The Debrief with Jon Becker

Michael Lumpkin, a Navy SEAL Captain and former Assistant Secretary of Defense, discusses his unique perspective on leadership, training, and accountability in organizations. Topics include the importance of maintaining high standards in training, the role of civilian oversight in the military, and lessons learned from the tragic shootdown of a helicopter. Lumpkin also shares insights on teamwork during military operations and the challenges of transitioning from the military to the private sector.

Today’s episode of The Debrief  features a unique format: this episode was recorded live at the National Tactical Officers Association Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado. I was fortunate to moderate a panel discussion that included the presidents of five separate tactical associations including: Brent Straton from the California Association of Tactical Officers, Chris Eklund from the Florida SWAT Association, Thor Eells from the National Tactical Officers Association, Nick Sprague from the Rocky Mountain Tactical Teams Association and Dan Colasanto from the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association.  This was a wide-ranging discussion that covered a number of current topics in special tactics including: Constitutional Policing, Militarization of law enforcement, SWAT standards, no-knock warrants, and the use of dynamic tactics in search warrants.  The contrast between the different regional and national perspectives on these issues made for a great conversation.  I’d like to thank the NTOA, CATO, Florida SWAT, RMTTA, and TTPOA for their willingness to share this discussion with our audience. A note regarding audio quality: this episode was recorded live, in a large group setting, at the NTOA conference. We have done our best to reduce most, but not all, of the background noise. It is our hope that you find this content informative and thought-provoking despite these distractions. Important Links:CATO - Home | CATO (catotraining.org)Florida SWAT Association - Home (memberclicks.net) NTOA - NTOA | National Tactical Officers AssociationRMTTA - Rocky Mountain Tactical Team Association (rmtta.com)TTPOA - TTPOA

In June of 2018, just two years after the PULS nightclub attacks, Orlando Police officers responded to a domestic violence call. As officers attempted to contact the suspect, he fired a shot though his door striking Officer Kevin Valencia with wounds that he would eventually succumb to.  The suspect then barricaded in his apartment with his 4 children as hostages.  This event, which would last more than 24 hours, proved extremely difficult and required the resources of both the Orlando Police Department SWAT Team and their partners from the Orange County Sherriff’s SWAT Team before finally reaching a tragic resolution. My guests today are Dep. Chief Jonathan Bigelow from the Orlando Police Department and Sgt. Chris Eklund with the Orange County Florida Sherriff’s Office to discuss the incident and share their lessons learned. This episode will be dedicated to the memory of Officer Kevin Valencia.Books RecommendedThe Common Sense Way: A New Way to Think About Leading and Organizing – Pete Blaber ISBN-13: 978-0578876740Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't – Simon Sinek - ISBN-13: 978-1591848011Sound Doctrine: A Tactical Primer – Charles Sid Heal - ISBN-13: 978-1930051119The World's Most Powerful Leadership Principle - How To Become A Servant Leader - James C. Hunter - ISBN-13:‎ 978-1578569755Leader Shift- The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace - John C. Maxwell - ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0718098506Contact InfoDep. Chief Jonathan Bigelow – OPD - Special Service Bureau – Jonathan.Bigelow@cityoforlando.netSgt. Chris Eklund – OCSO SWAT - chriseklund2@gmail.com

On July 2, 2020 patrol officers attempted to contact a suspect about moving an illegally parked automobile at the Three Rivers Mobile Home Park in Hastings, MN. As officers spoke to the suspect’s wife and two of his four children the suspect locked and barricaded the door to his trailer with his other two children inside. Over the course of the next 15 hours, in sweltering heat, the South Metro SWAT Team, in conjunction with Washington County SWAT, and Ramsey County SWAT, attempted to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the crisis as the suspects mental state deteriorated. Although they were able to obtain one of the two children, it started to become clear that a tactical intervention would be necessary. My guests today are Adam Tschida, Daniel Salmey, and Jeff Hanson from South Metro SWAT to discuss the case, their successful HRT intervention, and the lessons learned from a very challenging rescue. About South Metro SWATSouth Metro SWAT provides tactical coverage for thirteen different law enforcement agencies in Minnesota. The team’s service area spans roughly 1000 square miles south of the Twin Cities and is home to approximately 380,000 residents. The team has roughly 50 members. 35 tactical members including: commander, assistant commander, team leaders, snipers, breachers, medics, K9, etc. 15 crisis negotiations team members included: assistant commander, team leader, sworn LE, licensed mental health personnel. Core competencies include: hostage rescue, high risk warrant service, barricaded suspect/subject operations, dignitary protection, public order operations, man tracking operations, vehicle suppression, and community event security/quick reaction force.Books RecommendedLincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times - Donald T. Phillips – ISBN: 9780446394598Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know - Adam M. Grant – ISBN: 9781984878106Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead - Jim Mattis & Bing West – ISBN: 9780812996838The Dichotomy of Leadership: Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win - Jocko Willink & Leif Babin – ISBN: 9781250195777Contact InfoAdam Tschida - Adam.tschida@applevalleymn.govDaniel Salmey - dsalmey@southstpaul.org  

