Cody Thomas is the Public Relations Director for the Nebraska State Patrol. On this episode, Cody sat down with Captain John Vik, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin, and Sheriff Terry Wagner to discuss the importance of communication in law enforcement. Cody discusses his background in journalism and radio which he's been able to leverage in his current role of communicating the Nebraska State Patrol's mission to keep Nebraska safe.

As first responders, our deputies are often some of the first to arrive on the scene after severe weather strikes. This included the Hallam Tornado which destroyed most of the village on May 22, 2004. 20 years after the Hallam Tornado, Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik sat down with Sgt. Jason Mayo, Dep. Kory Lehr, and Dep. Zach Meyer to discuss three different tornados that impacted Lancaster County over the last two decades. Listen in as they talk about what it's like to arrive during those initial moments of chaos. Hallam - 5/22/2004 Hickman/Wagontrain Lake - 10/3/2013 Garner Industries - 4/26/2024

For Police Week 2024, Captain Vik walks through the Below 100 program and how it aims to improve officer safety throughout law enforcement. This overview touches on the 5 tenets of the program which are: Wear your belt. Wear your vest. Watch your speed. WIN - What's important now? and Remember: Complacency kills!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to apply to become a deputy sheriff? Or what life at the academy is like? In this episode, Chief Deputy Houchin, Captain Vik, and Sara Sump sat down with four of LSO's newest deputies to ask them about the application process, the academy experience, and beyond. Check out www.JoinLSO.com to learn how YOU can become a deputy with LSO!

Captain Vik sits down with Sheriff Wagner and Chief Deputy Houchin to catch up on the latest happenings from inside the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office. Moving administrative office back after the latest remodel. Spring shift bid changes. Hiring updates. An ongoing officer-involved shooting investigation. Scams and fraud cases. Episode Music Credits: Vittoro by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue) Rodney Skopes by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Becky Kern is a Lead Meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Omaha, Nebraska. Becky joined Captain John Vik and Sara Sump to discuss the National Weather Service (NWS) and severe weather awareness as we move into spring. Becky's background. The NWS mission and history. NWS products and services. Staff and career options. The weather watch/warning process. Mesoscale discussions. Severe weather precautions. "Snow squalls" and other hazards.

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office saw an over 100% increase in vehicle pursuits from 2019 to 2023. In this episode, Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik discuss LSO's pursuit policy and the factors deputies and supervisors weigh when determining whether to pursue a vehicle.

In 1829, Sir Robert Peel established the London Metropolitan Police Force. He became known as the “Father of Modern Policing,” and his commissioners established nine principles of policing that remain as crucial and urgent today as they were two centuries ago. In this episode, Captain Vik unpacks Sir Robert Peel's 9 Principles of Policing and how they relate to modern-day operations at the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Wagner and Chief Deputy Houchin sit down with Captain Vik to discuss pending legislative bills impacting public safety in Lancaster County. Hear their thoughts on why law enforcement agencies need to be involved in the legislative process. Hear about legislative bills related to the elimination of handgun purchase permits, changes to asset forfeiture laws, and more in this episode.

Cynthia Lewis is a faculty member with the FBI's Training Division at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia where she has been a communications instructor since 2004. In this episode, she joins Captain Vik, Sheriff Wagner, and Chief Deputy Houchin to talk about the FBI Training Division and the importance of law enforcement communication. Cynthia's background. The FBI Training Division. Ongoing training. The FBI National Academy program. The University of Virginia. Importance of communication in law enforcement. Written communication. Writing style guides. Learning from colleagues. Continuous learning. Public speaking tips.