Dr. Michelle Gundy | Police 2 Peace | 004

Dr. Michelle Gundy shares her journey from the military to earning a doctorate in organizational change and leadership. She discusses her research on trauma-informed policing and the importance of being trauma-informed in law enforcement. Dr. Gundy emphasizes the need for self-reflection and self-awareness in order to address and understand the impact of trauma. She also highlights the gap between research and practice in law enforcement and the importance of evidence-based policing. The conversation explores the concept of evidence-based practices in the fields of corrections and policing. It discusses the importance of relying on research and data to inform interventions and decision-making. The conversation also highlights the need for rehabilitation and long-term solutions in reducing violence and addressing mental health issues in correctional facilities. It emphasizes the challenges faced by small police departments in accessing research and training resources. The conversation touches on the topics of defunding the police, the militarization of police, and the role of nonprofits in supporting law enforcement. It concludes with advice on networking and setting goals for personal and professional growth.

keywords

veterans, employment, trauma-informed policing, organizational change, leadership, self-reflection, evidence-based policing, evidence-based practices, corrections, policing, violence reduction, mental health, rehabilitation, research, training, small police departments, defunding the police, militarization of police, nonprofits, networking, goal setting

takeaways

• Dr. Michelle Gundy transitioned from the military to earning a doctorate in organizational change and leadership.
• She conducted research on trauma-informed policing and the impact of trauma on law enforcement.
• Being trauma-informed means understanding how trauma impacts behavior and recognizing the signs of trauma in oneself and others.
• Self-reflection and self-awareness are crucial for personal growth and improvement.
• There is a gap between research and practice in law enforcement, and evidence-based policing is needed to bridge that gap. Evidence-based practices are crucial in developing effective interventions and decision-making in corrections and policing.
• Long-term solutions and rehabilitation are necessary in reducing violence and addressing mental health issues in correctional facilities.
• Small police departments face challenges in accessing research and training resources, leading to an evidence-to-action gap.
• Defunding the police may not be the solution, but rather increasing funding and resources for evidence-based practices.
• Nonprofits play a significant role in supporting law enforcement and bridging the gap between research and practice.
• Networking and setting goals are essential for personal and professional growth.

titles

• Understanding Trauma-Informed Policing
• The Importance of Self-Reflection and Self-Awareness The Role of Nonprofits in Supporting Law Enforcement
• Addressing Violence and Mental Health in Correctional Facilities

Sound Bites

• "If you're not reflecting back on the work you're doing, there's really no room for growth."
• "If everyone's telling me the same thing about my behavior and how it impacts them, maybe I'm the problem."
• "Police are starting to work. We're venturing into a modern era of policing and police are starting to listen to researchers and academics."
• "What do we know that works, right?"
• "Does it make them more violent in the long run? Absolutely."
• "What does evidence-based policing mean in terms of, is there a gap in the actual police force in doing evidence-based investigations now?"

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

03:18
Transitioning from the Military to a Doctorate

11:33
Research on Trauma-Informed Policing

25:15
The Gap Between Research and Practice in Law Enforcement

31:06
Evidence-Based Practices in Corrections and Policing

32:44
Addressing Violence and Mental Health in Correctional Facilities

34:35
Challenges Faced by Small Police Departments in Accessing Research and Training

39:28
Rethinking the Approach to Policing: Demilitarization and Rehabilitation

45:29
The Role of Nonprofits in Supporting Law Enforcement

55:17
Networking and Goal Setting for Personal and Professional Growth