Breaking the Silence on Police Mental Health, Leadership, and Family Resilience

Hosts:

• Dr. Ashlee Gethner, LCSW – Child of a Police Officer

• Jennifer Woosley Saylor, LPCC – Child of a Cop

Special Guest:

• Tom Rizzo – Law Enforcement Leader, Author, College Professor, Cohost of On Patrol Live

In this powerful episode, Ashlee and Jennifer sit down with Tom Rizzo—law enforcement veteran, motivational speaker, author, and father of four—to explore the realities of mental health in policing, the challenges around authentic leadership, and the impacts of the profession on officers’ families. Drawing on over two decades of experience, Tom delves into organizational culture, the importance of compassion within departments, and the journey toward personal and collective wellness.

Key Topics:

• Guest Introduction: Tom Rizzo shares his background: 24 years in law enforcement, motivational speaking, hosting On Patrol Live, and teaching as a college professor. Above all, his proudest role is being a dedicated father.

• The Four Walls vs. Four Corners: Tom introduces his perspective on the dangers of organizations obsessing over their public image ("four corners") while neglecting the internal health and relationships ("four walls"—including officers’ mental states).

• Mental Health in Policing: Tom emphasizes the need for honesty about what truly causes stress: not always the danger on the streets, but the toxic organizational environments and lack of genuine support from leadership.

• Leadership & Accountability: A candid discussion about how mission statements have been hijacked by politics and bureaucracy, and why transparency, humility, and resourcefulness make for better leaders.

• Peer Support & Trust: Ashlee explores the challenges of building trust between peer support teams and leadership. Tom spotlights the importance of administrative honesty in supporting mental health initiatives.

• The Ripple Effect on Families: Tom, Ashlee, and Jennifer reflect on the ways the job impacts officers’ families and the generational ripple, stressing clear communication and including loved ones in major professional decisions.

• A Call to Action: Tom urges listeners—especially those supporting law enforcement—to push for common sense, empathy, and advocacy, both in the workplace and in the community.

If this episode resonated with you or if you have stories to share about living with a first responder, reach out to Ashlee and Jennifer on their social media platforms!

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