My Guest today is a true legend who is one of only three people to have served at all of the roles in LAPD D-Platoon: Chief Mike Albanese. Mike has spent 52 years in law enforcement with 37 of those spent at LAPD, 26 of which was spent in SWAT and Crisis Negotiation. Mike is one of only a handful of people to have ever served in the 10 David or SWAT commander role at LAPD. Since retiring from LAPD he has served as a Captain, Deputy Chief and is currently the Chief of Police for the Burbank California Police Department. This is two-part series where we walk through not only his amazing career at LAPD, but the evolution and history of special tactics, the creation of Crisis Negotiation as a discipline, and the lessons learned from a lifetime of service.Books RecommendedThe Situational Leader - Paul Hersey – ISBN: 0931619017If You Give a Mouse a Cookie - Laura Numeroff, Felicia Bond – ISBN: 9780064434096

Chief Mike Albanese, retired LAPD officer with 37 years in law enforcement and 26 years in SWAT and Crisis Negotiation, discusses the evolution of SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Teams, including the origins of hostage rescue teams and preparations for the 1984 Summer Games in LA. He also shares stories about officers borrowing guns, challenges faced by the SWAT team, a training accident at Camp Pendleton, and leadership and training lessons learned in law enforcement.

Dr. Kevin Menes, an emergency room physician and tactical team doctor, shares his firsthand experiences and lessons learned from the active sniper attack in Las Vegas. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and training for all responding organizations. The podcast discusses the critical role of trauma surgeons in saving lives, the challenges faced during a mass casualty incident, and the process of treating gunshot wounds to extremities. Dr. Menes highlights the need for efficient communication, clear categorization of patients, and continuous preparation in handling such incidents.

My guest today is Tom Satterly.  Tom is a highly decorated combat veteran, having served in the Army 25 years, with the last 20 in the US Army’s most elite Tier One unit, Delta. During his career Tom was involved in, and led, some of our nation’s most important military campaigns including the Battle in Mogadishu portrayed in the film Blackhawk Down and the capture of Saddam Hussein. Tom is the recipient of numerous medals including a Silver Star, and 4 Bronze Stars, with 1 for Valorous acts.  He was also the first American to ever attend Germany’s Ranger School.  Tom retired from Delta in 2010 as a Command Sergeant Major.Tom’s willingness to speak openly and honestly of his mental and emotional struggles have saved the lives of countless other warriors who believed they had to suffer in silence and make it alone or not at all. Today, Tom and his wife and partner, Jen are the co-Founders and co-CEOs of All Secure Foundation, a non-profit organization serving Special Operation warriors and their families to help reconnect and heal. Tom’s best-selling book, “All Secure: A Special Operations Soldier’s Fight to Survive on the Battlefield and the Homefront”, was released on November 5, 2019 and is available at all major booksellers. Books RecommendedThe Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk - ISBN-13:‎ 978-0670785933All Secure: A Special Operations Soldier's Fight to Survive on the Battlefield and the Homefront by Tom Satterly and Steve Jackson - ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1546076575Sites Recommendedwww.allsecurefoundation.org Contact InfoInstagram: @TomSatterly 

Chief John Perez, retired Chief of Police for the Pasadena California Police Department talks about building resilience in employees, creating resilience in the workforce, resilience in individuals and institutions, building resilience in an unpredictable job, and building resilience in those you lead. Topics include stress inoculation, impact of socio-economic conditions on resilience, adapting use of force training, leadership, trust, cooperation, purpose and passion, engaging with the community, and maintaining positive habits and mindset.

My guest today is a legend in the US tactical community Chief Phil Hansen. Phil recently retired after serving as the Chief of Police for the Santa Maria California Police Department. But prior to Santa Maria Phil retired as a Captain from the Los Angeles Country Sherriff’s Department where he served for 36 years. During his tenure at LASD he spent more than 24 years in full time tactical and emergency management positions, including nearly 20 years at the elite Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB). Phil has served as a board member of the National Tactical Officers Association since 1991 including serving as the Chairman of the Board. He is a member of the executive committee for the California POST SWAT guidelines, and has served as a board of inquiry member for LAPD and Oakland PD. Contact Info Cell # (805) 994-9051Email: pchansen@live.comBooks RecommendedContrarians Guide to Leadership - Steven B. Sample and Warren Bennis – ISBN: 978-0787967079Going Pro, The Deliberate Practice of Professionalism - Tony Kern, Pygmy Books Publishing – ISBN: 978-0984206315Leading Change: The Argument for Values-Based Leadership – James O’Toole – ISBN: 978-0345402547Passion of Command: The Moral Imperative of Leadership – Col. Bryan McCoy – ISBN: 978-0940328372