• Recognizing the importance of wellness and resilience in law enforcement is crucial for optimizing performance and maintaining mental health.
• Living outside the 'blue world' and engaging with the community helps maintain a balanced perspective and prevents the formation of an echo chamber.
• Organizational culture and leadership support play a significant role in promoting wellness practices and removing barriers to self-care.
• Regular blood work and monitoring personal health are individual responsibilities that contribute to overall well-being.
• Building bridges between law enforcement and the community through open dialogue and transparency helps foster trust and understanding. Take ownership of your well-being and make choices that align with your values and purpose.
• Set boundaries to prioritize different aspects of life and maintain work-life balance.
• Seek support from psychologists or trusted friends to navigate personal and professional challenges.
• Embrace positivity and optimism to contribute to a positive culture in the law enforcement profession.

• Maintain balance, avoid cynicism, and surround yourself with good people in order to thrive in the police profession.
• Wise leadership is crucial in creating a respectful and psychologically safe workplace for police officers.
• Take responsibility for your own mental health and well-being, and seek therapy if needed.
• Be trauma-informed, compassionate, and empathetic towards others, including those who may be engaging in negative behavior.
• Create a workplace culture that supports and holds officers accountable while also providing support for mental health challenges.

RCMP Sergeant Greg Toogood was at home enjoying an evening with friends and family when his chocolate labrador Abby started uncharacteristically barking outside.  He went to the back door of his house to check on the dog.  Greg, silhouetted in the door, was ambushed from afar and shot causing significant, permanent damage to his right arm.

On this episode of Bend Don't Break, Greg joins Chief Neil Dubord to talk about how the shooting affected him, and how he found the courage to come back both physically and mentally. 

Join Chief Dubord and Sgt. Toogood as Greg shares the power of his story of resilience.

First responders are on the front lines daily, keeping our communities safe and facing some of the most dangerous situations; there is no doubt that the mental health toll of the job is significant. In recent years, the first responder community has worked hard to reduce the stigma and increase awareness, fostering an overall culture of wellness.  The power of healing through story is the goal of Bend Don't Break, listed as one of the Top Policing & Law Enforcement Podcasts.

Follow and like Bend Don't Break on your podcast platform of choice.

Join Chief Neil Dubord as he speaks with Greater Sudbury Police Service Constable James Jefferson. James was involved in a critical incident that had a profound impact on how he managed and functioned.  Until he was ready to acknowledge this impact and do something to help himself, he spiraled to his rock bottom.  But when James did acknowledge the impact, he started a road to recovery for himself, and now uses his experiences and outlook to help others with the GSPS. 

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Join Chief Neil Dubord as he speaks with psychologist Dr. Mark Davies. Mark has recently joined the Delta Police Department and works with our wellness section to help our officers be mentally healthy. A psychologist on staff is not a completely new thing, but it goes a long way to show how committed the DPD is to employee wellness.

Mark believes organizational culture can reduce barriers and contribute to healthy mental well-being. In speaking about a study conducted at Harvard, Dr. Davies states, "Unit cohesion in the military was a negative predictor of PTSD by a 20% variance."  Essentially, having the proper mechanisms in place before trauma occurs, can reduce the chance and severity of trauma, if and when trauma does happen.

Mark emphasizes the value of organizational culture, why he chose to work with first responders, and how his own lived experience is now helping him contribute to the DPD's environment to help its officers.  "Mental health isn't about preventing bad, it's about being really great."

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This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Sande Higgins, an RCMP member who bravely shares her unique story of survival, followed by trauma.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Sande who, several years ago, boarded a plane five days before getting married to the love of her life, to moments later finding herself as a survivor. Sande describes the traumatizing experience and how it accompanied her in silence for many years, painfully but away from the sight of her close ones. Sande has remained resilient in the face of all the different obstacles she had to overcome and shares her story to encourage anyone suffering to seek help. Listen to this inspiring story!

Key Takeaways:

[2:53] Sande shares her background and how she became part of the RCMP.

[5:19] Sande expands on her experience in residential schools.

[6:45] Sande describes the mounted community.

[8:12] Each member had their own home at the mounted community.

[9:25] When the incident occurred, Sande was days away from her wedding. She talks about her relationship with her partner back then.

[12:46] Sande boarded the plane, and nothing seemed odd.

[15:17] What happened on July 4th?

[20:24] What is Telecom?

[21:18] Sande stops and tries to process what just happened.

[23:25] Sande talks about her injuries.

[25:45] Sande made sure everyone was all right.

[28:00] Sande got married five days after the incident.

[28:41] Sande returned to work pretty fast; she explained what that looked like. 

[30:23] Before getting back to work, Sande consulted a psychologist.

[33:25] Sande had a son; she is convinced he saved her; shifting the focus was the key to starting healing.

[38:15] Sande confesses having thoughts of dying.

[39:11] Sande's doctor told her she had PTSD years after the event.

[40:55] Sande receives a treatment plan for her PTSD.

[43:23] Sande talks about where she is on her journey today.

[45:18] How does Sande see a change in perspectives in the RCMP regarding mental health?

[47:33] Sande discusses survivor's guilt.

[48:58] It is never too late to ask for help.

Mentioned in this Episode:

RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by   Ryan Moore of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Ryan about his struggle with PTSD and how he ended up helping others due to his own healing journey.

Ryan has indigenous roots and received his formal name when he was young, he was called Big Uncle, a name they hadn't given for a while in his culture, which represents somebody who looks after people, a perfect name that foresaw his destiny. 

In his role helping others, Ryan experienced extreme situations, which over time disturbed his peace, work, and relationships. Ryan turned his suffering into an opportunity to find himself again and to learn how to take care of his own mental health, which today he applies in helping others struggling with PTSD. Get inspired by Ryan's brave journey, if he could, so do you!

Key Takeaways:

[1:25] Ryan talks about himself, his career, and how he got to join the RCMP.

[3:30] Ryan is also an indigenous member.

[5:04] Ryan shares his experience with PTSD.

[10:45] Ryan finally realizes he is suffering from PTSD (even though it was obvious to his closest ones).

[12:46] Ryan recalls the origins of PTSD in his life.

[21:34] The training that officers don't receive.

[22:21] Ryan discusses his life as a veteran.

[27:43] Ryan and Chied Dubord address that moment when an officer realizes he/she needs time off because something is not correct.

[31:57] Ryan wants to get involved in Veteran's Affairs by making a presentation, but things get complicated, and Ryan loses control.

[37:56] Ryan finds himself at home with no road map of what to do next; he shares how he found his way during that time.

[40:36] Ryan gets introduced to a particular treatment for people struggling with PTSD.

[44:07] Ryan was hesitant about the program; he did not think it was meant for him since he didn't feel ready to retire. 

[46:26] Ryan was sent home, which was the beginning of his recovery.

[48:26] Today, Ryan helps others on their journeys toward healing from PTSD.

[54:50] Ryan shares how he connects with other service members in need.

[56:12] Ryan's first day back at work felt like a million dollars.

Mentioned in this Episode:

K9 Coffee Co.

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Chief Neil Dubord is accompanied this week by Dr. Kendra Devor, who dives deep into her efforts regarding the Wellness Program designed to assist first responders in overcoming the repercussions of critical incidents they often endure in service.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Kendra Devor Psy. D., a Licensed Clinical Psychologist out of Orange County, California. Her professional experience has focused on treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, grief, and loss. Dr. Devor has extensive experience working with first responders and their family members.

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] Kendra introduces herself.

[4:10] Kendra talks about her certifications.

[5:14] Kendra shares about a particular client who has gone through several traumatic incidents.

[8:26] EMDR is an amazing therapeutic modality designed to treat trauma, Kendra explains why.

[10:39] Kendra continues talking about this specific client who got to therapy after his third critical incident; she addresses the two first traumatic events.

[14:49] Now, this deputy went through two more critical incidents.

[16:01] Less than one year later, this particular deputy is stronger and happier than ever.

[17:45] Kendra shares the best tools for assisting first responders.

[20:03] Kendra expresses her gratitude and honor for being trusted by cops.

[20:53] Kendra talks about the Wellness Program.

[24:01] Kendra addresses the invaluable importance of training.

[25:03] Physical wellness is also involved in the Wellness Program.

[27:41] Kendra shares her thoughts on the mental health stigma.

[30:22] Kendra advises: Go to therapy before you feel like you need it, and if you don't like the clinician, it is not that therapy isn't for you; just seek another therapist.

Mentioned in this Episode:

K9 Coffee Co.

Looking for More Episodes?

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Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by  Kyle Stubbs, who is a member of the RCMP and was formerly in the Surrey Detachment.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Kyle about how his life took a sudden shift in 2018 with his premature daughter's birth. Kyle openly shares how his entire family was affected by this and especially the impact that the vulnerable health condition of his baby girl had on him as a father, a husband, and a cop. Kyle shares how he struggled to find the support he needed but, fortunately, ran into a therapeutic group that changed his life forever. This transformation brought along a new purpose to him: Nine8, a Health and Wellness Training Program for first responders Kyle created.

Key Takeaways:

[1:13] Kyle introduces himself.

[1:51] How did the frequent moving affect Kyle and his family?

[2:38] Kyle takes us back to 2018, when his younger daughter was born.

[5:25] Kyle talks about the delivery of her premature baby girl.

[7:31] Kyle ignored how this situation would impact his entire family. 

[8:42] They had to fly back to the Children's Hospital soon after arriving home.

[10:21] Kyle was told by the doctors her baby, Matilda, was going to go through surgery and that there was a possibility that she wouldn't survive it.

[11:11] Matilda fully recovered; today she is a typical 5-year-old!

[11:33] Kyle talks about the pressure he placed on himself for not going to work during that period when Matilda was recovering.

[13:30] How did Kyle deal with the stress?

[14:34] Kyle became numb and disconnected from his family.

[15:14] Kyle tried therapy without luck, but he found a group that gave him the support he needed.

[16:50] Kyle's least favorite word: Should.

[19:56] How did Kyle find the therapeutic group? How long did it take him to find it?

[22:14] By assisting the group, Kyle realized he was not alone.

[23:04] Kyle began a journey that provided even more meaning to his life and self-discovery.

[25:16] Kyle created Nine8, a 10-week program for first responders.

[26:18] Kyle shares some interesting statistics about under and over-40-year-old men and their meaningful connections.

[28:36] You are not alone.

[30:18] Chief Dubord highlights some of the most essential messages brought by Kyle to today's episode.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Find more about Kyle Stubbs

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This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Jonny Morris, CEO of the British Columbia chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association, to discuss the event that took place on January 23rd, 2023, when the Delta Police Department received a report of an individual who was outside the safety rail on the southbound side of the Alex Fraser Bridge.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Jonny Morris, who reached out during the crisis faced on that bridge and extended his support through a long negotiation process that lasted 8 hours and also caused the closing of the bridge, which created discontent from the general population which was affected by this security measure.

The overall decision to close the bridge was complex but guided by the belief in the importance of preserving life, which first responders and committed officers achieved, saving this man's life and successfully assisting an individual with a mental health crisis. 

Key Takeaways:

[4:15] Jonny Morris, CEO of the British Columbia chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association, joins Chief Dubord.

[7:13] Jonny talks about his role and how he advocates for mental health.

[9:44] Jonny shares the successes accomplished and the services the Canadian Mental Health Association gives.

[13:35] Care to Speak and Care for Care Giver and their impact on stress management teams and first responders.

[16:33] Jonny talks about building psychologically safe environments and their work on preventive care.

[19:58] Jonny speaks of the Study in Blue and Gray, a report with many recommendations in cases of people confronting a mental health emergency. 

[23:54] Jonny described the importance of creating a psychologically safe workplace. 

[32:40] Why is it so difficult for mental fitness to be on the same footing as physical health?

[39:08] Jonny expresses his gratitude.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Canadian Mental Health Association

Learn more about 13 Factors: Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace

Anxiety Canada

Call the crisis line:  3-10-6789

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Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Grayson Hawkings and Joel Thirsk from the Delta Police Department.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Grayson and Joel about their intervention in a case that had an unexpected turn and how they handled a complex and uncertain incident in the Ferry Terminal, displaying a magnificent team effort.  Both Grayson and Joel share the impact the process that followed the event had on them since they were not able to talk to anyone about the incident for many months. They also speak of the strategies and tools they used to keep their psychological strength and clarity. 

Key Takeaways:

[1:43] Grayson shares about himself

[2:07] Joel talks about how he joined the Delta Police Department.

[3:17] Reflection on a previous call involving Grayson and Joel. Four years ago, Joel and Grayson got a peculiar call about a child stuck in mud.

[4:09] Introduction of crisis call. Radio clip of the police communicating during the incident at the ferry terminal.

[7:50] Grayson talks about that call.

[13:05] Grayson had to run after the man that was driving the taxi.

[13:36] Joel shares what he knew about what was happening.

[14:39] Grayson and Joel were at the moment working by themselves, each in a one-person unit.

[14:55] Grayson explains the yelling in the radio clip.

[16:33] Joel shares how he got to support Grayson.

[18:30] Grayson finds out the man has a knife.

[20:55]  Grayson talks about what happened after the man starts to harm himself..

[23:40] From de-escalation to applying first aid.

[24:40] Grayson distances himself from the scene to catch his breath.

[26:09] Joel shares the events after the man harmed himself and all the questions he had in his mind at the moment.

[28:12] Grayson returned to the office, and anxiety started to kick in.

[29:46] Grayson and Joel discuss the impact of being unable to speak with anyone about what happened.

[32:08] Grayson shares how upsetting it was for his belt to be taken from him.

[32:50] Joel did not sleep well after the event.

[35:34] How was it like to get back to work? 

[36:55] Grayson and Joel did not know how long the process would be.

[37:50] They could speak to no one (not even the psychologist or teammates)

[40:57] Joel and Grayson discuss their strategies to continue working and staying positive.

[44:01] Months turned into years, what did Joel and Grayson do over that period of time?

[45:54] Eighteen months later, they have to talk about the incident. How fresh was it in their minds?

[47:42] There is a need to understand the process.

[49:45] Social connections are crucially important inside and outside of the police.

[51:42] Did they do anything to try to stop the event from repeating itself in their minds?

[54:09] Would there have been any advantage if they were allowed to tell the story sooner? 

[55:13] Joel grew up in a police family.

[56:45] Chief Dubord summarizes the advice that Joel and Grayson provided.

Mentioned in this Episode:

K9 Coffee Co.

Looking for More Episodes?

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This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Todd Mason from the Victoria Police Department. In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Todd about two tragic incidents that changed his career and affected him deeply, impacting his physical and mental health profoundly. 

Todd boldly shares the struggles he endured being diagnosed with PTSD, major depression and anxiety and how he regained control of his life and has his PTSD in remission. Listen to Todd's inspiring story of transformation, resilience, and perseverance.

Key Takeaways:

[1:51] In September of 2021 Todd was a negotiator with the Victoria Police Department, he shares a critical incident he experienced on September 15th.

[6:58] Todd took a week off after the shooting.

[8:11] Todd talks about the events that happened on September 27th.

[13:27] How fast did the car hit Todd?

[13:50] Todd talks about the several injuries resulting from the incident.

[15:23] How did Tom get to the hospital?

[17:37] What happened after Todd got released from the hospital?

[21:15] Todd talks about the impact this incident has on his psyche.

[25:30] Medication helped Todd a lot.

[25:55] Todd speaks of his wife's unconditional support.

[28:54] Todd confesses that he did not know what was happening to him at the time.

[31:23] Todd heard about a program dedicated to helping people with PTSD.

[34:09] Treatment at Ravensview felt like a full-time job to Todd.

[35:04] Todd was out for three months, and he talks about what was different when he came back.

[36:00] Depression is a daily battle.

[36:43] What is the prognosis for Todd?

[37:55] Was Which of the physical or mental injuries was the hardest to get over with?

[39:12] What happened to the person that tried to run Todd down?

[42:31] Todd shares some of the things that worked for him.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Homewood Ravensview 

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Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

• Accessing mental health resources is crucial for police officers who experience trauma and stress.
• Everyone's journey to resilience is different, and it's important to be open to seeking help and support.
• Creating a community that supports mental health and validates experiences is essential.
• Faith and forgiveness can play a significant role in the healing process.
• Being self-aware and recognizing one's own feelings and reactions is key to managing mental health.
• Having a wellness plan in place, including a list of professionals to reach out to, can be helpful in times of need.

This week Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Laurie White. Laurie graduated from the RCMP training academy, 'depot', in 1996 and was posted to Kitimat, B.C.

Less than three years into her career she was shot in the leg while executing a search warrant at the home of a sex offender. Laurie shares her incredible story of losing her leg, her physical and mental recovery and her heroic return to work as the first police officer in Canada to return to full, unrestricted policing duties, with an artificial leg.

Laurie and Chief Dubord discuss how the injury sent her to a dark place mentally, and how she struggled with constantly being told 'you are lucky to be alive', while at the same time feeling incredibly angry.

Laurie went on to have a full career and write a book about her experience after her retirement in 2020. (Link Book – 10-33 Officer Down)

https://www.amazon.ca/10-33-Officer-Down-Steps-Back/dp/1039115748

This is a story you won't want to miss.

In this episode, Chief Neil Dubord speaks with retired LAPD Chief Psychologist Dr. Kevin Jablonski. Kevin discusses how, in 25 years with the LAPD, he observed policing distort and skew how police officers view their world - becoming increasingly negative. 

Kevin also challenges police officers to explore their own world view and challenge it, noting that while black and white thinking might serve a purpose on the job, life outside of policing has many more shades of grey.

Key Takeaways:

[2:35] Kevin talks about his background and how he became a psychologist working with police officers.

[5:58] Kevin learned in a very short time that his prejudgements and stereotypes about law enforcement officers were not valid.

[6:30] Kevin became the Chief Police Psychologist at LAPD.

[8:35] Kevin talks about the stereotypes regarding policing.

[13:33] Kevin shares an example from a particular consultation a police officer brought to him.

[19:11] How can our worldview be balanced between awareness and hypervigilance?

[22:47] Black-and-white thinking is still really predominant and it is true that on the job this kind of thinking can be life-saving.

[26:51] It is crucially important to connect with a psychologist before a major event happens.

[27:13] How does a psychologist help clients to get perspective around their worldview?

[30:32] Kevin emphasizes the importance of open communication.

[32:04] Kevin talks about organizational stress.

[36:20] Kevin shares a piece of advice to expand a constricted worldview.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Looking for More Episodes?

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Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by  Steve Joordens, a Professor at the University of Toronto where he teaches psychology, and Sgt. Dave Haynes, a Police officer who has been working for the Toronto Police Services for 21 years.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Steve and Dave about how they put together a course for police officers to help face the stress and anxiety that come with their very challenging jobs.  Steve explains how this course became an amazing opportunity to give back to the community by helping officers in need.  Steve and Dave share how their course fits with police culture, while at the same time, acknowledging the often unrecognized psychological challenges police officers have to face.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by  Nathan Kapler, who has his own podcast called Ten Thirty-Three,  where he tells some of his experiences through extremely challenging situations as a Police Officer. Nathan shares in his show how he learned to handle his emotions, and also deal with his own unresolved trauma.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Nathan about how he grew up in a small town in Northern Alberta wanting to be a caring and compassionate policeman. He shares the beginning of his career when he only was 21 years old,  and how, several years later,  his mental health started to suffer, developing PTSD and later, facing addiction. Nathan, bravely, openly, and unapologetically, shares his journey through PTSD, its origins, and its consequences, so others know they are not alone.

Key Takeaways:

[1:13] Nathan shares what motivated him to become a Police Officer.

[3:25] Nathan speaks about the early years of his career.

[5:01] Nathan talks about some of his first experiences when he was only 21 years old.

[6:41] Nathan elaborates on the impact that had on him to face other people's trauma.

[8:42] Did Nathan have any tools to help him deal with his emotions?

[10:09] Nathan talks about what post traumatic stress was for him.

[10:52] Nathan confesses that what he thought was a healthy way of coping turned out not to be that way.

[12:01] How did Nathan get diagnosed with PTSD?

[13:27] Nathan confesses he did not know how to talk about his emotions.

[14:05] Nathan was a General Duty Police Officer from 2007 to 2011, and later entered a drug section until 2014 and then became part of the Federal Service Organized Crime.

[15:36] Nathan did not take any time off due to PTSD until 2017.

[16:03] Nathan talks about the treatment plan he started following when received the diagnosis of PTSD.

[18:30] Nathan talks about the most critical years for him: 2017/2018.

[20:53] Nathan explains how he became interested in medical cannabis to treat his symptoms while dealing with the stigma of cannabis being a drug.

[22:54] Nathan openly shares his problems with addiction.

[26:08] Nathan realized in 2019 that he has developed an addiction and that he needed to go on leave.

[28:18] Nathan openly shares the fears he had in regard to how his career would be impacted by taking time off to heal.

[30:16] Nathan chose to stop policing, he could not be a part of any more trauma.

[32:45] Nathan was off for two and a half years.

[34:13] Nathan shares his message: Embrace the vulnerability early on.

[35:41] Nathan gives his suggestions to everyone trying to own their own mental health.

[36:28] What does Nathan miss about the job?

[38:46] Nathan talks about his podcast: Ten Thirty-Three.

Mentioned in this Episode:

K9 Coffee Co.

Listen to Ten Thirty-Three Podcasts

Visit  https://www.tenthirtythreeco.com where Nathan provides more support to First Responders!

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This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined again by James Hardy who has been in policing for more than 4 decades, he was with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police then over to the  Calgary Police Service, and later developed a consulting career.

This episode is the second part of an amazing conversation with James. He shares how a large team of police officers investigated the murder of 4 RCMP officers on a rural property in Alberta in 2005. In addition to investigating the murder, James was one of the senior members in charge of making sure the mental health of his team was taken care of, and he speaks of the increasing importance of continuing to care for officers mental wellness 17 years after the tragedy

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by James Hardy who has been in policing for more than 4 decades, he was with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police then over to the  Calgary Police Service, and later developed a consulting career.

 This episode is the first part of two, where James speaks about his 40 years of career in policing and how hard it was to retire. He also shares two major incidents that happened during his vast career that impacted him forever. James shares in detail both events and how he managed to balance professionalism and pay attention to his emotions. 

Stay tuned for part 2, where James talks about his role as a Team Commander in the Mayerthorpe tragedy that took the lives of four RCMP officers.

 Key Takeaways:

[1:30] James talks about his career.

[9:18] James shares how difficult was for him to retire, feeling guilt for abandoning this team that became his family.

[13:40] How was James connected to the incident that happened in Stony Plain Alberta? James shares the entire experience.

[20:42] How was James taking care of himself?

[22:58] James compares what happened 17  years ago in Stony Plain to the event that took place in Mayerthorpe in regard to how officers were supported.

[27:48] James shares what he means when he says: Words matter.

 Looking for More Episodes?

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Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

This month Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Constable Jenny LeQuesne from the Victoria Police Department (VicPD) who is sharing her incredible story.

In this episode, Chief Dubord and Jenny speak about how being injured on the job led to the end of her beloved 12 year career. Jenny talks about trying to return to work as a police officer on patrol, the realization that a brain injury would mean that would never happen and the subsequent feeling of loss and how she ended up saying goodbye to policing.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by RCMP Cst. Shelby Murphy. In this episode, Shelby shares her story from her time in the RCMP's Sex Crimes section investigating child sexual assaults and child pornography. Shelby shares that these investigations deeply impacted her physically, mentally and emotionally, to the point where she ended up suffering from PTSD and lived in shame for years.

Shelby talks about how sharing her story was met with love and understanding, not the judgement and stigma she feared. Her story is inspirational, filled with life lessons and hope.

• Seeking help for mental health is important, even in professions where there is a stigma around it.
• Taking care of oneself is crucial for resilience and well-being.
• Participating in peer-to-peer programs and attending courses can be transformative in one's journey of healing and growth.
• Prioritizing self-care is not selfish, but necessary for being able to help others effectively.
• Continual learning and reflection are essential for personal growth and maintaining balance in life.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Aaron Courtney, a 19-year veteran of the Abbotsford Police Department.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Aaron about how his career and life were completely altered in 2019 after he was a victim of a serious on-duty pedestrian hit-and-run motor vehicle incident. He shares his personal story, his struggles with career loss, his major health changes, organizational pressures, and the dark realities of PTSD  and depression. He also opens up about the turning point that sparked his transformation and how his journey has led him to starting a business that assists with the medical bills of retired Canadian police dogs from coast to coast. https://supportretiredlegends.com/

On this edition of Bend Don't Break, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by a 23-year member of the Calgary Police Service, Dave Sweet.

In this episode, Dave shares key lessons he has learned as a Homicide Detective, impactful moments in his career that have changed his perspective on policing, and the coping strategies he leverages to protect his mental health.

This month on the Bend Don't Break Podcast, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by not one, but three fantastic guests. S/Sgt. Mike Bloxham, Sergeant Dave Fouche, and Superintendent Dave Teboul are all experienced RCMP Crisis Negotiators here to talk about the critical incident that brought them all together.

In this podcast, Mike, Dave T., and Dave F. speak about a 9-month long international kidnapping of two Canadian citizens. The three negotiators share their experience during the months long negotiation, and how they managed their mental health struggles after the incident was over.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Mark Bouchard. Mark first joined the Delta Police Department in 2007 and in 2020, Mark left the Delta Police to join the RCMP. Currently, he is serving on RCMP's North District Emergency Response Team that he has been a part of since March 2021.

In this episode, Mark shares some of the life-changing experiences he has gone through throughout his career from patrol to ERT. He candidly speaks on how these experiences have impacted his mental health, what he has done to recover, and his advice to both leaders and first responders on what they can do to support others going through similar experiences or recover from these difficult experiences themselves.

Mark is working on a book about his experience and has a website with helpful resources for first responders. Check out Mark's website at https://markbouchard.ca/

In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Chris Bentley.

Chris and Chief Neil Dubord discuss the topic of vicarious trauma. You don't always have to be right on the front line to experience the side effects from a traumatic incident.

Chris shares his experience assisting with the wildfire effort in 2011 in Slave Lake, AB, and how it impacted his mental health in the years that followed. He speaks about the ups and downs he went through during and following the catastrophic event.

