TIPS: The Innovators of Public Safety

Walter Katz: From Public Defender to Police Reformer—Inside Chicago’s Body‑Cam Rollout, Union Politics, and Getting AI Right

Walter Katz and I discuss the intersection of technology and criminal justice, focusing on police oversight, the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies, and the adoption of new technologies such as body-worn cameras and AI. Walter shared his extensive experience in police reform and oversight, highlighting the importance of trust-building within agencies and the community. We spent some time exploring the slow adoption of technology in policing, the influence of unions, and the potential risks and benefits of AI in law enforcement.

Tommy Joyce: A Storied Career From The Gang Units To The Tech Stack

Summary: Join me for an episode with the unstoppable Tommy Joyce. We talk cars, his early career, and AI. How important is "human in the loop" technology with AI? How are leaders thinking about adoption of AI-tooling? What can we learn from the rollout of LPR 10-years ago and apply to AI? You won't want to miss this one.

Sean Bair: Bootstrapping Bair Analytics

Summary Sean Bair shares his journey from being a reluctant crime analyst to founding Bair Analytics, a company that, until his exit, provided software solutions for public safety. We discussed the challenges of bootstrapping a business, the importance of demos and selling, and the transition to working with the defense sector. Every entrepreneur loves an exit: In Sean's case Bair Analytics was acquired by LexisNexis. We discussed the post-exit changes in his professional life, including his current work focused on improving the health and well-being of public safety personnel. Dive in with me!

Amanda Wood: How Public Safety Gets Funded — And What Lobbyists Really Do

Summary: Federal dollars don’t move themselves. In this episode, Amanda Wood—veteran lobbyist and public safety funding expert—pulls back the curtain on how law enforcement agencies actually win (or lose) in D.C. From the power of relationships with congressional staffers to why earmarks are back in play, Amanda breaks down what it really takes to unlock federal money. We get into how shifting political winds affect public safety funding, what local leaders should understand about the procurement process, and why lobbyists are often the unsung heroes behind breakthrough technology deployments. If you’ve ever wondered how law enforcement tech gets funded—or why it doesn’t—this is the episode for you.

David Thorp: Law Enforcement Innovation, Private Sector Collaboration, and Smarter Policing

Summary: In this conversation, David Thorp and I discuss the evolution and impact of Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCC) in law enforcement. David shares his journey from military signals intelligence to becoming a key figure in RTCCs, emphasizing the importance of technology, collaboration with private sectors, and the challenges of data sharing. We explore the future of policing, the need for innovation, and the significance of hiring the right personnel to adapt to modern technology. And fun, we talk about what fun we're actually having these days.