Heroes Behind the Badge
Heroes Behind the Badge
Podcast Description
From the front lines to the final call, Heroes Behind the Badge brings you the untold stories of America's law enforcement community. Led by Craig Floyd, who spent 34 years working alongside police officers across the nation, alongside veteran facilitator Dennis Collins and law enforcement expert Bill Erfurth, this podcast cuts through misconceptions to reveal the true nature of modern policing.
Our dynamic trio brings unique perspectives to each episode: Craig shares deep insights from his decades of experience and relationships within law enforcement, Dennis guides conversations with meticulous research and natural flow, and Bill adds engaging commentary that makes complex law enforcement topics accessible to all listeners.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with law enforcement professionals, sharing their firsthand experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Drawing from extensive research and real-world experience, we explore the realities faced by the over 800,000 officers who serve and protect our communities every day.
From dramatic accounts of crisis response to quiet moments of everyday heroism, our show illuminates the human stories behind the badge. We dive deep into the statistics, policies, and practices that shape modern law enforcement, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of what it truly means to serve in law enforcement today.
Whether you're a law enforcement professional, a concerned citizen, or someone seeking to understand the complexities of modern policing, Heroes Behind the Badge provides the context, insights, and authentic perspectives you won't find anywhere else. Join us weekly as we honor those who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe, one story at a time.
Presented by Citizens Behind the Badge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for law enforcement professionals across the United States. Join over 126,000 Americans who have already signed our Declaration of Support for law enforcement at behindbadge.org.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers critical themes related to law enforcement, focusing on the realities and challenges faced by police officers. Episodes explore firsthand accounts from law enforcement professionals, such as Chief Steven Sund's detailed experiences during the January 6th Capitol riot, while also discussing relevant topics like mental health, public perception, and the implications of current policies affecting policing.

From the front lines to the final call, Heroes Behind the Badge brings you the untold stories of America’s law enforcement community. Led by Craig Floyd, who spent 34 years working alongside police officers across the nation, alongside veteran facilitator Dennis Collins and law enforcement expert Bill Erfurth, this podcast cuts through misconceptions to reveal the true nature of modern policing.
Our dynamic trio brings unique perspectives to each episode: Craig shares deep insights from his decades of experience and relationships within law enforcement, Dennis guides conversations with meticulous research and natural flow, and Bill adds engaging commentary that makes complex law enforcement topics accessible to all listeners.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with law enforcement professionals, sharing their firsthand experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Drawing from extensive research and real-world experience, we explore the realities faced by the over 800,000 officers who serve and protect our communities every day.
From dramatic accounts of crisis response to quiet moments of everyday heroism, our show illuminates the human stories behind the badge. We dive deep into the statistics, policies, and practices that shape modern law enforcement, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of what it truly means to serve in law enforcement today.
Whether you’re a law enforcement professional, a concerned citizen, or someone seeking to understand the complexities of modern policing, Heroes Behind the Badge provides the context, insights, and authentic perspectives you won’t find anywhere else. Join us weekly as we honor those who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe, one story at a time.
Presented by Citizens Behind the Badge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for law enforcement professionals across the United States. Join over 126,000 Americans who have already signed our Declaration of Support for law enforcement at behindbadge.org.
On January 6, 2021, the failure wasn’t a lack of warning.
It wasn’t a lack of experience.
It was a failure of permission.
In this episode of Heroes Behind the Badge, former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund takes listeners inside the command center as the attack on the Capitol unfolded—minute by minute, decision by decision.
Chief Sund explains what he saw in real time, why requests for reinforcements were delayed, and how structural and legal constraints prevented immediate action while officers were being overrun. He walks through what has since changed, what has not, and where accountability still remains unclear.
The conversation also examines the aftermath: political fallout, scapegoating, nondisclosure agreements, unanswered questions about intelligence and response, and the personal cost of being reduced to a single day in history.
This is not a partisan argument or a retrospective built on hindsight. It is a sober, first-hand account of leadership under constraint—and a candid discussion about what happens when responsibility is assigned without authority.
By the end of this episode, the listener is left with a clearer understanding of how fragile public safety becomes when systems fail, and what leaders must do to protect both their people and the truth when the pressure is highest.
Learn more or get involved:
- https://citizensbehindthebadge.org
- Listen to more episodes of Heroes Behind the Badge.
Like, Subscribe, and Share to support the men and women who serve behind the badge.
Show Notes Disclaimer
This episode reflects the first-hand experience, perspective, and professional judgment of former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, as shared during this recorded conversation.
Where topics involve ongoing debate, unresolved investigations, or contested interpretations, the discussion distinguishes between what is personally observed, what is documented, and what remains unanswered. This episode is not intended to serve as a comprehensive investigative record, nor does it assert conclusions beyond the speaker’s direct knowledge and publicly available information at the time of recording.
The views expressed are those of the participants and are presented in the interest of understanding leadership, accountability, and decision-making under extreme institutional constraint.

Disclaimer
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