When we see despair all around us, we can be weighed down by the helplessness of the situation. Chris' story is one that will relate to many others. Be sure to not miss out on his powerful story.

The focus of today's episode is on creating positive situations out of the darkest moments. Joining Chief Neil Dubord today is Deepak Prasad, a Divisional Wellness Coordinator for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

April 18-19th, 2020 in Nova Scotia marked one of the darkest moments in the history of the province and the country. A gunman went on a rampage and took many innocent lives including the life of Constable Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two who had been with the RCMP for 23 years. On the morning of the 19th, Deepak's phone went off to 'steady-up' and deploy the peer support team to do everything that they could do to support their community.

In this episode, Deepak Prasad shares his experience of this event, the silver lining of the community coming together, the importance of being proactive in your wellness, and why you need a support structure. This is a deeply impactful conversation and episode you do not want to miss.

Get ready for another fascinating, powerful, and insightful episode of The Bend Don't Break podcast! This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Vancouver Fire Lieutenant Jenn Dawkins. Jenn has some incredible experience both in and out of her role as a firefighter and a powerful story of resilience that anybody can learn from.

Jenn's story is one that anyone could relate to. She speaks about the challenges of being one of seven women that were a part of an 800-person organization, her firefighting career, the health challenges she has faced and overcome, and the strategies she has put in place to keep her physically and mentally well. No matter what your journey in mental health and wellness may look like, Jenn's story is one not to miss.

Welcome back to the Bend Don't Break podcast! Chief Neil Dubord is welcoming RCMP Sergeant Major Sebastien Lavoie to this episode.

Sgt. Major Lavoie's career highlights include the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program and the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team.

In their conversation together, Sgt. Major Lavoie talks about his career journey, the lessons he has learned through difficult experiences and the recovery plan that he developed to ensure people on his team were provided with enough support through critical incidents. He also shares how to build resilience without trauma, and how to build your emotional IQ.

If you're a leader or colleague of someone who is going through a difficult time right now this episode will be particularly impactful for you.

This episode is part two of the two-part series with Lt. Joshua Bitsko from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

In the first part of the series, Josh recounts the day of the October 1st, 2017 Las Vegas shooting as one of the first responders on the scene. He took listeners moment-by-moment from when he first received the call up to finding the shooter deceased in his room.

In this episode, Josh shares further insight into his mindset, emotions, and mentality during and post-incident. He also speaks about the key lessons he learned about resiliency, and the pieces that played the most important roles in helping him heal and move forward.

His body cam footage from the incident can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlrwOaQTuFw

• Personal growth and resilience are essential in overcoming grief and trauma.
• Effective communication and emotional intelligence are key in supporting relationships with those experiencing mental health challenges.
• Seeking help early and often, and being open about mental health, can save lives.
• Reflection and goal-setting are important for personal growth and motivation.
• Sharing stories and connecting with others can provide support and inspiration.

Today is a special episode for the Bend Don't Break podcast. Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Lt. Joshua Bitsko from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, who recounts the day of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival.

Lt. Bitsko takes listeners moment-by-moment from when he first received the call, to finding the shooter deceased in his room.

Be sure to tune in to our next episode, where Josh shares further insight into his mindset, emotions, and mentality during and after the crisis.

*This episode contains graphic language.* In this episode, Cst. Mike Willford of the Abbotsford Police Department joins the podcast to share his personal story on compassion fatigue.

Mike and Chief Neil Dubord discuss Mike's experience of being the 'helper', but not seeking help for himself and how that led to physical symptoms he could not ignore.

His story is a unique but common one in the sense that there was no one, single event that stood out or led to his symptoms; it was the small incidents that added up over time.

In this episode, Chief Neil Dubord is excited to be joined by two guests who are both long-time Edmonton Police Service members, Colleen Mooney and Glen Klose. In this episode, Glen and Colleen discuss how Edmonton Police look after their members after traumatic events on the job, and how for the past 11 years, the department's Reintegration Program has been helping police officers get back to work.

On this episode of Bend Don't Break, host Chief Neil Dubord speaks to the founder of the Vancouver chapter of Beyond the Blue about the need for more peer support for family members of police officers.

As the spouse of a Vancouver Police officer, Erica McKeddie founded Beyond the Blue after tragedy touched her family and her extended police family. Erica shares her story about how Beyond the Blue is working to strengthen and support law enforcement families.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police Constable (Cst.) Josh Harms joins the podcast to discuss his recovery after he was shot while on duty in early 2019. After going through this traumatic event, Cst. Harms returned to work, concentrating not on the number of days it took to return, but the work he put into his recovery, resiliency, and mindset.

A 20 year RCMP officer, Rob Farrer recognized the need for more awareness associated with post-traumatic stress disorder amongst first responders. Rob took it upon himself to hike 1 kilometer for every fallen officer of the RCMP -  239 kilometers in 56.5 hours, over the course of three straight days.

Rob shares his process of why he decided to do the walk, what the walk was like, and what happened as a result.

After a 21-year career with B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), Cst. Julien Ponsioen joined the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, serving Vancouver's Downtown Community area as a Neighbourhood Police Officer. In this episode, Julien speaks about the adversities he's faced on and off the job, including trauma while with EHS, as well as coming to terms, and coming out as gay to family and colleagues.

Edmonton Police Service 20 year veteran, Gary Benoit shares a common story that most first responders can relate to - the impact that day-to-day stress can play on one's health and wellness. Gary shares lessons on facing these challenges head-on, and how to discover your 'why' and pave your path to recovery and self-improvement.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Edmonton Police Service

The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman

Bring About What You Think About, by Eddie LeMoine

Oola: Find Balance in an Unbalanced World — The Seven Areas You Need to Balance and Grow to Live the Life of Your Dreams, by Troy Amdahl and Dave Braun

Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families, by Kevin M. Gilmartin

In 2015, Sgt John Musicco, a 14 year veteran with the Victoria Police Department, took what started out as a fairly standard break-and-enter call. The events following were anything further from standard. In the 3 ½ years that followed, John went through a process that, to this day, remains a big part of his life. His story is incredibly invaluable to hear and learn from. He shares the significant hurdles he faced, the strategies he used to cope and move forward, his key lessons, and advice

Key Takeaways:

[:45] Chief Neil Dubord welcomes John Musicco on to the podcast and kicks off the episode with an easy question: what did he have for breakfast?

[1:26] About today's guest, John Musicco.

[1:59] John speaks about his background in policing at the Victoria Police Department.

[5:48] John tells the story of the significant call that came in November 2014 and the events that followed.

[14:11] John speaks about what was going through his head at the time of the incident.

[16:28] John speaks about the days and weeks that followed after the incident.

