The Blue Way

Confronting Trauma in Law Enforcement and Beyond: A Cop's Journey Through PTSD

Keith Banks, a former Australian police officer and tacticaloperative, shares his gripping journey through trauma, PTSD, and recovery. He recounts harrowing experiences from his law enforcement career, including a deadly shootout that profoundly impacted his life. Keith discusses his struggles with mental health, career transitions, and eventual path to healing. He emphasises the importance of authenticity and open dialogue about mentalhealth issues, particularly among first responders and veterans. The conversation touches on his participation in reality TV show, The Traitors Australia, and his current work as a public speaker and mental health advocate.Keith's story offers powerful insights into resilience, the long-term effects of trauma, and the transformative power of vulnerability and support. For more information visit: https://www.cluarantonn.com/the-blue-way/keithbanks To find out more about Keith Banks visit: https://keithbanks.com.au/ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro: Raid on offender's house 11:19 Leaving tactical operations and career impact 17:39 Challenging authority and career transition 22:54 Corporate speaking and helping others 28:27 Experience on reality TV show 'Traitors' 33:50 Upcoming crime documentary and mental health advocacy CREDITS Host - Dawn Guest - Keith Banks - ⁠⁠⁠https://keithbanks.com.au/⁠⁠⁠ [https://keithbanks.com.au/] SOCIAL LINKS Website⁠⁠⁠https://www.cluarantonn.com/theblueway⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.cluarantonn.com/theblueway] Instagram⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebluewaypodcast⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thebluewaypodcast] TikTok⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bluewaypodcast⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@bluewaypodcast] RESOURCES For all credits and sources, please visit ⁠⁠⁠https://cluarantonn.com/theblueway⁠ [https://cluarantonn.com/theblueway]

Undercover and Unprotected: My Dangerous Life Infiltrating Drug Cartels

Keith Banks, a former undercover police officer, shares gripping stories from his career in law enforcement. He discusses his journey from a young, idealistic recruit to a seasoned detective, including harrowing experiences in undercover work and tactical operations. Keith offers candid insights into the psychological toll of policing, the complexities of drug enforcement, and the ethical challenges faced by officers. He reflects on the impact of corruption within the force and how his experiences shaped his views on drug policy and criminal justice reform. Keith's narrative provides a raw, unfiltered look at the realities of police work, challenging conventional perceptions of law enforcement. For more information visit: https://www.cluarantonn.com/the-blue-way/keithbanks To find out more about Keith Banks visit: https://keithbanks.com.au/ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro: First assignment as a police officer 5:49 Dangerous encounter with armed suspect 11:16 Undercover work and the heroin trade 18:41 Reflections on impact of undercover operations 25:05 Transition to emergency squad and counterterrorism 32:10 Corrupt offer and transfer to suburban CIB 38:01 Training with SAS for counter-terrorist operations 43:41 Planning high-risk raid without proper equipment CREDITS Host - Dawn Guest - Keith Banks - ⁠⁠https://keithbanks.com.au/⁠⁠ [https://keithbanks.com.au/] SOCIAL LINKS Website⁠⁠https://www.cluarantonn.com/theblueway⁠⁠ [https://www.cluarantonn.com/theblueway] Instagram⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebluewaypodcast⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thebluewaypodcast] TikTok⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bluewaypodcast⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@bluewaypodcast] RESOURCES For all credits and sources, please visit ⁠⁠https://cluarantonn.com/theblueway⁠ [https://cluarantonn.com/theblueway]

