COMPONENT: Global Banner

Coming soon: A new reality in the way you train.

“Grilling and smoking meats.” That is Brian Meo’s answer to what fun activities he likes to pursue in his free time. Brian also mentions he likes to spend time with his dog Charley, who “always insists on running down the stairs no matter what time I get home to make sure he says hello.” In a profession as stressful as Brian’s, outlets such as these were important.

Brian was a sworn officer with Fort Lauderdale PD for over 23 years. During his time on the force, Brian served in the patrol division, Marine Unit, Narcotics Unit, Administration Division attached to IT, the Honor Guard, the Dive Team and as an Assistant on the Bomb Squad. For Brian, the most stressful part of serving was not the job itself, but the internal politics and issues throughout the years. “They became problematic at times and they couldn’t be escaped” whereas “issues with the citizens went away as soon as the call was over.”

Brian’s advice for how to deal with this stress, and the stresses of the job, is simple: “Don’t close yourself off. Talk to your family about what goes on day-to-day. If you talk about what’s going on, it will help you process and shed the stress you’re going through.” He also encourages future law enforcement officers to find time to relax and unwind with their families and children. “Don’t make your whole life about law enforcement.” He explains that if you do, it’s only a matter of time before you burn out.

After retiring from the force, Brian joined Axon, and now works in the Professional Services Organization providing services and training for agencies after purchasing body-worn camera or TASER weapon programs. Brian believes that “Public Safety training is paramount to help the men and women of law enforcement stay safe. Without ongoing training our skills can diminish, but even more importantly we can’t learn new skills and tactics to work smarter and safer.”


ARTICLE: Family First - Almost Superman

Almost Superman

“My family is the sole reason I am alive today. They refused to turn away when my mental health was at its worst, instead they turned inward and surrounded me with support.”

Dan Brite started his career in law enforcement. He worked in detentions, patrol, investigations, SWAT, and even spent two years working as a school resource officer. He was finally promoted to Sergeant before taking on his current role of Wellness Coordinator.

In 2016, Dan was responding to a call for a suicidal subject where he was struck with an AK-47 and left him paralyzed and wheelchair bound. “After my injury I was left in a wheelchair wondering what life was going to look like. I couldn’t look past everything the wheelchair had stripped away from me. I could no longer play basketball with my daughters or take them to the daddy daughter dance. I could no longer hold my wife’s hand as we go for walks or give her a huge bear hug. I could no longer provide for my family like I used to.”

Dan explained that the physical ramifications of his injury took a huge mental toll. “All of these constant negative thoughts led me to suicidal ideation. My soul was crushed. Once my family realized where I was mentally, they surrounded me and supported me, even though they were having their own struggles related to my injury.”

Dan maintains that this support from his family is the only reason he is alive today. “My family gave me another chance at life. They helped me realize that although there were many things I couldn’t do, the wheelchair actually provided a platform for me to accomplish so many things that I never would have done pre-injury.” Today, Dan runs a wellness program at Castle Rock PD that focuses on the mental, physical, social and spiritual wellness of officers and their families. Dan also speaks at LE conferences around the nation about wellness and the importance of officer mental health.

“I repay my family by not just living but thriving. I found a purpose and continue to serve the great men and women in law enforcement. I demonstrate through my actions that my family’s efforts weren’t for nothing. Everyday my heart is full because of my strong family---my ability is so much more powerful than my disability.”

ARTICLE: Family First - Dan Brite

Beyond Survival

Always On aims to illustrate the realities of the law enforcement profession both to LEOs (law enforcement officers), and their families. In this scenario Dr. Nameeta Sahni, police spouse and forensic and public safety psychologist, will walk you through 10 tips for increased communication and understanding between you and your loved ones. Always On begins with a short movie illustrating several subtle changes you may see in your loved one due to their experience in law enforcement. Dr. Sahni will break down each scene and explain why a given change may occur. Each example provided is based on real experiences of individuals in public safety. Dr. Sahni will also explain methods for families to provide one another continuous support.




ARTICLE: Family First - Always On

Always On

Lindsay McCall Long is a former law enforcement officer who now works full time as a stay-at-home mom and part-time providing peer support to first responders.

In October 2018, Lindsay was involved in an officer-involved shooting where she she sustained injuries to her right arm, upper left arm, and back. “Prior to my critical incident I began therapy. Since then I have tried many types of therapies...EMDR, meditation, physical therapy, brain spotting, support groups, post critical incident seminar.”

Lindsay credits her family and friends for giving her a loving and caring support system after the critical incident. “During my career I attended CIT trainings, communication training, critical incident, debrief and peer support classes, along with mental health and wellness classes.” Now, Lindsay is even more of an advocate for close communication between law enforcement and their loved ones. She encourages those in law enforcement to talk to anyone they trust in order to cope with their stress and harder moments.

Learning to come to terms with the difficult times helps you better appreciate the good times. Lindsay says she loves music and concerts, knitting, and is a sucker for a Nicholas Sparks book. She also enjoys outdoor activities such as traveling and camping. “Arizona is the prefect place for outdoor activities” that can help you get in touch with nature and decompress.




Resources

Accelerate Resources

Product Bundles

Training

Smart Weapons

Cameras

Software

Training

Industries

News

Almost Superman

Beyond Survival

Always On

You Will Go Home