[19:41] Chief Neil Dubord explains the general process that follows after a critical injury or death.

[20:50] John speaks more about his experience following the incident and details the timeline of the event.

[22:19] Was John back at work during this whole process? And was VPD supportive?

[23:23] John speaks about the counseling he received.

[24:26] John speaks about how his family was feeling during this time.

[25:35] How long was John off work for? And did he take any more work off further down the line due to this incident?

[27:05] How long did it take to get an answer from the IIO?

[28ish] Did he feel he went back to work too soon?

[29:22] John speaks about the moment he broke down and discovered how he was going to start working through it and learn how to cope.

[33:50] John shares the information he received from the IIO 2 years after the incident.

[34:57] How is the media reacting to all of this?

[35:20] Did John know about all the processes he'd have to go through after the IIO?

[36:35] John speaks about the process of the coroner's inquest.

[38:15] How was John was able to cope throughout this entire process? What were some of his strategies?

[41:34] John shares the results of the coroner's request.

[42:40] Chief Neil Dubord reiterates John's journey, key lessons, and advice.

[45:53] Aaron Hill chimes in to speak about his own experience with a similar incident.

[46:55] John gives his advice on letting your family in on the whole process.

[47:53] Chief Neil Dubord highlights some more key lessons from John's story.

[49:15] Chief Neil Dubord summarizes John's key strategies.

[49:36] Chief Neil Dubord thanks John for telling his story on the podcast.

[49:45] Aaron Hill comments on John's story and also thanks him for joining.

[50:05] Why John wanted to share his story on the podcast today.

[50:46] Chief Neil Dubord awards John with a commitment coin.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Greens Plus

Victoria Police Department

IIO

OPCC

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

• Police officers need to be taught about their own psychology and humanity to better handle the challenges they face and keep the public safe.
• Individuals should take proactive action and be active participants in their own mental health.
• The stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement needs to be reduced to encourage officers to seek help.
• Lethal force decisions are complex and officers need more training and support to navigate these situations.
• Society needs to differentiate between non-culpable homicides and murder in cases of suicide by cop. Educating the public and police officers about the realities of police work can lead to better outcomes in incidents and help officers process traumatic experiences.
• The decision to use lethal force is a difficult one for officers, but they can find solace in knowing they are keeping their community safe.
• Incident commanders and leaders need to be prepared to make critical decisions, and training in instant command and critical thinking is crucial.
• Addressing mental health and wellness within police organizations is essential, as officers face higher rates of mental health disorders and suicide.
• Creating a culture that reduces stigma around mental health and encourages officers to seek help is important for their well-being and the well-being of the organization.
• Officers can develop healthy coping strategies and find meaning in their experiences to promote post-traumatic growth and resilience.

Mark Bouchard grew up in Delta, and joined the Delta Police Department as a police officer in 2007, after a few years as a volunteer in the Delta Police Reserve Program. Mark worked primarily in patrol and on the Emergency Response Team, prior to his departure in 2020 for the RCMP. Since then, Mark has continued to work patrol and Emergency Response, until his recent promotion into the RCMP'S National Tactical Medicine Program. He has also completed a master's degree in leadership with a focus on police culture and the impacts on police officer mental health. Mark has combined his experiences and research into a book that he published on Amazon in 2023. It is called Setting My Sights on Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind, where he shares what he learned as he recovered from his PTSD diagnosis, with a goal to help other people.

Today's story is an incredible one — but even more incredible is the resiliency today's guest shows through his journey over the last several years. 

Ryan (Chopper) Masales started as a police officer in 2001 at the Vancouver Police Department. He worked there for 11 years before he transferred to Abby PD in 2010. He spent the major part of his career working as a undercover operator and is well known in the policing world for his knowledge of drugs. Chopper has been a good friend of the Delta Police Department for a long time — helping them through many significant investigations with his incredible undercover work. He's done many wonderful things to help keep our community safe. To this day, he continues to work at the JIBC by delivering lectures to the new recruits related to drugs and UC work. 

On August 26th, 2016, Ryan suffered a seizure while at work. He was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital where a subsequent scan revealed a tumor in the left lower quadrant of his brain. Surgeons were able to safely remove 95% of his tumor but a biopsy of the tumor later revealed the devastating news that Ryan has Glioblastoma Multiforme: Stage 4, Terminal Brain Cancer. The expected survival rate of this form of cancer is no longer than 5 years and Chopper has just passed 3 years living with this disease. Though Chopper has come to terms with the fact that his life will probably not be spared, he has promised his family that he will continue to fight the fight. 

To say today's episode is a powerful one is an understatement. The resiliency Chopper shows and the story he shares cannot be put into words — so we hope you all will listen in.

Chopper's family has created a Go Fund Me page to help raise $200,000 to get him to Arizona for treatment at the Ivy Brain Tumor Centre. 

If you want to support Chopper in the fight for his life, please go to: GoFundMe.com/f/Fight-Chopper.

Key Takeaways:

[:35] About today's incredible episode.

[:55] Chief Neil Dubord gives his thanks to listeners and shares a special story from a fellow police officer listener.

[2:25] Chopper and Chief Neil Dubord provide some background on Chopper's career as a police officer as well as his medical condition that first showed up in August, 2016.

[4:25] Chopper speaks about his career as a police officer and the passion he had for the various positions he held.

[9:00] Taking a look further into his career, Chopper speaks about his involvement in Project Starboard with DPD in 2016.

[16:14] Taking us to August 2016, Chopper recalls the day he learned about his brain tumor.

[25:17] Chopper shares the experience of receiving his diagnosis.

[34:42] Chopper shares some of his experiences living with glioblastoma.

[39:56] Chopper speaks about what he has done to manage his glioblastoma and general health.

[45:00] Chopper speaks about one of his other passions: art!

[49:34] What Chopper wants his legacy to be.

[55:00] Chopper's wife, Estelize, speaks about her experiences as a police officer and her perspective on their journey together.

[1:03:57] Chopper shares a valuable story about Keith Logan from the BC Municipal Undercover Program (BCMUP).

[1:15:54] Chopper expresses how important social support has been during his journey.

[1:18:02] Chief Neil Dubord highlights some important pieces from Chopper's story.

[1:19:35] Aaron Hill thanks Chopper for sharing his story on the podcast and shares his thoughts.

[1:20:20] Chief Neil Dubord thanks Chopper for joining the podcast and presents him with a commitment coin.

