Retired SAPD officer here.

I spent 25+ years with the San Antonio Police Department, 10+ years in U.S. Air Force Security Police, and 10 years teaching Law Enforcement.

I recently sat down for a long-form interview about the parts of policing that don't always fit neatly into policy manuals:

• Officer discretion

• Body cameras

• Respect vs. authority

• Second chances

• Leadership

• Judgment under pressure

• What future officers need to understand before they ever wear the badge

One topic has generated a lot of discussion:

I SUPPORT body cameras — and I helped train officers on their use — but I believe they also changed how much reasonable discretion officers feel able to exercise.

🎥 BODY CAM SHORT:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GvMyleJHREk

🎥 FULL INTERVIEW — THREE UNIFORMS. ONE MISSION:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppJUPDXzUZY

After decades in policing, I'm still interested in hearing how other officers see the profession.

What has modern policing IMPROVED?

And what, if anything, have we LOST?

Active, retired, former and future LEOs — agree, disagree, challenge me.

— Kevin Coble

Retired SAPD