Blue Grit Radio: Better Cops, Police Leaders, First Responders in Life (Mindset, Wellness, Improvement)

A critical theme in discussion of first responder wellness is resilience. When I look around at folks I work with in my department, it’s hard to find a better example of someone who embodies a resilient spirit than my teammate, Tessa Melville.

Tessa endured a host of critical incidents in the first few years of her policing career, both on and off duty. She was there when we lost Diego, helped care for one of our critically wounded officers, and on a different shift, walked away from an arguably near-fatal collision herself.

Tessa is a proud mother of a ten year old, and worked six years as a patrol officer, which included her role as an FTO, before promoting to the detective unit where she now works Special Assault cases. Prior to LE, Tessa spent five years in the Navy as a Greenside Hospital Corpsman where she received specialized training in traumatic field care.

We talk about her police career and dynamics with finding success as a female in the male-dominated field. Tessa opens up about going through many traumatic events, to include being the victim of sexual assault herself. She proudly praises therapy, EMDR, and spirituality as means to address her struggles with depression and anxiety and continue forward as an example of service to others with GRIT.

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Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

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music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Bad cops in the news. It stings every time. So many men and women put their blood, sweat, and tears out on the line to rep the profession and serve the public. That is in a literal sense. And so, when our police leaders hit the front page with scandal, corruption, nepotism and cronyism, it feels like that much bigger of a gut punch.

In this episode, I'm joined by veteran police leader, retired Capt. William "Bill" Fraass. He has done not only the deep dive in experience, but studying and capturing police leadership history and iconic contemporary examples. We discuss blemishes in leadership- to include one growing worse apparently by the week- and what responsible leaders can and should do to elevate themselves and their people.

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William started his career with the Sausalito (CA) Police Department on May 21, 1996 as 19 year old Reserve Officer. During the following 27 years, William rose through the ranks to Captain with his last active duty assignment being Acting Chief of Police before suffering an injury that led to his medical retirement in 2023.

A progressive law enforcement leader with extensive administrative, patrol, and investigative experience, William served in many diverse assignments. He is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy and has a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice specializing in Law Enforcement Management and Terrorism/Homeland Security.

William is the author of the book Leadership in Law Enforcement: 10 Key Traits and What Law Enforcement Agencies Can Do To Develop These In Future Leaders. William is now the Managing Consultant/Owner of Code 33 Consulting LLC, a consulting group that focuses on providing consulting, training, administrative investigation, and expert witness services to public safety agencies, private businesses, and public/community groups.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

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music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

In this episode, I am pleased to introduce you to former LEO, SWAT cop, and author Joshua Hood. We talk about his entry into the policing career after his military service and the experiences therein.
We connect on the toll and strain he felt in his career, and how he started writing more regularly. There are parallels we experienced and saw in police around us- that absolutely became overarching themes in his new novel, Burn Out.
We talk about the book- which I got a chance to read in advance- which features different first responders at different stages of their careers and prerogatives. Themes of identity, overinvestment, purpose, and calling are central. Beyond that- it’s got smoke jumping forest fire fighters, Feds against Feds, cartel mercenaries, informants, and grizzled Vets... a saga ripe with action!
It was a sincere pleasure and a dynamic conversation for you all- whether you’re a first responder or not!
Joshua Hood joined the army after graduating with an English degree from the University of Memphis and served as a squad leader with the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Afghanistan, where he was decorated for valor in Operation Furious Pursuit.
A former SWAT team member with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department in Memphis, Tennessee, he is a USA Today bestselling author of several books, including Robert Ludlum’s Treadstone series. He lives in Collierville, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Many people credit the military for helping prepare them for their career, or frankly, life itself. John McGlothlin would agree- to the point where he recognized and shares his experiences and insights from his military career - as it translates into prepping him for so many potentials and circumstances.
We discuss his path into the Army and then his academic career from undergrad into law school. The topics we explore go into the depths of the human condition, communication, social and team cultural dynamics and leadership.
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John McGlothlin is a former Army paratrooper who has served across the globe, including in Europe, the Middle East, and after the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He began his career in intelligence before attending law school at the University of Virginia and becoming a JAG officer in the D.C. National Guard.

His writing background includes work as a journalist, speechwriter, and authoring his first book – *How to Deal with Damn Near Anything: The Paratrooper’s Guide to Life*. The book was released by New Degree Press and captures how the hidden side of the military can benefit anyone, with a focus on five key traits and related stories.

John currently lives in Washington D.C. with his wife, the artist MK Bailey. His mission now is to help others develop as the military has helped him.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

The longer I do this job (and this thing I call life), I realize that although I learn more and more, I also learn that there is more and more that I don’t know. My guest in this episode is someone I’m excited to highlight due to his open-minded humility.

Deputy Chief Bobby Hollis is a leader and personal mentor of mine. Way back when, we were officers at the same time in “our” agency, and through the years, I watched him continue to grow and advance in his career. I’ve worked under his supervision at different points in my career, but came to appreciate his insight and example more as I developed my own professional leadership philosophy and experience.

None of us would accomplish anything of value without guidance and example from others. As you will hear, Bobby is conscientious, thoughtful, curious, open to ideas, and balanced. As many of us in policing know- this is not common in our traditional leadership models, but it ought to be. It is my distinct pleasure to have connected with him and allow others to hear and consider his approach and example.

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Robert (Bobby) Hollis, Deputy Police Chief

Deputy Chief Bobby Hollis has served in law enforcement for 24+ years. He is currently the Deputy Chief of Police for the Lacey Police Department.

In his career, Deputy Chief Hollis has worked numerous assignments. He has worked on DEI initiatives and overseen units such as Emergency Management, Traffic, K-9, and SRO. He has also overseen IT (Information Technology) projects and been the liaison to Valley Communications (dispatch). Deputy Chief Hollis spent significant time as a PIO (Public Information Officer), SWAT officer, Recruiting and Hiring, Field Training Officer (FTO) and as a Collision Investigator.

Bobby has been married to his wonderful bride Cindie for 14 years and are empty nesters with their son now attending college. Deputy Chief Hollis has his Executive master’s degree in public administration (EMPA) and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, both from the University of Washington. You can contact him via his LinkedIn page.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic