Tactical Tangents

Chief Criminal Deputy County Attorney Jonathan Mosher (Pima County, Arizona) and Homicide Detective Josh Cheek share their lessons learned from taking serious violent offenders to trial and how police officers can be better witnesses. We also discuss the importance of establishing and retaining public trust by the way we investigate and prosecute crimes. Other Tangents include some commentary on the War on Drugs, the CSI effect, and considerations for arrest and charging decisions for law enforcement.

This episode isn’t for hardcore fitness gurus, it’s for people who realize they need to get off the couch, watch what they eat, and take those first steps toward getting in shape. We address fitness from the beginning for those who don’t fitness good. These are the first things you need to know about losing weight and getting in shape. It starts with getting over the mental hurdles you put in your own way, and then setting manageable goals and expectations.

Mike explains how the 911 systems work in a way that is helpful to both first responders and those who need help. There are a lot of ways we lose information in the call taking process so make sure your emergency call renders the response you need. We also talk about when to call and ways to communicate covertly with a dispatcher. 

Enjoy our interview with Veteran, Infantry Commander, Police Officer, former District Attorney, and leadership guru Judge Edward "Ned" Lee. Judge Lee recently retired after 28 years on the bench in California's Superior Court. Hear his stories and lessons from a distinct and varied background in the criminal justice system. 

Jim asks Mike about a handful of fights that he's been in as a police officer. Mike talks about his experiences early in life and how they led to him becoming a cop. This is not a complete police use of force episode but we scratch the surface and cover the basics. We also help apply those principles to self-defense. We touch briefly on de-escalation training and case law. Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode.

Mike and Jim give a rundown of the Los Angeles Riots and discuss the warning signs and implications of mass civil unrest. We also look into the term 'Boogaloo' making the rounds on the internet. Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. 

A husband and wife who pledged allegiance to ISIS carried out an attack that killed 14 people and wounded 22 others in San Bernardino, California. The shooters fled the scene and engaged in a lengthy gunfight with police when they were located some time later. Lt. Gary Schuelke of the SB Police Department shares the story of the event from start to finish, including accounts of the survivors and audio from the incident.

Mike and Jim went to SHOT Show (Shooting Hunting and Outdoors Trade Show) 2020 and wanted to experiment with field interviews, so we spent some time with our sponsors to showcase them and thank them for their support. If you guys like field interviews like this let us know so we can bring you more from the people you want to hear from next year - Click on the microphone at TacTangents.com and leave us your comments.

Dr. Michael Lauria was a United States Air Force Pararescueman (PJ), Flight Paramedic, Government Contractor, and is now doing his residency in Emergency Medicine at New Mexico's only trauma center. Michael talks with us about his passion for human factors and performance. We discuss checklists, cognitive tools, and training implications.  Question for the show? Head to our website and click on the microphone. Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode.

Our feelings on what resilience means in a tactical setting and how to make sure you are not an easy victim. Includes some thoughts on "resilience training" and where mental toughness comes from.  Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. 

Jim walks us through a series of rape scandals at the Air Force Academy, and discusses practical ways to prevent and respond to assaults. Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. 

First, a toast: This episode is dedicated to Airman First Class Kenneth "K3" Sturgill, an Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Specialist Trainee who perished in training as a result of heat stroke. K3's father, K2, shares some stories about his childhood and the man he was. We learn about the mishap and what steps the Air Force is taking to prevent this sort of thing in the future. To wrap up, Mike and Jim talk a little about heat stress and how to mitigate heat related injuries.

One of the most emotional stand-offs in US history is the one between the Weaver family and the FBI at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. This all started when a group of US Marshals were attempting to arrest Randy Weaver for a weapons offense. After an exchange of gunfire that left people on both sides dead, the FBI HRT responded to resolve the issue in what became one of the most polarizing cases that touched everything from gun control, the use of deadly force by law enforcement, and federal oversight and over-reach.

Jim lays out the planning you need to do before a disaster strikes - arguing for a sane approach to “prepping.” Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode.

This is the second time MJ has joined Mike and Jim on the show. Today we discussed some of the differences between Air Force and Marine Corps culture. Obviously very different - but MJ and Jim are both pilots so there are some similarities in that regard. There are reasons for both and they each have their advantages and disadvantages. We also discuss how this applies to other areas, and of course relate it all back to the philosophy of John Boyd.