First Response with Bob Plaschke Episode 17 - Chief Ken Wallentine: You Matter Like I Matter: Rebuilding Trust in Law Enforcement

First Response with PepperBall CEO Bob Plaschke

What does it mean to carry five generations of law enforcement legacy? Ken Wallentine, the Chief of the West Jordan (Utah) Police Department, takes us on a remarkable journey through 150 years of family policing history—from his great-great-great-grandfather who served as a Deputy US Marshal during the Civil War to his daughter who texted "Dad, I'm okay" after a tense armed standoff just yesterday.

Behind the badge lies a profound philosophy that guides Chief Wallentine's department: "You matter, like I matter." This simple yet powerful approach recognizes the humanity in both officers and community members. As policing has evolved from six-shot revolvers and minimal training to AI-powered body cameras and comprehensive mental health support, the fundamental mission of connecting with people remains unchanged.

Chief Wallentine offers candid insights into how modern officers navigate expanded responsibilities as frontline mental health responders while carrying public expectations that often seem superhuman. He reflects on his own emotional journey through critical incidents without support, contrasting it with today's robust resources for officer wellbeing. The conversation explores how technology has transformed policing—from body cameras that translate dozens of languages in real-time to training that teaches officers to "speak to the camera" when creating permanent records of their interactions.

The most compelling revelations come when discussing de-escalation—not as a tactic but as a goal dependent on creating conditions that help subjects modify their own behavior. This perspective challenges conventional thinking about use of force, suggesting that tools like PepperBall can actually facilitate de-escalation by providing alternatives to deadly force.

Subscribe to hear more authentic conversations with the real heroes behind the badge—the voices that are "a lot louder and, frankly, a lot more interesting" than the headlines might suggest.

챕터

1. Behind the Badge: Family of Blue Bloods (00:00:00)

2. Restoring the Nobility of Policing (00:05:25)

3. Technological Evolution in Law Enforcement (00:09:52)

4. Supporting Officers' Mental Health (00:13:45)

5. Modern De-escalation: Beyond "Ask, Tell, Make" (00:22:00)

6. Honoring Fallen Officers and Their Legacy (00:28:20)