30 Years of Undiagnosed PTSD: The Untold Story

Former undercover cop Keith Banks reveals his gripping journey from a troubled childhood to the dangerous world of law enforcement. With raw honesty, he exposes the emotional toll of police work, battling undiagnosed PTSD for decades. Keith shares heart-stopping moments, from facing down a shotgun to losing a friend in a gunfight, offering a rare glimpse into the hidden struggles of those who protect us. Keith's story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of confronting one's demons. From the academy's brutal training to the streets' harsh realities, Keith's tale is a rollercoaster of danger, humour, and ultimately, healing. For more information visit: https://www.cluarantonn.com/the-blue-way/keithbanks To find out more about Keith Banks visit: https://keithbanks.com.au/ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro: Writing a book to explain past behaviour 5:31 Unexpected journey to becoming a published author 10:41 Breakthrough moment: Diagnosis and attitude shift 15:23 Overcoming guilt and finding affirmation 18:59 Challenging childhood and domestic abuse 24:05 Experiences at the police academy 28:27 Confronting a past bully years later 32:15 Family relationships and personal loss CREDITS Host - Dawn Guest - Keith Banks - ⁠https://keithbanks.com.au/⁠ [https://keithbanks.com.au/] SOCIAL LINKS Website⁠https://www.cluarantonn.com/theblueway⁠ [https://www.cluarantonn.com/theblueway] Instagram⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebluewaypodcast⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thebluewaypodcast] TikTok⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bluewaypodcast⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@bluewaypodcast] RESOURCES For all credits and sources, please visit ⁠https://cluarantonn.com/theblueway⁠ [https://cluarantonn.com/theblueway]

S1 E5 From FBI Agent to Advocate for Change: Katherine Schweit's Mission to Stop the Killing

In this episode, Katherine Schweit, a retired FBI agent, shares her journey from journalism to law enforcement, highlighting her 20-year career with the FBI. She discusses her transition from a prosecutor in Chicago to an FBI agent, detailing the rigorous training and diverse cases she handled, including national security and terrorism. Katherine reflects on the impact of the September 11 attacks on her career and her subsequent role in Washington, DC. She explores her work post-retirement, focusing on reducing gun violence and mass shootings, and her involvement in creating the "Stop the Killing" podcast. Katherine emphasises the importance of ethics in law enforcement and the need for public awareness and reporting of suspicious behaviours to prevent violence. Her dedication to advocacy and education continues as she writes books and consults on security issues, aiming to make a significant impact on public safety. For more information visit: https://www.cluarantonn.com/the-blue-way/katherineschweit To find out more about Katherine Schweit visit: https://www.katherineschweit.com/ [https://www.katherineschweit.com/] TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:22 Introduction and Early Life of Katherine Schweit 00:03:04 Joining the FBI and Training Process 00:05:15 Importance of Ethics in FBI Training 00:08:47 Variability in Law Enforcement Training Across the US 00:11:05 Working with Different Law Enforcement Agencies 00:13:21 Transition from Prosecutor to FBI Agent 00:17:32 Initial FBI Assignments and Responsibilities 00:20:10 Impact of September 11 on Career 00:22:58 Balancing Family Life with FBI Duties 00:27:47 Equipment and Safety Measures as an FBI Agent 00:32:32 Response to Sandy Hook and Federal Initiatives 00:39:18 Dissemination of Safety Protocols to Schools and Businesses 00:43:26 Transition to Post-FBI Career and Writing 00:49:04 Launching the "Stop the Killing" Podcast 00:53:04 Importance of Public Awareness and Reporting 00:56:39 Future Plans and Continuing Advocacy 1:00:09 Impact of the Podcast on Preventing School Shootings

S1 E4 Comparing UK and US Police Work: Tales from the Force

In this episode, two retired police officers from the US and the UK, Anthony McNeil and Steven Keogh, share their experiences and perspectives on the evolution of policing over the past few decades. They discuss the impact of technology, social media, and politics on the profession, contrasting their early days on the force with the current environment. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by modern officers, the importance of communication skills, and the differences in policing practices between the two countries. They also share personal anecdotes, including their children's involvement in law enforcement and the changing societal attitudes towards police work. For more information visit: https://www.cluarantonn.com/the-blue-way/anthonyandstevenpartfour If you'd like to find out more about Anthony and Steven visit; ⁠⁠Anthony McNeil⁠⁠ - The Off Duty Podcast - Law Enforcement - Humanizing the Badge (https://www.theoffdutypodcast.com/) ⁠⁠Steven Keogh⁠ - Free Course — stevenkeogh.com (stevekeogh.com) (https://stevekeogh.com/courses) TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 11:03 Use of Body Cameras in Law Enforcement 12:47 Approach to Deadly Force in Law Enforcement 14:09 Different Approaches to Law Enforcement 20:34 Experience as a Detective 23:33 Impact of Changes in Police Procedures 25:37 Stories about Children's Career Choices 26:38 Changes in Policing Profession 30:06 Gun Laws in the UK