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This episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service takes you behind the reins of one of policing’s most unique and powerful units. Nikki is joined by Robin Koltusky, Mounted Patrol Team Lead with the Calgary Police Service and AWIPS Civilian of the Year 2025, for a deep dive into what it really takes to run a modern mounted unit.

Robin shares her unconventional path into policing—from a lifetime in horsemanship and entrepreneurship to becoming a civilian subject matter expert within CPS—and how that expertise helped reshape the Mounted Unit’s breeding program, herd assessment, and training standards.

We break down the four operational portfolios of Mounted Patrol—frontline patrol, community engagement, search, and public safety support—plus the intense tactical training horses and officers undergo, including desensitization to crowds, noise, footing, and chaos. If you’ve ever wondered how officers and horses are selected, trained, and deployed when it matters most, this episode delivers.

🐎 Curious about other specialized units and behind-the-scenes roles in public safety?
Check out our related episodes—and don’t forget to tune in to Nikki every Wednesday on the Thin Line Rock Station for more real talk from the front lines.

Garett Martin, Mortgage Broker with The Mortgage Group, our official podcast sponsor for Season 10 and supports other first responders by offering discounted mortgage rates and industry-leading service.
cell: 403.915.1025
email: garett.martin@mortgagegroup.com
web: garettmartinmortgages.com

Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

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Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here!

Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more!
Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com
Blue Line Fitness Testing
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/
LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

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In this solo episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki gets real—no filters, no fluff. Drawing from lived experience, she breaks down 15 hard truths every first responder needs to hear, especially early in their career.

We talk about why keeping your work life and personal life separate actually matters, the reality of “work friends” and situational relationships, and the uncomfortable truth that this job isn’t fair—and never will be. This episode is honest, grounding, and meant to help you navigate the career with clearer eyes and stronger boundaries.

If you’re new to the job, feeling burned out, or just need someone to say the quiet parts out loud—this one’s for you.

🎧 Hit play, then check out our other related episodes for more real talk from the front lines.
📻 And don’t forget to tune in to Nikki every Wednesday on the Thin Line Rock Station for even more unfiltered conversations.

Garett Martin, Mortgage Broker with The Mortgage Group, our official podcast sponsor for Season 10 and supports other first responders by offering discounted mortgage rates and industry-leading service.
cell: 403.915.1025
email: garett.martin@mortgagegroup.com
web: garettmartinmortgages.com

Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

Support the show

Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here!

Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more!
Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com
Blue Line Fitness Testing
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/
LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

Send us a text

In this episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki sits down with Helen Dugdale—psychotherapist, science lover, and soon-to-be two-time author—to dig into the gut-brain connection, sleep, anxiety, and why your nervous system is calling the shots more than you think.

Helen breaks down how sleep deprivation wrecks emotional control, why first responders can’t rely on gut instinct alone, and how mental fitness starts with simple habits: brain dumping before bed, getting your body moving, reinforcing self-worth, and learning to separate emotion from logic when the stakes are high.

We chat about her book Put Insomnia to Sleep, her upcoming release Overcoming Anxiety, and real-world strategies anyone working shifts can start using tonight.

If your sleep, stress, or mental bandwidth is stretched thin, this episode is for you.

Learn more from Helen - https://www.australianbraincoaching.com.au/

helen@australianbraincoaching.com.au

Check out our other wellness-focused episodes on Sirens, Slammers and Service! And if you like what you hear, you can catch Nikki every Wednesday on the Thin Line Rock Station.

Garett Martin, Mortgage Broker with The Mortgage Group, our official podcast sponsor for Season 10 and supports other first responders by offering discounted mortgage rates and industry-leading service.
cell: 403.915.1025
email: garett.martin@mortgagegroup.com
web: garettmartinmortgages.com

Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

Support the show

Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here!

Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more!
Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com
Blue Line Fitness Testing
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/
LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier