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Blue Grit Podcast: The Voice of Texas Law Enforcement

Blue Grit Podcast: The Voice of Texas Law Enforcement

Hosted by The Voice of Texas Law Enforcement

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Episodes

157

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

2024: Ranked #1 Law Podcast Host: Tyler Owen and Clint McNear discussing topics, issues, and stories within the law enforcement community. TMPA is the voice of Texas Law Enforcement, focused on protecting those who serve. Since 1950, we have been defending the rights and interests of Texas Peace Officers by providing the best legal assistance in the country, effective lobbying at state and local levels, affordable training, and exemplary member support. As the largest law enforcement association in Texas, TMPA is proud to represent 33,000 local, county and state law enforcement officers.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 5, 2026Episode 13718 min

#137- "Politics, Paychecks and Policing the Valley" with Weslaco POA and Javier Lara

Send us Fan MailPolice officers across the Rio Grande Valley face a growing challenge: Cities are expanding, workloads are increasing, and salaries continue to fall behind. Recorded at the 2026 Texas FOP and TMPA Joint Conference in Dallas, Weslaco Police Officers Association board members Christian Tamez, Eric Rangel, Pete Garcia, Paul Vega, and Leonel Cantu discuss pay disparity, city politics, benefits, salary negotiations, and the realities of policing South Texas.The board also explains why attending the TMPA Conference matters beyond the social events. Voting, training, networking, and direct conversations with association leaders help shape TMPA’s priorities and give local associations stronger tools to address leadership concerns, salary surveys, benefit packages, and negotiations.Javier Lara also joins the episode to discuss his new role as a part-time TMPA Field Representative serving the Valley. He shares the experiences and critical incidents that shaped his commitment to helping officers and explains why the strongest advocacy comes from people who have walked the same halls. Listen, subscribe, and tell us: What is the biggest barrier to fair police pay where you work?Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

July 14, 2026Episode 13631 min

#136- "More Than a Conference: Training, Family & Fellowship"

Send us Fan MailThe TMPA Conference is changing—and we’re not being subtle about it.In this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, TMPA Vice President Tyler Pride and Training Coordinator Jay McClellan break down the major changes coming to the 2026 TMPA/TXFOP Joint Conference in Dallas, July 24–26.If you have ever attended a law enforcement conference that felt rushed, awkward, or divided between too many competing priorities, this episode explains the exact fixes being made—and why.First, we cover the experience upgrades. Cop Karaoke is back, Casino Night has been redesigned to give attendees more time to mingle, and the live auction is moving to immediately after Sunday’s banquet so the weekend flows naturally without cutting the fun short.At the heart of every change is one goal: building relationships. First-time attendees should feel welcomed from the moment they arrive, while longtime members should leave with stronger connections across Texas regions, agencies, and roles.We also preview eight hours of TCOLE-certified training, including a powerful human trafficking session led by a Texas expert alongside a survivor’s testimony. Attendees will also hear the State of the Association, receive a legislative outlook, and have opportunities to ask questions directly.The conversation also explores artificial intelligence in law enforcement, including data protection, responsible investigative use, and labor-side safeguards such as due process and proper notification—ensuring new technology does not become a shortcut to discipline.For those bringing family, the conference will feature spouse events, including Purse Bingo, a new spouse social hour, and Painting With a Twist.This is more than a conference. It is becoming a true family reunion for the Texas law enforcement community—filled with valuable training, meaningful networking, fellowship, and plenty of fun.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

June 4, 2026Episode 1351 hr 22 min

#135- "Shot Four Times, Then Forced to Fight Workers’ Comp" with Jaclyn Skinner

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, we sit down with Wood County Sgt. Jaclyn Skinner, whose life changed the moment she walked into a cluttered house to serve a warrant.Inside, she spotted a familiar tattoo through a partially open shower curtain.Then gunfire erupted.Sgt. Skinner was shot four times. In the middle of the chaos, she fought to survive and helped get her partner out alive.But the shooting was only the beginning.What came next was a brutal recovery, delayed treatment approvals, denied equipment, and a Texas workers’ compensation system that forced an injured officer to fight for the care she clearly needed.Joining this episode are John Wilkerson and Bryan Flatt from the Texas FOP and TMPA legislative team.Together, they break down why the system continues to fail injured first responders, how utilization reviews and contested case hearings can delay care, and why officers often cannot simply use their regular health insurance when workers’ comp stalls.They also explain the legislative fight to fix the system, including how a widely supported reform can pass the House and still die in the Senate.This conversation goes beyond one shooting.It exposes the physical, mental, and financial toll injured officers face after the headlines fade. We discuss PTSD, peer support, rural agency staffing, confidentiality concerns, and why fear of being labeled can keep officers from getting help.The message is simple:Getting shot should not be followed by getting denied.Injured officers should not have to battle the system after surviving the streets.And every officer who believes, “If I get hurt, they’ll take care of me,” needs to hear this episode.Hit play now. Subscribe, share this with a coworker, and help make sure injured officers are never left to fight alone.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

May 20, 2026Episode 13436 min

#134- "Social Media Mobs: What to Do" with Amanda Bolin, Anthony Rogers, and Leighton Guarnere

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, we take on a growing problem in law enforcement: how quickly social media mobs form before the facts are known.Recent incidents in Galveston and Arp show exactly how dangerous that can be.In Galveston, an officer-involved shooting was quickly met with online outrage, but the facts matter. The suspect, Randy Martin, was recently released from prison after being convicted of murder. He was not pulled from the vehicle. He got out on his own, fought the officer, caused injuries, and grabbed the officer’s weapon during the encounter. Aid was immediately rendered at the scene.In Arp, an officer investigating smoke and flames inside city limits was aggressively approached by dogs that came through a fence line. The landowner later admitted, “Everyone knows my dogs bite.” Instead of accountability, the officer, department, and chief became targets of online attacks and threats.Joining this episode are TMPA Executive Director Kevin Lawrence, Field Representative Leighton Guarnere, Regional Attorney Amanda Bolin, and Galveston Municipal Police Association President Anthony Rogers.Together, they break down how false narratives spread, how officers become targets before investigations are complete, and why associations must respond quickly, aggressively, and factually when members are under attack.The message is simple:Let the evidence come out. Let the investigation happen. Let the facts lead.But stop allowing social media mobs to convict officers for doing their jobs.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

May 7, 2026Episode 13334 min

#133- "A Tyrant Falls and Officers Rise" with Leighton Guarnere

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, TMPA Field Representative Leighton joins the show to break down two major developments for Texas law enforcement.First, Leighton discusses the recent victory in Texas City, where Mayor Dedrick Johnson lost his election, opening a long-awaited glimmer of hope for TMPA members and officers in that city. Leighton explains how Texas City officers reached this point, the challenges they have faced under hostile city leadership, and what this change could mean for the future of the department, the association, and the men and women who serve that community.Leighton also highlights a major win in Morgan’s Point, Texas, where the community rallied behind its police department and helped secure collective bargaining through a successful referendum. He explains the process, the work that went into earning public support, and how collective bargaining strengthens officers’ rights, working conditions, and long-term protections.This episode is a powerful look at what happens when officers stand united, communities show up, and TMPA helps lead the fight.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

April 22, 2026Episode 13256 min

#132- "When Family Falls and Duty Calls" with TXDPS Director Gabe Ortiz

Send us Fan MailFrom the battlefield… to the jail floor… to the front seat of a Texas DPS patrol unit — this is a story built on grit, sacrifice, and purpose.In this powerful episode, Texas DPS Regional Director Gabriel L. Ortiz sits down with Blue Grit to break down his remarkable 25-year journey in law enforcement. From his early days serving in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces, to working inside a county jail, to earning his badge as a Texas State Trooper, Director Ortiz has seen every level of the profession.He takes listeners inside his rise through the ranks — from Trooper to Special Agent, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major — as he leads complex investigations targeting gangs, narcotics, human trafficking, and violent crime across Texas.But this episode goes deeper than the badge.Director Ortiz opens up about a deeply personal chapter — his brother choosing a different path in life… one that ultimately ended in tragedy after being murdered by a rival gang. It’s a raw and powerful reminder of the realities law enforcement faces — not just professionally, but personally. (Check out this other powerful podcast about this story- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brothers-ortiz/id1858078657)This is more than a career story. It’s about leadership, loss, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to serve.You don’t want to miss this one.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

