-year career in law enforcement. From his early days in Howard County, Maryland, to high-stakes drug operations with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Miami during the “cocaine cowboy” era, Chapman recounts firsthand experiences that rival scenes from Narcos and Miami Vice. He discusses international assignments in Pakistan and Asia, the leadership lessons he brought back to Virginia, and how those experiences shaped his award-winning approach as sheriff. Chapman also reflects on navigating politics, collaborating with federal law enforcement partners, building community trust, and the philosophy behind his book, Step Up and Lead. It’s a candid conversation about service, accountability, and what it takes to lead a modern law enforcement agency. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.policebriefing.com [https://www.policebriefing.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

From Dispatcher to Chief: Leading Through the Unthinkable with Chief Stephen Redfearn

In this episode, Chief Stephen Redfearn of the Boulder Police Department joins the podcast to reflect on a remarkable law enforcement career that began as a teenage dispatcher and evolved into leading one of the nation’s most closely watched departments. Chief Redfearn shares firsthand insights from responding to landmark tragedies such as Columbine, the Aurora theater shooting, and more recent acts of mass violence, including the Pearl Street terror attack in Boulder. He talks about how those experiences have shaped him, the impact on officer wellness, and the importance of community trust. The conversation also explores Boulder’s innovative use of technology and AI—from AI report writing to drones and the use of transparency dashboards—and why, even in an era of rapid technological change, policing remains a deeply human profession. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.policebriefing.com [https://www.policebriefing.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Protecting the Vulnerable and Running to Us for Help with Chief Doreen Jokerst

In this episode, host Mike Wagers sits down with Overland Park (KS) Police Chief Doreen Jokerst for a wide-ranging conversation on police leadership, community trust, and the future of public safety. Chief Jokerst shares her philosophy of “protecting the vulnerable from harm” and ensuring communities run to police for help, not away from them, while reflecting on her leadership journey from the University of Colorado to one of Kansas’s largest cities. The discussion explores The Curve nonprofit, lessons learned from managing high-profile events like Coach Deion Sanders’ arrival at CU and preparations for the World Cup, and how curiosity, innovation, and even failure play a critical role in evolving policing. Chief Jokerst also offers thoughtful insights on mentorship, organizational culture, and the responsible use of technology and AI in law enforcement. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.policebriefing.com [https://www.policebriefing.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]