Patrick O’Donnell spent 25 years inside the Milwaukee Police Department, rising from patrol officer to sergeant, and today he sits down for an honest conversation about the real world behind the badge. In this interview, Patrick breaks down what it was like policing one of the most dangerous cities in Wisconsin, the cases that shaped his career, the mistakes he learned from, and the realities the public never sees. From high-risk calls, street violence, and officer burnout to leadership challenges, community tension, and the dark side of police work, Patrick brings decades of experience to this deep look at modern law enforcement.
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#PoliceInterview #FormerCop #MilwaukeePolice #WisconsinStories #TrueCrimePodcast #LawEnforcementLife #PoliceExperience #lockedinwithianbick
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Thanks to AURA FRAMES & BLUECHEW for sponsoring this episode:
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Connect with Patrick O'donnell:
Website: https://copsandwriters.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cops-and-writers-podcast/id1553717643 / Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LIkW87ZQL34n3vXXrIOKK?si=15ff218ac36f408c
Twitter/X: https://x.com/Patrick80094998
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.odonnell.526438/ / https://www.facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@patrickodonnell7928
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@piddyod
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
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Timestamps:
00:00 Policing Then vs. Now — How the Job Has Changed
02:00 Guest Introduction, Networking & Career Paths
04:30 Police K-9 Stories, Dogs & Giving Back
07:45 Writing Books, Podcasting & Finding a Voice
13:00 Growing Up in Chicago: Family, Streets & Influence
19:00 Strict Upbringing, Early Jobs & Discipline
24:00 Teenage Rebellion, Mistakes & Turning Points
29:00 College Years, Direction & Life Choices
36:00 Jail Internship & First Exposure to Policing
44:00 First Day as a Police Officer
52:00 First Crime Scenes & Field Training Reality
01:00:00 Neighborhoods, Crime & Community Policing
01:10:00 Promoted to Sergeant: Leadership & Responsibility
01:19:00 High-Stress Nights, Major Incidents & Split-Second Decisions
01:26:00 Police Rank Structure, Politics & Administration
01:33:00 Modern Policing, Politics & Social Media Pressure
01:39:00 Retirement, Burnout & Officer Mental Health
01:42:00 Advice for New Police Officers & Life Lessons
01:44:00 Final Thoughts, Reflections & Gratitude
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