Mentioned in this Episode:

GoFundMe.com/f/Fight-Chopper

Chopper's Instagram: @Choppermxforlife

FightChopper.Wordpress.com

Vancouver Police Department
Carolyn Sinclair - Manager of the Provincial Overdose Mobile Response Team

Project Starboard

Glioblastoma

Gord Downie

Marc Roy Tattoo Artist

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

Today on Bend Don't Break, your host Chief Neil Dubord is interviewing someone from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) — a first for the podcast! Cathleen Falebrinza is an RCMP officer who first was trained at the RCMP training academy, 'Depot', in 2004. When she graduated in 2005, she was posted to Quesnel, British Columbia where she met her future husband, Stuart, who she now has been married to for 14 years and has two stepdaughters with.

In 2014 however, life as she knew it changed forever. During her time in the Chilliwack Serious Crime Unit she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis — a lung disease she was told could not be cured and would get progressively worse until she died from it. Cathleen didn't let this news stop her however. She continued to go to work and was fitted with an oxygen change on her back that she had to change out 3-4 times a day. She soon learned that having a double lung transplant would be the only way to continue living.

The incredible resiliency and passion Cathleen displays through her story is powerful. Her ability to come back in such a strong and dynamic way after facing such challenges and contribute in such a meaningful way to the community is second to none.

Tune in to hear about Cathleen's journey as she speaks about how she faced this incredibly challenging and life-changing health concern, how she balanced work, what helped most in her recovery — from her colleague's support to physical therapy, and where she is today with everything.

Key Takeaways:

[:40] About today's episode and guest, Cathleen Falebrinza.

[1:14] Chief Neil Dubord reads a few of the emails they've received about the podcast!

[3:07] Cathleen speaks about her role as an RCMP officer and her journey to getting to that role.

[4:29] Cathleen shares what she was experiencing at the time when she was becoming sick and the ultimate deciding factor in her deciding to seek help/get diagnosed.

[7:13] Getting her diagnosis and what her life was like immediately after.

[10:08] Cathleen speaks about what this diagnosis meant for her career.

[11:17] Why did Cathleen immediately decide to go back to work after her diagnosis?

[12:13] What Cathleen change anything now about this situation if she could?

[12:35] Cathleen speaks about showing up to work with an oxygen tank on her back.

[13:12] During this time does Cathleen go to see any counselors or psychologists?

[13:49] Did Cathleen have any days of, "Why me?" How did she get through them?

[15:22] Cathleen elaborates on the organ donation odds and process.

[15:47] After receiving her diagnosis, how long did Cathleen work for?

[16:45] How did Cathleen receive oxygen when she was asleep at home?

[17:08] How much did this all cost?

[17:50] How the organization helped reduce Cathleen's stresses related to her diagnosis.

[19:29] Does Cathleen believe everyone would receive the same treatment she did from the organization?

[20:40] How long was Cathleen at home for, waiting for a transplant?

[20:46] Cathleen tells the story of her transplant experience.

[25:14] What is Cathleen's husband's memory of the transplant experience?

[25:35] Waking up with a new pair of lungs: Cathleen shares her experience.

[28:00] Cathleen speaks about her family support at the time.

[28:58] What was her doctor at the time saying to Cathleen?

[29:11] What helped Cathleen's lungs begin to work?

[29:32] Does Cathleen know who's lungs she has?

[29:47] How does it feel to have new lungs? How does she feel toward the donor?

[30:50] 2 ½ years into receiving her new lungs, how does Cathleen feel now?

[31:47] Back at work, Cathleen speaks about the kind of work she is now doing.

[32:53] Cathleen speaks about life in general and reflects on the news of her diagnosis and learning that she needed an organ donor.

[34:24] Cathleen speaks more about the importance of becoming an organ donor.

[35:00] What Cathleen thinks helped keep her resilient and positive and be able to make it through to the other side.

[36:05] Chief Neil Dubord highlights some key parts within Cathleen's story.

[38:03] Cathleen gives a quick shout-out to the colleagues that supported her during this difficult time.

[38:48] How physical activity had a huge impact on Cathleen's health both physically and mentally.

[41:00] Chief Neil Dubord summarizes some of the key pieces in Cathleen's story that helped with her recovery and Cathleen brings up a few more key pieces.

[42:27] Chief Neil Dubord gives his many thanks to Cathleen.

[43:13] Chief Neil Dubord presents Cathleen with a commitment coin.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

Bend Don't Break Episode: "The Challenge of a Lifetime: Sergeant Ray Athwal's Wait for a New Heart"

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

Today's guest is Lane Douglas Hunt. Lane has been a member with the Victoria Police Department since 2008. She has spent most of her career on the front lines in patrol where she was on the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team for 6 years. Currently, she serves as the Explosives Technician, a Detective in the Special Victims Unit, and a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Outside of work, Lane and her amazing husband, Jeff, are parents to 2 dogs, 50 chickens, a 700-gallon reef tank, and 5 honey bee hives! When they aren't lifting weights or farming they are riding their Harleys on beautiful Vancouver Island together.

In this episode, Lane has an amazing story to share that displays incredible resiliency. The incident happened back in 2011 when she was just a junior member at 24 years old with less than 2 ½ years on the job. Her day started off like any other. She spent the morning filing paperwork and was called to a routine call at a 7-Eleven for someone who reportedly stole a chocolate bar. This routine call took a turn for the worst when she was targeted for a spontaneous attack.

In this powerful story that Lane shares with listeners, she details out all of the events that took place, what she gained from these experiences, and her advice to others. She also speaks about the post-traumatic stress that came with it, but mostly her post-traumatic growth and how she managed to reduce her stress.

Key Takeaways:

[:49] Chief Neil Dubord thanks listeners for their recent feedback and ratings on iTunes.

[1:37] Chief Neil Dubord thanks the team behind the Bend Don't Break podcast.

[1:57] If you have your own story of resilience you'd like to share on the podcast, you can get in touch with the team at DeltaPolice.ca/Podcast or send them an email at media@deltapolice.ca. 

[2:18] About today's episode and guest, Lane Douglas Hunt.

[3:09] Chief Neil Dubord welcomes Lane to the podcast!

[3:26] What did Lane have for breakfast this morning?

[3:36] Lane's motivation for staying in shape!

[4:32] What types of movies are Lane's favourite?

[5:17] Lane gives some background to the story she's going to tell.

[7:35] Did Lane always want to be a police officer?

[8:55] Lane begins her story that started with a standard, one-man-job call in January 2011, and ended with her sustaining (what she thought at the time to be life-threatening) injuries.

[24:55] Lane continues her story from when she got taken to the hospital after her injuries (the support she received from fellow officers, the treatment she received, and what this situation meant for her going forward).

[30:38] Lane speaks about what she did — as well as what her department did — to help reintegrate her back into work.

[32:30] Lane tells us about what she went on to do after recovering from her injury.

[34:26] Lane elaborates on what was happening for her personally and emotionally when she got back to work and explains the PTSD she was experiencing.

[40:48] Lane speaks about her lowest low: getting removed from the ERT team.

