Join us for another powerful episode of the Protecting the Shield Podcast as SWORN President Adam Safir sits down with former NYPD Officer Michael Ginch and retired Tempe PD SWAT Sergeant Andrew McCormick. Dive deep into their diverse careers in law enforcement, from midnight patrols in Queens to high-stakes SWAT operations in Arizona.Guests:Michael Ginch: Former NYPD Field Training Officer, currently with Integris Intelligence.Learn more about Integris: https://integrasintel.com/Andrew McCormick: Retired Tempe Police Department SWAT Sergeant (27 years service, 24 years on SWAT).Learn more about SWORN: https://sworn.ai/Michael and Andrew share candid experiences on the unique challenges faced by public responders, including:The REALITY of shift work: Mike discusses the struggles of 8 years on NYPD midnights, including significant weight gain and the “cave” bedroom setup needed for sleep. Andrew recounts balancing demanding SWAT callouts with family life and the universal challenge of disrupted sleep patterns.Battling burnout & stress: They reveal how officers often mask their struggles, the reliance on energy drinks, and the long-term consequences of suppressed stress. Andrew highlights the pressure to perform and the camaraderie that can prevent officers from seeking help.The crucial role of relationships: Explore why officers often gravitate towards connecting with fellow cops and the importance of having support systems both inside and outside the job. Andrew shares his family’s multi-generational history in law enforcement and the wisdom passed down to avoid common pitfalls.Innovation in officer wellness: Discover how SWORN is leveraging AI and data to provide personalized, private wellness support, helping officers track stress (eustress and distress), manage workloads, and prevent burnout before it escalates.The future of policing: Both Mike and Andrew weigh in on the potential of AI as a revolutionary tool for law enforcement, from automating reports to providing critical pre-response intelligence for officer safety and community interaction.This episode is a compelling watch for current and aspiring law enforcement professionals, public safety leaders, and anyone interested in the realities of police work and the evolving landscape of first responder wellness.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:21 Mike Gich’s Background and Career Journey02:23 Andrew McCormick’s Background and Career Journey08:46 Challenges of Working the Midnight Shift09:46 Health and Wellness on the Job20:40 Support and Camaraderie in Law Enforcement25:09 Encouraging Health and Wellness in Law Enforcement28:13 Understanding Stress in Policing29:59 Organizational Stress and Leadership Challenges34:11 Balancing Work and Personal Life39:13 Transitioning from Law Enforcement to the Private Sector45:54 The Role of AI in Modern Policing50:30 Final Thoughts on Health, Wellness, and AI#PoliceWellness #OfficerHealth #LawEnforcement #NYPD #SWAT #FirstResponders #ProtectingTheShield #SWORN #PublicSafety #MentalHealth #StressManagement #ShiftWork #PoliceLife #AIinPolicing #Leadership #BurnoutPrevention #TempePolice #NYPDLife #PodcastForCops #OfficerSupport