In this gripping episode, Patrick Flannelly sits down with Ken Strange Jr., a man whose life reads like a novel—but every word is true. From teaching English in Saudi Arabia to pursuing global fraud cases for the FBI and USAID, Ken's career is a one-of-a-kind journey through geopolitics, counterterrorism, border operations, and personal growth.

Ken recounts his early exposure to terrorism, his encounters with figures like Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, and the intricate work of investigating complex international fraud. He shares wild tales from remote outposts like Sandy Bay, Haiti, and Senegal, where survival sometimes meant turtle meat by candlelight. His work has placed him at the heart of America’s global efforts—from the “House of Death” case in Juarez to overseeing multi-million-dollar investigations across continents.

More than just a memoir of action, Ken’s reflections are rooted in the importance of balance, purpose, and faith—especially for law enforcement officers facing the toll of the job. Patrick and Ken explore the deep connections between service, wellness, and spiritual grounding in one of the most wide-ranging interviews to date.

🧠 Why you should listen:

• Hear how a diverse background can lead to an extraordinary career

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• Learn why balance and belief are essential in high-risk professions

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• Get behind-the-scenes insights on major FBI and USAID operations

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• Explore global issues from the eyes of a seasoned investigator and public servant

In this new episode of The Coptimizer Podcast, Chief Scott Hughes from Hamilton Township, Ohio, joins Patrick Flannelly for an in-depth exploration of modern policing. We dive into critical topics including leadership, officer wellness, technological innovation, and community collaboration. Chief Hughes shares candid insights about transforming police culture, implementing wellness programs, and supporting officers through mental health resources and on-duty workout policies.

Highlights include:

● The importance of storytelling in leadership
● Modernizing policing through technology and training
● Strategies for building trust within law enforcement agencies
● The critical role of mental and physical wellness for police officers
● Collaborative approaches to regional law enforcement challenges

Whether you're a law enforcement professional, community leader, or simply interested in understanding the evolving landscape of policing, this episode offers compelling perspectives on creating positive change in one of America's most challenging professions.
A must-listen for anyone passionate about public safety, leadership, and community service.

In this deeply thoughtful episode of The Coptimizer Podcast, Patrick Flannelly is joined by Erik Hein, a resilience expert and international trainer from the Netherlands, whose journey from hardship to high-performance leadership offers lessons for police professionals everywhere.

Erik opens up about his difficult upbringing — losing his father to cancer, growing up on the streets, and building himself up through martial arts and academic discipline. From these roots, Erik has forged a career in law enforcement training that blends resilience, mental skills, and tactical fitness with a global outlook on modern policing.

Together, Patrick and Erik examine:

• Mental toughness and the “soul over force” philosophy

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• How learned helplessness shows up in policing

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• Lessons from European police academies

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• The U.S. attrition crisis and recruitment gaps

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• How to foster supportive environments that build officer resilience

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• The value of mentorship, wisdom transfer, and lifelong fitness

In this episode of The Coptimizer Podcast, Patrick Flannelly sits down with Pat Heffner, a retired police officer and seasoned instructor for the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, to explore one of the most overlooked aspects of modern policing — resource allocation.

With decades of experience in law enforcement and education, Pat brings a pragmatic and data-driven lens to a topic that often flies under the radar of command staff. Together, we discuss the critical importance of staffing analysis, beat redesign, workload balance, and how failing to properly allocate resources can undermine even the most well-intentioned policing strategies.

Whether you're a chief, a line supervisor, or a community member trying to understand how police services are delivered, this episode offers an honest, practical deep-dive into what it takes to align staffing with service demands — and why it matters more than ever in today’s public safety environment.

🔑 Topics include:

• The fundamentals of police resource allocation

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• Why many departments struggle with staffing analysis

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• Real-world examples from Pat’s work with police agencies

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• How data can drive better decision-making for deployment

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• The connection between morale, burnout, and misaligned staffing

David Riedman is the founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database and a graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School. He conducts research on gun violence in schools and authored multiple peer-reviewed articles on homeland security policy, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency management.

In this episode of The Coptimizer Podcast, I sit down with Chief Mike Diekoff of the Bloomington (IN) Police Department to discuss his department’s innovative approach to mental health response. Chief Diekoff shares how his team collaborates with mental health professionals to handle crisis calls more effectively, ensuring that individuals in need receive the right care while reducing the strain on law enforcement. We dive into the challenges and successes of integrating behavioral health resources into policing and the broader implications for community safety.

But that’s not all—Chief Diekoff isn’t just a leader in public safety; he’s also a hot-air balloon pilot! We shift gears to talk about his passion for aviation, his experiences flying over Bloomington, and the unexpected parallels between navigating the skies and leading a police department.

Join us for an insightful and entertaining conversation that blends the serious and the adventurous in a way only The Coptimizer Podcast can. And stay tuned—I’ll be sharing a video of my own ride in Chief Diekoff’s balloon!

In this episode of The Coptimizer Podcast, host Patrick Flannelly welcomes retired police officer and author David Berez to discuss his transformative journey through over 20 years in law enforcement. David opens up about his challenging upbringing, the pressures of policing in a changing world, and the profound impact of trauma and resilience. Together, they explore stories from his career, his struggles after retirement, and the pivotal moment that led to his inspiring book, A Resilient Life: A Cop's Journey in Pursuit of Purpose. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about vulnerability, growth, and the tools to navigate life’s toughest moments—both on and off duty.

In this episode of The Coptimizer Podcast, I sit down with retired Sergeant Brian Willis, a seasoned law enforcement professional and trainer, to explore critical elements of health, wellness, and performance in policing. Drawing from decades of experience with the Calgary Police Service, Brian dives into why proactive health training early in an officer’s career is crucial to long-term well-being and resilience.

We discuss the limitations of traditional paramilitary training and the need for a more dynamic, contextually relevant approach that integrates fitness, sleep, and mental skills training. Brian introduces the concept of challenge point theory, which emphasizes training officers at the edges of their skills to enhance their learning and performance. We also explore how new technologies like Neurosmart can provide real-time feedback on stress levels, allowing officers to refine their skills under pressure.

This episode is packed with actionable insights and practical advice for law enforcement officers and trainers seeking to elevate their mental, physical, and emotional preparedness.