[44:56] How Lane turned things around for herself (with some help from Brian Willis).

[48:12] What else played a role in Lane recovering and beginning to feel a lot better?

[52:37] Chief Neil Dubord highlights some key takeaways from Lane's story.

[52:10] Lane speaks about the road that got her back to where she needed to be.

[54:55] How long was Lane off from work the second time? Would she have given herself more time to get back to work in hindsight?

[57:20] Lane shares how mindfulness played a big part in her recovery.

[58:44] Chief Neil Dubord summarizes the timeline of Lane's story.

[59:16] Lane speaks about what happened when she lost her position on the ERT team and was back on patrol in her old position.

[1:01:55] Chief Neil Dubord highlights some more key takeaways from Lane's story.

[1:03:13] Aaron joins the podcast and gives his thoughts on Lane's story.

[1:05:41] Chief Neil Dubord rewards Lane with a commitment coin for sharing her incredible story on the podcast.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Bosch (Amazon Prime TV series)

Brian Willis

Bob Delaney

Surviving the Shadows: A Journey of Hope into Post-Traumatic Stress, by Bob Delaney and Dave Scheiber

Bend Don't Break Episode: "When a Routine Call Turns Life-Threatening: Constable Craig Look's Story"
Ten Percent Happier App

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

In this week's episode of Bend, Don't Break another firefighter joins the podcast! Erik Bjarnason is a career firefighter with the North Vancouver City Fire Department, who has recently retired. He is also a long-time member of North Shore Rescue and an avid mountaineer. Erik has climbed mountains in Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and South America; completed a month-long dogsled trip in the Arctic to the magnetic North Pole; and explored the entire length of the Amazon from the highest point in Bolivia to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Today, Erik is sharing the story of the most impactful expedition he went on that almost turned fatal. The aftermath of this expedition left him missing all of his fingers and one of his thumbs. His family was told to be prepared for the worst. 

Listen in to hear how he overcame challenges related to the loss of his fingers such as alcohol addiction, conflict in the workplace, and ultimately finding ways to alleviate his stress, recovery, getting back to work, and more.

Key Takeaways:

[:40] Chief Neil Dubord welcomes Erik Bjarnason to the podcast.

[1:04] What did Erik have for breakfast today?

[1:28] Erik speaks about his background as a firefighter.

[2:30] Erik tells the incredible story of how he lost all of his fingers and one thumb.

[5:00] Erik speaks about the lasting impacts (of the expedition that took his fingers) on his colleagues.

[6:09] How long was Erik in the hospital after this expedition?

[7:38] Erik speaks about the grave news his family received when he was in the hospital.

[8:19] Erik shares what was going through his mind when he thought he potentially might lose his job due to the injuries he sustained during the expedition.

[10:04] Erik speaks about some of the dark days during his healing and how he coped.

[11:13] Erik speaks about where his main support came from and what ultimately helped him get back to work.

[12:15] How long did it take for Erik to get back to work?

[12:28] When was Erik's first expedition back?

[13:10] Erik shares some of his interactions with his colleagues when he got back to work.

[13:58] How Erik coped with withdrawing from his coworkers and feeling isolated.

[16:25] What changed in Erik's life to flip the switch and change his life around.

[18:18] How Erik got the helped he needed through a motorcycle club.

[22:08] Is Erik still friends with the people from the motorcycle club that helped him get better?

[21:03] Erik explains the controversial photo and article that destroyed the club overnight.

[24:12] Did Erik witness anything 'nefarious' at this club from his own experience?

[24:35] How Erik regained the use of his left hand through Naked Prosthetics.

[27:31] How Erik developed through these experiences

[29:04] Erik speaks about his retirement and what he's doing now.

[30:15] Chief Neil Dubord highlights some of the key lessons from this week's episode.

[31:19] Why having a purpose makes all the difference in the world.

[31:55] Erik speaks about how you're the only one who can haul yourself out of your dark days.

[32:58] Chief Neil Dubord thanks Erik for joining him in this episode.

[34:07] Aaron Hill joins the podcast and gives his thoughts.

[35:31] Chief Neil Dubord presents a commitment coin to Erik Bjarnason and thanks him once again for joining Bend, Don't Break today!

Mentioned in this Episode:

North Vancouver City Fire Department

North Shore Rescue

Naked Prosthetics

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

Joining the Bend, Don't Break Podcast today is Geoff Young. Geoff is 42 years old and has been with the Delta Police Department for 12 years. Prior to joining Delta Police, he served in the infantry in the Canadian Armed Forces in New Brunswick with the Royal Canadian Regiment. He was also a Corrections Officer at Surrey Pre-Trial Services Centre, as well as a commercial pilot for both land and seaplanes. 

In today's episode, Geoff transparently shares his incredibly courageous story centered around his struggle with opioid addiction. Geoff speaks about the struggles with managing complications from Crohn's disease which led to multiple hospital stays and surgeries, and how the narcotics he was given for 23 months threw his life into a downward spiral. 

From reintegrating work, having tough conversations, the importance of receiving support, to coming out on top of your struggle by 'owning it,' and more — you don't want to miss this week's episode and the key lessons Geoff shares!

Key Takeaways:

[:40] Chief Neil Dubord welcomes Geoff Young to the podcast.

[1:05] Chief Neil Dubord reads a comment from a listener!

[2:21] Geoff Young begins telling his story, starting with an illness he sought medical attention for as well as managing Crohn's disease.

[6:30] Geoff talks about the emotional side of his addiction to opioids due to his medical condition.

[11:03] Geoff speaks about what's happening at work while all of this is going on.

[12:42] What happened after Geoff wasn't getting enough opioids from his medical prescriptions.

[15:37] Life after recovery: receiving criminal charges for altering prescriptions, a police act investigation, learning that he was not getting fired, and receiving treatment.

[17:48] Geoff speaks about what supported him during these stressful times and what gave him the strength to continue.

[19:28] Did Geoff find it bumpy to get reintegrated back into work?

[21:57] Chief Neil Dubord highlights some key lessons and takeaways from Geoff's story thus far.

[22:50] How "owning it" and having the tough conversations was key in Geoff's recovery.

[26:15] How long has Geoff been back at work? And how is he feeling today?

[27:25] Chief Neil Dubord summarizes the key lessons from Geoff's story.

[28:08] Geoff brings up another key lesson from his recovery.

[30:15] Chief Neil Dubord highlights an important aspect from today's episode.

[30:58] Where to go through the details of Geoff's trial.

[31:33] Aaron Hill pops into the podcast and thanks Geoff for coming in and highlights his favorite key takeaway.

[33:02] Chief Neil Dubord gives thanks to Geoff Young for sharing his story in this episode.

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.