April 9, 2026Episode 13139 min

#131- "Court of Inquiry" with Doug O'Connell

Send us Fan MailBackroom deals. Evidence battles. A DA’s office under fire.We break down how to register for the TMPA/Texas FOP Conference and why full access puts you where the real influence happens. Mitch Landry delivers a Legislative update—because the fight at the Capitol is happening NOW. Clint McNear also jumps in, breaking down what to expect at the TMPA/TXFOP Conference and why you need to be there.But the core of this episode hits hard with Regional Attorney Doug O’Connell.Allegations against José Garza and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office raise serious questions: • Secret negotiations • Withheld evidence • Violations tied to the Brady Doctrine and the Michael Morton ActA motion to dismiss. A court of inquiry.This isn’t just Austin—this is about trust in the system.🎧 Subscribe. Share it. Stay informed.Link for Conference here- https://tmpa.org/tmpa/annualconferenceSupport the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

March 26, 2026Episode 13045 min

#130- "A Pfeil Good Judge" with Larry Pfeil

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, Host Tyler Owen and TMPA Field Representative Robby Campbell sit down with Polk County Judge candidate Larry Pfeil—not a courtroom judge, but the role that serves as the County’s chief executive. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Pfeil breaks down his vision for restoring leadership, prioritizing public safety, and driving real economic growth in Polk County. From supporting law enforcement to making decisions that impact every resident, this race is about who will lead the county forward.This isn’t politics as usual—it’s about taking Polk County back.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

March 3, 2026Episode 1291 hr 32 min

#129- "Minneapolis: The Story They Won’t Tell"

Send us Fan MailThis week, we’re exposing what’s really happening in Minneapolis. Minnesota FOP Spokesperson Kevin Rofidal joins Force Science’s Brian Baxter and Von Kliem for a hard-hitting breakdown of post-2020 policing—what changed, what didn’t, and what the public still gets wrong.We dig into burned precincts, shattered morale, and neighborhoods left without a true police presence. Then we move into the reality of split-second decisions: distorted body-cam angles, “apparent threat” in the eyes of the law, de-escalation mandates that don’t match real human performance, and the myths surrounding “officer-created jeopardy.”We also pull back the curtain on the latest ICE operations—doxxing maps, non-cooperation, political pressure, and how all of it impacts officer safety and community stability.If you want a straight-from-the-source look at modern policing in Minneapolis, this is the episode.Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who thinks they know the full story.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

February 17, 2026Episode 12852 min

#128- "Murphy's Law" with Lee Hon and Robby Campbell

Send us Fan MailA rural county’s safety net is only as strong as the deputies willing to hold the line.In Episode 128, we sit down with TMPA Regional Attorney and former Polk County District Attorney Lee Hon alongside TMPA Field Representative Robby Campbell to break down the growing controversy surrounding Polk County leadership and its impact on law enforcement.At the center of the discussion is Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy and the debate over Texas Senate Bill 22, a bill intended to help rural agencies raise salaries and remain competitive. We examine how Judge Murphy reduced the county-funded pay raise specifically for law enforcement because of SB22 funding, effectively offsetting the purpose of the state assistance.The episode follows the money from courthouse construction costs and elected officials’ pay increases to a grant-funded Public Defender’s Office that could exceed one million dollars annually once state funding sunsets. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office and jail face retention challenges, staffing shortages, and declining morale.We also touch on the Brady List as another topic impacting officers and accountability.Most importantly, we discuss solutions: transparent multi-year compensation plans, retention incentives, and leadership that honors the true intent of SB22.Public safety is a promise. Episode 128 asks whether that promise is being protected.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

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