Episode 29: SBPD Sgt. Jordan Mirakian

06/13/22 • 178 min

In this episode we interview Seal Beach Police Department Sergeant Jordan Mirakian. Jordan discusses his childhood, specifically the impact of his father coming out as a gay man when Jordan was thirteen years old. He recalls having to go to work at the age of fourteen to help support his mother, and describes an incident as a teen that propelled him into a career in law enforcement.

Jordan recounts the highs and lows of his career, including being awarded detective of the year in one agency and experiencing organizational betrayal in another. Jordan currently works as a patrol sergeant for Seal Beach PD, and is the anonymous face that runs and operates the Instagram and Facebook pages for Seal Beach PD. With the support of his chief, he utilizes humor, wit and sarcasm to engage in community policing. Using transparent communication and consistent community engagement, the Seal Beach Police Department has earned credibility in their city by way of social media.

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Episode 28: CDCR Lt. Kip Curtiss

In this episode we interview retired CDCR Lt. Kip Curtiss. Kip discusses the positive impact of watching his father interact and mentor sailors in the Navy, and how this shaped his own leadership style. Kip discusses losing his eldest brother in a house fire during childhood, and the impact on himself and his parents.

Kip didn’t join the department until the age of 42, working as a general contractor and volunteer firefighter previously. He initially worked at Valley State Prison (VSP) for women and transferred to the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF). He discusses the impact of being investigated, disciplined, and demoted - and how that experience helped him better balance his role at work. He ultimately promoted to sergeant and then lieutenant and became the peer support leader at SATF. He discusses the impact of numerous staff suicides that occurred over his career at SATF, as well as his faith.

Kip is currently retired, but still working as a general contractor and is also the Peer Support Director and a board member for The Resiliency Project.

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Episode 30: LBPD Sgt. Andrew Gonzalez

In this episode, we interview Long Beach Police Department Correctional Sergeant Andrew Gonzalez. Andrew grew up in Long Beach, California, and discussed what childhood factors influenced him to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Andrew worked for nine years as a correctional sergeant with Long Beach PD, before he decided to pursue a career change. He now works as a licensed marriage and family therapist and specializes in the treatment of first responders and law enforcement. Andrew discusses his own history of trauma and notable critical incidents.

Andrew works currently as a therapist for CAV Family Therapy with offices in both Fullerton, CA and Murietta, CA. Andrew accepts Kaiser Permanente insurance and accepts clients who reside in California that may be looking for a therapist.