Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
Robert T. Christensen
The suspect doesn't come quietly. Before he's subdued, rookie cop Robert Christensen gets pummeled unconscious. Twenty-five years later, he retires as one of Kalamazoo's top patrol officers. Out of the Darkness and into the Blue recounts Christensen's most memorable experiences on the force, told with candor, honesty, and humor. After describing each event, Christensen analyzes his behavior during the encounter, the tactics he used, and how changes in strategy and behavior might have affected the outcome.
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Top 10 Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Honor Guard: The Tears Behind Our Glasses
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
04/02/15 • 33 min
"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer it's an entire nation." - Chris Cosgriff, ODMP founder. On April 18, 2011 Officer Eric Zapata, the first City of Kalamazoo officer was murdered in the line of duty. The city and department lost an officer by a suspects bullet. But for me, I lost a friend and a partner on the job. It was the worst of days! Eric will never be forgotten. Two other of my friends were killed in the line of duty. And even worse, they were two of my own students that I had trained at the Kalamazoo Valley Police Academy. Officer Owen Fisher, of the Flint, Michigan Police Dept. and Officer Scot Beyerstedt, of the Mattawan, Michigan Police Dept. As a member of the Kalamazoo Police Honor Guard we attended countless funerals of Officers killed in the line of duty. It was a brutal reminder of how deadly our chosen profession is. Was I next? How will I be killed? These questions always came into my mind while my tears ran down my face behind the mirrored sunglasses we wore at every funeral. In this chapter I reveal my emotional thoughts of how we, as Cops handle the overwhelming emotions of these tragic events. I hope that the listener and reader will gain a better understanding of this noble profession. In honor of Officers Eric Zapata, Owen Fisher, and Scot Beyerstedt. You will never be forgotten! Available in paperback, kindle, e-book, and audiobook from Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes.com, Audible.com, roberttodd.com, and at your favorite bookstore worldwide.
Death in Rural America
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
09/13/14 • 17 min
Out of the Darkness and into the Blue, Chapter Two: "Death in Rural America". For 16 years I served as an EMT and Firefighter with the Lawrence Township Quick Response Team and Fire Department. In this 36 square mile township in S.W. Michigan was where I witness some of the most destructive death experiences as a first responder. All across America local volunteers work day and night to help bring order to chaos. This chapter describes, in detail my most memorable calls for service. Warning: This is not for the weak at heart. This is reality! Get your copy today from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes.com, Audible.com www.roberttodd.com
Criminal Patrol
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
09/29/14 • 86 min
The realities of criminal patrol are explained and detailed throughout this chapter. In addition, I have included tactical tips and survival strategies to help keep Police Officers alive while on patrol. The entire book is available in paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Audible.com, and iTunes.com www.roberttodd.com Strength and Honor! Robert Todd Christensen
Field Training and Rookies
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
12/02/16 • 19 min
"Let no soul cry out, Had I not been properly trained." —Infantry Training Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia Slow down—Seatbelts—Wear your vest—STAY ALIVE! Get your own copy today! Available from Amazon.com, Barnesandoble.com, iTunes.com, Audible.com, roberttodd.com
Epilogue
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
12/03/16 • 13 min
Throughout this book I tried to capture the emotion and internal thoughts of what was going through my mind as I handled each call. The one theme that kept coming back into my thoughts, though, was that I worked with some of the most professional, compassionate, respectful, and caring people our society has to offer. I am forever grateful to my friends and coworkers, the citizens, and the city of Kalamazoo for providing me with such fond memories. I hope that I helped to instill this same feeling of appreciation and gratitude to those who took the time to read or listen to this book, podcast, or audiobook. Strength and Honor! Robert Todd Christensen AKA: DS TC (to my police academy students)
Introduction
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
12/02/16 • 4 min
My career priority was to serve and protect the city of Kalamazoo. I am forever grateful to the citizens of Kalamazoo, my coworkers at Kalamazoo Public Safety, the criminal justice professionals throughout the judicial system, the local government officials, both past and present, and the neighborhood volunteers. I am confident that through your continued efforts, the city of Kalamazoo will always be one of the best cities in our nation. It was an honor to serve you all. To contact the author visit www.roberttodd.com or email at [email protected]
Landing That Perfect Job
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
04/26/16 • 15 min
Getting hired by a career police department is your dream right? Working for an agency where you can have a challenging career, learn, and grow as a solid performer. Finding that perfect fit for you and the community and one that you can work faithfully for with 25 years of service and retire with a solid pension at a relatively young age. Usually around 46 years old. In this chapter I tell you exactly what I did, what police departments are looking for, and how you can set yourself up for success. Good Luck! Get your own copy today! Available from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes.com, Audible.com, www.roberttodd.com
Traffic Law Enforcement
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
10/29/14 • 54 min
My career was spent primarily as a road patrol officer. The majority of my road patrol duties consisted of traffic law enforcement. Traffic law enforcement has simply one primary goal: "Save Lives". However, traffic violations result in much more than just pulling people over and writing tickets. Remember, a cop is a hunter. Looking deeper, and farther into the traffic stop than you may think. What are we looking for? Much more than just a speeding ticket...there is always more. Such as: wanted subjects, illegal guns, drugs, stolen vehicles, stolen property. We are always digging much, more and hunting out criminal behavior. How do illegal drugs, guns, and people traverse our country? BY VEHICLE... I am also going to give those cops out there the tactical tips needed to survive traffic patrol. So many time, cops are murdered in the line of duty. "If you get shot...then what?" Keep this in mind as you listen. (Traffic stop survival tactics) This is exactly how I was nearly killed on March 4, 1990. Follow my tips—it will help you stay alive. Never become complacent! If you love this podcast you can download the entire audiobook or enjoy Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue in paperback, kindle, and audiobook. From Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes.com, Audible.com www.roberttodd.com Stay Alert...Stay Alive! Officer Todd.
Police Academy Training
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue
02/22/16 • 3 min
Why do people want to be a Police Officer? When asking a new recruit they almost always say: "To help people." As an academy trainer since 1997 I've had the honor of training hundreds of Officers who now serve our communities throughout the country. Here, I take you behind the scenes of what it means to "build police officers" and what it really means to inspire people to become the best they can possibly be to succeed in their new career. I'll tell you exactly what you need to do in order to succeed during academy training. I am dedicating this podcast to both Paul Bianco and Keaton Nielsen, my warrior brothers. Why do the three of us teach at the police academy? We see it as a moral obligation to our chosen profession. We don't do it for the money, notoriety, praise, or attention. We do it for our new recruits. Read or listen to the entire book today and save your life! Available from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes.com, Audible.com, roberttodd.com
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FAQ
How many episodes does Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue have?
Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue currently has 18 episodes available.
What topics does Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue cover?
The podcast is about Training, Autobiography, Criminal, Podcasts, Books, Police and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue?
The episode title 'Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue?
The average episode length on Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue is 24 minutes.
How often are episodes of Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue released?
Episodes of Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue are typically released every 38 days, 2 hours.
When was the first episode of Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue?
The first episode of Out of the Darkness and Into the Blue was released on Jul 31, 2014.
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