In this episode, I will be discussing "The Thin Blue Line" flag and the controversy surrounding its symbolism.

There is a war raging in the liberal media regarding the appropriateness of the Thin Blue Line flag and its associative symbolism. Police detractors are unsupportive of our use of the flag and allege it represents repression and divisiveness, but I'm afraid I have to disagree.

To these detractors, nothing short of complete eradication of any symbology representing our solidarity will satisfy their lust to drive a wedge between law enforcement and our communities.

You or your agency may have already faced this issue, but if you have not, you need to know the flag's historical background to explain it to others.

Where did "The Thin Blue Line" originate, its historical representation in law enforcement, and what does it currently represent? How should line-level officers feel when their leadership removes any reference to The Thin Blue Line from the agency?

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Podcast Index

00:35-01:49 What is The Thin Blue Line

01:49-02:33 Origins of The Thin Blue Line

02:34-03:05 N.D. Anderson Poem

03:06-04:01 First References in Law Enforcement

05:34-06:43 Support or Lack Thereof

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Law Enforcement Guru Podcast, where you will find actionable advice, tips, techniques, and strategies to prepare you for your law enforcement career. In this episode, we will discuss the importance of understanding and embracing the tenents of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. 

AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice.

I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I WILL never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I WILL RECOGNIZE the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held as long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God1 to my chosen profession…LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Download a PDF copy of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. 

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My guest in this episode is Ken Emerson from Five-O Careers at www.fiveocareers.com. Ken spent four years as an Infantryman with the 3rd BN 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division. Ken's duties included: M113 Driver, M60 Gunner, Company Commanders Driver, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunner, Assistant Squad Leader. Ken left the service as a Sergeant E-5.

Following his military service, Ken retired as Arizona State Trooper after having served the state and Arizona communities for 20 years. His duties included: Highway Patrolman, Gang Unit Detective, Bomb Technician, and SWAT Team Breacher.

Ken specializes in assisting veterans with the law enforcement hiring process. Ken can assist Active Duty Military and Veterans, Police Officers, Firefighter and Dept. of Corrections Officers with cash rebates or discount incentive when buying or selling a home.

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Podcast Index

00:35 Ken Emerson from FIve-0 Careers

02:10 How Ken Became an AZ State Trooper

03:10 The AZ Department of Public Safety Testing Process

18:12 Separating From the Military

19:56 Veteran Employment Assistance is Available

Hello everyone. Welcome to Episode 4 of the Law Enforcement Guru Podcast, where you will find actionable advice on how to accomplish your goal of becoming a law enforcement officer. Visit LawEnforcementGuru.com for additional resources and connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. As always, subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app. 

There is no singular path to a law enforcement career. It's a straight course for some of you, but for others, it's a winding path. It is my goal to provide clarity and assist you with critical career decisions. I didn't wish Episode 1 to be all about me, but at some point, I know you would have asked yourself, "Who is this guy doing this podcast?" 

I retired in 2012 from the Santa Ana Police Department in Southern California after 30 years of service. I rose through the ranks from an officer, corporal, sergeant, commander, and ultimately deputy chief. The most important thing about my journey is I started precisely where most of you are at this very moment – as a civilian applying for a job as a peace officer. 

Please listen to this episode to hear the rest of my journey.

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00:00 Every Cop Has a Story

02:00 My Law Enforcement Journey

04:00 From College to Police Academy

05:52 The Academy Begins

09:00 I Finally Was Hired

A Ride-Along is a department program that allows individuals to ride a shift with an officer on patrol. The program's original purpose was to permit community members to observe the police department's day-to-day activities. Even if you have yet to apply for an agency and are merely contemplating a career, you should ask your local agency if they have a Ride-Along program. 

Each agency will have specific eligibility requirements, such as age restrictions and passing a brief background investigation. Age requirements could be at least 14, 16, or 18, or 21 years old, and many require you to be a student or an applicant who has passed the Physical Agility Test and written test for their agency. So check to make sure you meet the minimum requirements before applying. You will typically find these on their website, but call the agency's recruiter when in doubt. 

 Even if you had been on Ride-Alongs with other agencies, you need to go on one with the agency where you applied. Responding to a wide variety of calls with an active officer is the closest you will get to actually understanding the type of work you will encounter as an officer. The fact you went on the Ride-Along will demonstrate you are serious about the process, and you may be able to weave the experience into at least one answer during the interview. 

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00:37 Why Go on a Ride-Along?

02:30 Ride Along Minimum Requirements

04:21 Are Ride Alongs Dangerous?

06:27 Ride Along Do's & Don'ts

09:00 Your Opportunity to Ask Questions

Welcome to Episode 002 of the Law Enforcement Guru Podcast, where I will provide you the tips, tactics, and techniques to help you achieve your goal of becoming a law enforcement officer. 

I am your host, Retired Deputy Chief Tony Levatino, and I want to thank you for joining me today; and I know you will find this episode valuable. We will be talking about how to answer the fundamental question, "Why do you want to be a law enforcement officer?" or the variation, "Why do you want to work for our agency?"

We will outline the "Three-Part Response" comprised of a beginning, middle, and end.

The beginning would be when your first spark of interest in a law enforcement career occurred. It is an opportunity to tell the panel why you are there in the first place. For some of you, maybe a relative, acquaintance, an officer who did a presentation at your school, or even this podcast was the first exposure you had to law enforcement. Perhaps you were in the military, and others talked about what they were going to do post-discharge, which inspired you. Remember, the beginning is about the spark that kindled the flame.

The middle portion of your response is when you throw some smaller sticks onto the kindling to turn the spark into a flame. Here you explain to the board the actions you took after identifying your interest in law enforcement. You may have researched the profession online, went on a Ride-Along, or even applied to an agency. It should be the actions you took that solidified your resolve to move forward towards your career goal.

If you were in the military, you could talk about how you see law enforcement as an extension of your service and the opportunity to work in a team environment towards a common goal. 

The end of your response is where you tie the beginning and middle to your conclusion, which is why you want to work for their agency specifically. 

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Welcome to episode #1 of the Law Enforcement Guru Podcast, where I inspire, motivate, educate and prepare you to survive the rigors of the law enforcement selection process and become the best possible candidate you can be. 

I am your host, retired Deputy Chief Tony Levatino, and my mission is to help you get the law enforcement job of your dreams. Make sure you check out our show notes and head on over to my website at “LawEnforcementGuru.com,” where you will find several helpful guides and blogs to start you on your journey. Also, join my Law Enforcement Guru Private Facebook Page for the latest updates and podcast releases, and don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app.

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Welcome future peace officers to the Law Enforcement Guru Podcast, where I’ll provide actionable advice and guidance to get you hired by a police agency and prepare you to survive the police application and selection process.

I am your host Tony Levatino, and during my 30-year police career, I mentored hundreds of individuals through all phases of the process, and I am here to help you get the job of your dreams. 

Each week I will be providing tips, techniques, and tactics to help you prepare, in addition to conducting in-depth interviews with recruiters, background investigators, polygraph examiners, and oral board members who will tell you exactly what they are looking for in a police applicant. 

Along the way, we will be talking with law enforcement professionals from various agencies about their careers and provide valuable insights about the opportunities available to you. 

So please take a second and subscribe to the Law Enforcement Guru Podcast on Apple iTunes or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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