PoliceTrainingHQ - Episode 12 - You Took the Class—Now What?

PoliceTrainingHQ - Episode 15 - Blueprints from Blue to Gold: Anthony Bandiero Joins Police Training HQ

In this episode of the Police Training HQ Podcast, Mike Hughes and Walt Bauer sit down with one of the most respected legal instructors in law enforcement—Anthony Bandiero, attorney, former police sergeant, and founder of Blue to Gold Training. With over 70,000 officers and 7,000 attorneys trained, Anthony shares his journey from growing up in the projects of Las Vegas to becoming a nationally recognized legal trainer. The conversation dives deep into: * The flaws in how search and seizure is traditionally taught in police academies. * Why depth of knowledge—and passion—matter more than ever. * The biggest misconceptions (and urban legends) in modern policing. * How to create better trainers through instructor certification. * Why scenario-based reps and decision-making frameworks build long-term retention. Whether you're a new recruit, veteran FTO, or academy director, this episode offers clear, candid insights into raising the legal IQ of our profession—without killing the passion for the job.

PoliceTrainingHQ - Episode 14 - Tactics That Work: SafeWrap

In this special episode of the Police Training HQ Podcast, we’re on the road in Corpus Christi, Texas, where I had the opportunity to attend the SafeWrap Instructor Course—a hands-on, reality-based control tactics program built for today’s law enforcement challenges. I sat down after Day 1 with Charlie Fernandez and Bernardo Figueiredo, two of the instructors leading the course. We talked about the evolution of defensive tactics, why simplicity matters under stress, and how SafeWrap fits into the bigger picture of officer safety, public trust, and effective policing. We also touch on the value of Gracie Survival Tactics (GST), how officers can train smarter—not just harder—and what agencies should be doing to prepare their people for real-world control situations. Big thanks to Sam Mitchell of the Corpus Christi Police Department for hosting us in their outstanding training facility, and to Chris Ellison from the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice for coordinating the course. Whether you're a field officer, trainer, or agency leader, this is a conversation worth listening to. Learn more at: safewrapsystem.com [www.safewrapsystem.com] gracieuniversity.com/gst [gracieuniversity.com/gst] #SafeWrap #GracieSurvivalTactics #GST #PoliceTrainingHQ #LawEnforcementTraining #ControlTactics #JiuJitsuForCops #CorpusChristiPolice #ChrisEllison #TDJJ #DefensiveTactics #PolicePodcast #TrainReal #RealWorldTraining #PoliceInstructor

PoliceTrainingHQ - Episode 13 - Time with an ACE: Malcolm Jackson on Leadership, Legacy, and Raising the Bar in Public Safety

In this episode, Mike and Walt sit down with Malcolm Jackson—a law enforcement and public safety leader with over 40 years of experience. Malcolm shares powerful reflections on how academy training has evolved since the 1970s, what great leadership looks like in public service, and how professionalism, ethics, and high standards are still the cornerstone of good policing. From his time leading Tarrant County College’s academy—recognized statewide as a model program—to serving as a TCOLE Academy Contract Evaluator (ACE), Malcolm offers lessons every officer, trainer, and leader should hear. We talk legacy, standards, training, hiring, and what the next generation needs to succeed. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re shaping the future of law enforcement, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

PoliceTrainingHQ - Episode 12 - You Took the Class—Now What?

In this episode, Mike and Walt break down a hard truth in law enforcement training: just because you took a high-quality class doesn’t mean you learned anything useful—at least not for long. They discuss well-known programs like Force Science, Blue to Gold, and Street Cop Training, and why even the best content fades fast if officers don’t actively engage with it after the fact. Learn practical ways to turn training into long-term retention and useful field performance, including: * Teaching takeaways to others * Rewriting reports using new articulation methods * Scheduling spaced recall for memory * Creating your own checklists and reference tools * Sharing insights in roll call or FTO If you’re serious about making training stick—and turning “great info” into actual field performance—this episode gives you the roadmap. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Notes from the Episode How to Make Training Stick Retain it Write a summary or teach it to someone else Do this within 1–2 days Apply it Run a scenario, update a report, or debrief a real incident Do this within 7 days Reinforce it Set calendar reminders to review and quiz yourself Do this between 1 week and 3 months Use it in the field Add checklists, templates, or quick notes to your gear Do this ongoing Normalize it Discuss key takeaways in roll call, FTO, or team meetings Do this weekly or monthly Reflect on it Ask yourself what’s changed in your mindset or behavior Do this within 1–2 weeks #PolicePodcast #TCOLE #PoliceTraining #RetentionTools #OfficerDevelopment #PoliceAcademy #UseOfForceTraining

PoliceTrainingHQ - Episode 11 - Lessons From The 10 Minute Trainer

In this episode, Walt Bauer and Mike Hughes go full nerd (their words) to unpack powerful takeaways from The 10-Minute Trainer by Sharon Bowman—a book that’s transformed the way they teach police recruits and instructors. They break down: * Why attention span isn’t just a student problem—it’s a brain issue * How to use teach-backs, memory palaces, and ticket-out-the-door strategies for lasting retention * The science behind intentional focus and why it fades fast * How breaking instruction into chunks can increase learning without sacrificing depth * Real classroom examples from use-of-force, search and seizure, and constitutional law training * Why instructors must earn attention, not demand it They also introduce the idea of “cognitive investment”—when students are not just listening but mentally engaged in ways that improve recall and decision-making under pressure. Mentioned in this episode: The 10-Minute Trainer by Sharon Bowman (not affiliated, just a great resource): 🔗 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0787996629 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0787996629] Want to see this material applied to police training? Check out the Police Trainers’ Playbook, a short, low-cost reference filled with 40 use examples: 🔗 https://www.policetraininghq.com/shop [https://www.policetraininghq.com/shop] From nerding out over myelination to testing smarter—not harder—this episode is packed with tools you can use immediately. 🎧 Listen now. Apply today. Train smart.