The Next Shift Podcast
This is a podcast dedicated to serving current and former law enforcement, by sharing the stories of my own personal transition out of law enforcement, lessons learned through the transition and since, as well as the stories of officers who’ve also transitioned out, their significant others to gain that perspective, and resources for embracing their Next Shift.
It is MY mission to help YOU remember who you are/were behind the badge by helping you REdiscover your identity, REdefine your purpose, and REignite your passions so that you can create the life you WANT to live.
The Next Shift Podcast
Unprepared for the transition
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This week's episode is a conversation with David Berez, a retired LEO turned Founder of Six4 Consultants, an author, and media consultant.
David worked at his campus PD in college and as an EMT, then became a cop at 24 years old. He worked in the state of New Jersey and was a responder to 9/11, which he says gave him new perspective.
David served in various roles throughout his career, but DRE was his favorite because it was a mix of narcotics and community policing. During his 19th year on the job, he was part of an IA that took a toll on him and in his words, "broke him." He ended up retiring at 20 years, versus 25, with some encouragement from his wife.
David admitted his transition was not graceful and that he left burned out, empty, and without the ability to love. He was NOT prepared for the transition and it took years to get back to a version of himself he was comfortable with and that his family deserved. The hardest part of David's transition was understanding and finding his purpose. David talked about how liberating it felt to put in his retirement papers, but how hard it was to drive out of the parking lot on his last day.
When talking about his retirement, David talked about being able to process the emotional side of the transition because there was no financial strain to deal with. After a couple of months being retired, his wife asked him what he was going to do.
David went back to school and earned a Master's Degree is Applied Positive Psychology and now teaches/facilitates courses on Positive Psychology for law enforcement, through his Courageous Optimism training series. He also teaches the science of storytelling and how it can be used to identify purpose and meaning.
When asked what his advice was for those struggling with the "Just a cop" mindset, he acknowledged that it's a valid feeling. Sit with it and find your purpose/meaning statement.
Make sure you connect with David on LinkedIn, here and Instagram, here. You can also check out his website, here.
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See you Next Shift