From critical incidents to promotional blockers

n this episode, Brad Grieve shares his journey from a childhood in Sydney to a career in police service, highlighting key lessons learned along the way. He discusses the realities of police work, leadership, and the importance of procedural accuracy in high-stakes situations. In this episode, Brad shares his profound experiences dealing with trauma, police procedures, and the mental health challenges faced by officers after critical incidents. His insights shed light on the emotional toll of police work and the need for better support systems.

Brad Grieve's early life and career path The importance of procedural accuracy in policing Leadership and team building in police work Experiences with trauma and high-stakes situations Training and skill development in firearms and tactics Community engagement and police culture Lessons learned from major events like G20 Police trauma and mental health Critical incident response and procedures Support systems for officers after traumatic events Impact of investigations and coronial processes on officers The importance of peer support and debriefing in policing

takeaways

Procedural accuracy can be the difference between success and failure in police operations Strong leadership and team morale are crucial in high-pressure situations Training should be continuous and realistic to prepare officers for real-world challenges Understanding community dynamics enhances police effectiveness Personal growth often comes from challenging and traumatic experiences Traumatic police incidents have lasting emotional effects that are often unspoken. Support systems like peer presence and buddy systems can make a difference. The process of investigation and coronial hearings can be retraumatizing for officers. Policing culture often discourages discussing mental health struggles. Proactive career planning and support are vital for officer well-being.

00:00 Introduction and Brad Gree's background 02:09 Early life and career choices 04:56 Joining the police force and initial experiences 09:58 Training, skills, and leadership development 20:11 Major events and operational challenges 29:48 Trauma, decision-making, and procedural lessons 40:06 Reflections on police culture and community 50:09 Key takeaways and advice for officers 54:29 - Support from senior officers and ambulance response 57:31 - Separation, debrief process, and waiting for interviews 62:25 - Going home after the incident and the physical exhaustion 66:10 - No immediate trauma, but lingering questions and a coronial process 74:41 - Coroner’s hearing two years later and giving evidence in court 78:09 - Reading the 26 page coronial findings report 81:04 - Why Brad questioned the need to attend the job in the first place 84:32 - How he thinks police should support officers after critical incidents 87:03 - Staying in general duties for his whole career 92:29 - Why progression was so hard for competent general duties officers 97:46 - Another confronting job near the end of service 100:05 - No pension or gold card style support after leaving QPS 100:32 - Security, close protection, Uber, and landing in grounds work 102:18 - From employment to property maintenance