Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories

Episode: Police Use of Force, The Controversy and Crime
Host: John "Jay" Wiley
Guest: Jeffrey Halstead (Retired Commander, Phoenix PD; former Chief, Fort Worth PD; CEO, Evertel Technologies)
Date: September 7, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the complexities and controversies of police use of force, exploring both the administrative and frontline perspectives within law enforcement. Host John "Jay" Wiley, a retired police sergeant, interviews Jeffrey Halstead, who served 27 years in law enforcement, rising from patrol officer to police chief. Halstead shares candid insights on the internal dynamics of police departments, the realities of force encounters, public perceptions, trauma, and the critical role of transparency in modern policing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Climbing the Ranks & Staying Connected

Timestamps: 02:39–05:19

• Halstead’s Career Path: Started as a patrol officer, advanced to Commander in Phoenix, then to Chief of Fort Worth PD.
• The Disconnect in Administration: Many administrators lose touch with street realities. Halstead made it a point to ride along in patrol at least monthly to maintain perspective.
  • “I didn't want to lose touch...I wanted to be knowledgeable and sensitive and compassionate for their challenges instead of just what my challenges are in an office.” – Jeffrey Halstead (04:00)
• Juggling Multiple Demands: Police leaders must balance political, union, administrative, and community demands.
  • “It's like that circus act...spinning a political plate, a union or labor management plate...citizen, faith based leaders. At some point you’re going to lose a connection and now you have problems.” – Jeffrey Halstead (04:48)

2. Changing Realities of Police Work

Timestamps: 06:05–07:53

• Technological Changes: Modern officers juggle radios, GPS, body cameras, MDCs (mobile data computers), and more, making multitasking crucial but overwhelming.
• Nostalgia & Humor: Both Wiley and Halstead recall getting lost pre-GPS and the absurdity of handling maps and radios while on patrol.

3. The Push and Pull of Promotion

Timestamps: 08:20–09:42

• Motivation to Promote: Halstead promoted to escape poor supervisors, only to confront new challenges. This led to a deeper appreciation for strong leadership.
  • “The only reason I promoted ever in my career is because I worked for a jerk...The good supervisors told me, well, then you need to test and promote.” – Jeffrey Halstead (08:20)
• Not a “Golden Boy”: Halstead’s candidness made him unpopular with some in command, even getting reprimanded for his police academy graduation speech.

4. Police Use of Force: Realities and Public Misunderstanding

Timestamps: 12:27–14:32

• Force Never Looks Good on Video:
  • “There is nothing pretty about a use of force contact period...nothing looks good on video when you're deploying force.” – Jeffrey Halstead (12:27)
• Suspect’s Role in Use of Force:
  • “It's not the cop's choice about use of force, it's a suspect. They're the ones who determine whether or not force is going to be used.” – John J. Wiley (13:23)
• “Fear for My Life” Explained: The phrase is a legal threshold for justifying deadly force—rooted in actual case law, not personal weakness.
  • “Yes, I was in fear for my life, but...there’s still another challenge...for the deadly use of force application, you need to have a clean and clear backdrop...” – Jeffrey Halstead (14:32)

5. Aftermath, Trauma & Impact

Timestamps: 17:32–20:23

• Psychological Effects: Both speakers reveal the lasting trauma and recurring nightmares from violent encounters, triggered by news events or funerals.
  • “It took me a year to get rid of a lot of those demons and bad nightmares…” – Jeffrey Halstead (18:51)
  • “I still occasionally have nightmares…they still wake me up.” – John J. Wiley (19:28)
• Coping: Recognition that trauma lingers but becomes manageable over time.

