First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke
"First Response," is an interview series hosted by PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke. This series aims to shine a spotlight on the thought leaders within the public safety industry and provide a platform for these individuals to share their experiences, insights, and the valuable lessons they've learned through their careers in law enforcement.
Episodes
The sirens fade and the real work begins. That’s where Kristen Neubauer, former captain and investigator with the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, takes us. Into the spaces where competence erodes bias, where leaders guard their team’s energy like a scarce resource, and where evidence, not instinct, carries the truth across the finish line. From being the only woman in her academy to leading complex investigations, she shares ...
A flood isn’t just water. It’s noise, darkness, panic, a moving car you can’t predict, and a victim who might fight the person trying to help. That’s why we brought on Barton Bollfrass, a Navy EOD diver turned technologist, who builds training environments and tools that mirror the chaos without the body count. Barton walks us through Fathom Tanks, the physical simulator that puts first responders into rushing water around real veh...
In this debut episode, PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke speaks with former Air Force captain and Walnut Creek Police Sergeant (ret.) Michael Sugrue, author of Relentless Courage, a book that chronicles his personal battle with mental health challenges that peaked after he had to use lethal force. Sugrue talks about the invisible toll of daily trauma on first responders and explains why “post-traumatic stress injury” (PTSI) is a more ac...
The front line is loud, but the mindset behind it is louder. Chief Scott Hughes joins us to unpack the lived reality of hypervigilance, why officers won’t sit with their backs to the door, and what constant scanning does to stress, health, and family life. From there, we dig into an uncomfortable truth: we expect “major league” perfection from police while funding “T-ball” training. Hughes argues for a new model built on daily fund...
What does policing look like beyond the dramatized TV portrayals and sensationalized headlines? In this illuminating conversation with retired Chief Doug Shoemaker, we uncover the profound realities of modern law enforcement leadership and the extraordinary psychological burden carried by those who wear the badge.
Chief Shoemaker brings 33 years of frontline experience to this discussion, including his roles as Chief of Po...
What does it mean to carry five generations of law enforcement legacy? Ken Wallentine, the Chief of the West Jordan (Utah) Police Department, takes us on a remarkable journey through 150 years of family policing history—from his great-great-great-grandfather who served as a Deputy US Marshal during the Civil War to his daughter who texted "Dad, I'm okay" after a tense armed standoff just yesterday.
Behind the badge li...
When retired Lieutenant Davin Cole reveals that police officers experience three to five traumatic events every month—the equivalent of what most civilians face in an entire lifetime—you begin to understand the monumental mental health challenges behind the badge.
Through raw honesty, Lt. Cole shares his 31-year journey in law enforcement that culminated in addiction, depression, and a desperate act that ended his career. Despite tw...
What makes someone dedicate their life to policing? For Deputy Chief Jim Martin of the Pueblo Police Department, it's about community connection, innovation, and heart. Born and raised in Pueblo with family roots stretching back a century, Martin returned after military service to protect the community he loves – not just as an officer, but as a youth football coach impacting hundreds of kids' lives.
Technology i...
The mental health challenges facing police officers in America's suburban departments deserve just as much attention as those in major metropolitan forces. Deputy Director of Public Safety, Brad Petersen of Minnesota's Cottage Grove Police Department pulls back the curtain on what he describes as an "average" American police agency - not too urban, not too rural, with officers handling just 5-10 calls per shift.
...
Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 13, Bob speaks with David Berez—retired patrol officer, nationally recognized Drug Recognition Expert, and founder of Six4 Consultants.
With more than two decades on the street in East Windsor, New Jersey, David earned multiple service medals while serving as officer-in-charge...
Mike Milstein is an experienced law enforcement professional with a robust background in leadership and public safety. Currently, he plays a pivotal role in addressing critical issues within the law enforcement community, such as drug overdose responses, behavioral health crises, and hate crime prevention. Mike is known for his strategic approach to integrating public health and safety measures, fostering multi-sector collaboration...
Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 12, Bob speaks with David Goldstein—a 25-year law-enforcement veteran whose resume spans the U.S. Marine Corps, the LAPD, the NYPD, and now the Northeastern University Police.
Commended in Los Angeles for rescuing a kidnapping victim, named the NYPD’s 2014 Sergeant of the Year...
Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 10, Bob speaks with Scott Rose, Sheriff of Dodge County, Minnesota and the host and producer of the Officer Down Memorial Podcast.
Sheriff Rose is a 20+ year law enforcement veteran from Minnesota who’s worked in patrol, warrants, investigations, and administration during his c...
Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 9, Bob speaks with Chief Patrick Patton of the Kenosha, WI, Police Department.
Chief Patton entered law enforcement after serving in the United States Marine Corps.He began his career with the City of Kenosha Police Department. From 2006-2022, he held several positions on the ...
Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 8, Bob speaks with Chief Lance Arnold of the Weatherford, TX Police Department.
Since June 2017, Arnold served as the Chief of Police for the Weatherford Police Department, a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas. While serving as Police Chief, he has also served the citizens o...
Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 7, Bob speaks with Chief Kevin Denny of the Channel Islands Nebraska Police Department.
Chief Denny runs an approximately 100 sworn officer agency and articulates the challenges Police Chiefs face in recruiting and training officers. He explores the hurdles to ensuring he an...
Join Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall, in First Response, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the lives and challenges of emergency responders. In Episode 6, Bob Stewart, a seasoned law enforcement executive with over 50 years of experience, discusses the evolution of policing, community engagement, and police accountability. Stewart's rich career spans leadership roles across various police departments and his insights int...
For over 23 years, William Townsell has been a dedicated civilian Assistant Director with the Chicago Police Department's Office of Community Policing. In this role, William oversees crime abatement outreach and engagement initiatives for businesses and landlords, and delivers crime prevention presentations to individuals and community groups. He has also stepped in as acting supervisor for the civilian field operations staff ...
Adam Gardner is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 15 years of experience. Currently, he serves as a Police Corporal in the Professional Standards Division of the City of Leander, Texas. His responsibilities include training and developing both new recruits and seasoned officers, as well as conducting internal affairs investigations.
Adam holds numerous specialized certifications, including TCOLE Firearms In...
Colonel Frank Milstead, a distinguished figure in Arizona law enforcement, has dedicated over 35 years to serving and protecting his community. Beginning his career with the Phoenix Police Department in 1985, Milstead quickly rose through the ranks, gaining extensive experience across various divisions. His leadership capabilities were further recognized when he was appointed Chief of Police for the Mesa Police Department in 2010, ...
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