6. Administrative Burden in High-Profile Use of Force

Timestamps: 23:04–28:26

• Entering as an Outsider: Halstead faced rumors and skepticism as a new chief in Fort Worth, especially during an early in-custody death involving a lengthy taser deployment.
  • “I was not notified in over almost 18 hours. So it is already news coverage across all of the DFW metroplex. I still haven't been briefed...” – Jeffrey Halstead (23:58)
• Chain of Command Challenges: Those below often downplay the seriousness of events to avoid panic, which hinders transparency and crisis response.
• Family and Community Relations: Halstead found meeting with bereaved families in their churches—with faith leaders mediating—was vital for trust and healing.
  • “They needed to know that I'm going to stand there and take it personally and they can actually vent right at me.” – Jeffrey Halstead (27:32)

7. Positive Stories in Policing

Timestamps: 28:28–31:15

• Highlighting Heroism: Halstead discusses the lifesaving actions of officers like Matt Pearce and the ingenuity of programs that improved outcomes (e.g., combat medics in patrol).
• Misrepresentation in Media:
  • “There are tens of millions of street contacts per day...it will take one horrible use of force deployment which is literally one in maybe over 100 million...that's going to be a broadbush paint across the entire profession, which is not right.” – Jeffrey Halstead (30:40)

8. Evolution and Future of Body Cameras

Timestamps: 33:02–40:31

• From Nightsticks to Body Cams: Old tools and tactics often kept people at a distance and reduced force. Both agree body cameras increase accountability.
• Body Cam Adoption: Halstead spearheaded body cam rollout in Fort Worth, pushing for rapid video transparency despite pushback from prosecutors.
  • “If I had video… it would be able to tell my story and that officer story much better to the public and the media… we started releasing them within 24 hours.” – Jeffrey Halstead (35:43)
• Impact: Quick, transparent video releases calmed unrest, but also prompted more community engagement and questions on police training (37:37).
• Predictions: The next phase will see AI transform video into automated police reports, with video testimonies becoming key in court.
  • “The future, literally, the video is the police report. And artificial intelligence will be able to generate and create these... reports...” – Jeffrey Halstead (37:58)
• Maintaining Discretion: Officers are now trained to narrate their decisions on camera and involve supervisors for transparency in minor matters, retaining some discretion (40:31).

9. Jeffrey Halstead’s Post-Police Work

Timestamps: 41:03–42:27

• Evertel Technologies: Halstead now leads a company providing secure, rapid communication and collaboration for law enforcement, allowing instant information sharing across agencies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I think a lot of my peers are sometimes reluctant to talk. But...in today's growing age of transparency…I think we need to talk.” – Jeffrey Halstead (02:59)
• “There'd be a whole lot less use of force if people just complied.” – John J. Wiley (13:23)
• “Every time you deploy force, it's more paperwork...reports...internal affairs complaints and litigation...We don't want to use force.” – Jeffrey Halstead (13:34)
• “Your honesty, your reputation is so important. One of the things that we have now...body camera videos...I would never be a cop without one.” – John J. Wiley (35:11)
• “If I had video...it would be able to tell my story and that officer story much better...we started releasing them within 24 hours.” – Jeffrey Halstead (35:43)
• “Always do verbal justification...Bring your chain of command on that video...multiple levels of accountability...” – Jeffrey Halstead (39:38)
• “Connect with me. Let me show you the future of not just intelligent sharing but full regional collaboration to work any crisis incident.” – Jeffrey Halstead (42:03)

Major Segment Timestamps

| Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Introduction & Guest Background | 01:25–03:30 | | Administrative vs. Street Cop Perspectives | 03:30–05:19 | | Halstead’s Path to Promotion | 08:20–09:42 | | Discussing Use of Force & “Fear for My Life” | 12:27–14:32 | | Trauma, Adrenaline, and Aftermath | 17:32–20:23 | | High-Profile Cases: In-Custody Death | 23:58–28:26 | | Body Cameras: History and Future | 33:02–40:31 | | Community, Heroism, and Media | 28:28–31:15 | | Halstead’s Work with Evertel & Collaboration | 41:03–42:27 |

Summary & Takeaways

This frank and personal conversation offers rare insight into the realities of police work from patrol to the executive level—emphasizing the human cost, administrative burden, and evolving public expectations around law enforcement use of force. Halstead’s candor on trauma, leadership, the hurdles of transparency, and advances like body cameras provides a nuanced view for listeners of all backgrounds. For those curious about what happens beyond the headlines—and how departments are adapting—the episode is both sobering and constructive, highlighting the ongoing challenges and efforts for a safer, more accountable future in policing.