Featuring Quinton Johnston, David Perry & Gary Ellis (Samson Shield Leadership) Making the transition from law enforcement to the corporate world is one of the most complex identity shifts a professional can face — and few have done it with the level of impact, integrity, and success as today’s guests. In this episode of Cop to Corporate, host Sam Tierney sits down with the leadership team behind Samson Shield — Quinton Johnstone, David Perry, and Gary Ellis — three former law enforcement leaders who transformed decades of frontline policing, crisis response, investigative work, and executive leadership into a high-performing corporate security and risk management organization. Together, they share unfiltered insights into what it truly takes to move from the badge to the boardroom — including the emotional challenges, financial realities, identity shifts, and strategic decisions that define life after policing. Chapters: 04:15 – Early Service & Law Enforcement Roots 10:30 – Transferable Skills Beyond the Badge 16:45 – Entrepreneurship While Still Serving 23:10 – Knowing When to Leave the Badge 29:40 – Identity & Life After Law Enforcement 36:20 – Corporate Security & Hiring Insights 43:15 – Transition Advice for Officers 50:30 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next 53:48 – Episode Wrap-Up 🔍 In This Episode, We Explore: • What originally drew each guest into law enforcement • The defining moments that shaped their policing careers • When and why they knew it was time to leave the job • How to prepare while still serving for a future outside policing • Translating police skills into corporate and entrepreneurial success • Building and leveraging professional networks after law enforcement • The emotional loss of camaraderie — and how to rebuild purpose • Mistakes to avoid when starting a business post-policing • Resume and mindset shifts required to succeed in the corporate world • Why planning, education, and volunteerism are critical for transition This conversation goes far beyond job titles and resumes — it’s about legacy, service, purpose, and redefining success after a career built on duty and sacrifice. 💬 Key Takeaway: There is life after policing — but success doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional planning, honest self-assessment, and the courage to start over. 🎙️ Recorded & produced by Just Talk Studios, the premier video podcast studio in Bellevue, Washington. 🔗 Learn more or book a session: https://www.justtalkstudios.com/ 🔔 Don’t Forget: 👍 Like the episode 💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway 📩 Share with someone considering life after law enforcement 🔔 Subscribe for more Cop to Corporate conversations #CopToCorporate #LifeAfterLawEnforcement #PoliceTransition #LawEnforcementCareers #CorporateLeadership #VeteransInBusiness #CareerPivot #LeadershipDevelopment #JustTalkStudios #BellevueWA #BellevuePodcastStudio

Leaving law enforcement doesn’t mean leaving leadership, purpose, or impact. In this episode of Cop to Corporate: Life After Law Enforcement, host Sam sits down with Jeremy Baumann—former police officer turned corporate security executive and CEO of Corporate Security Advisers—to unpack what it really looks like to transition from patrol to the private sector. Jeremy’s journey spans rural Illinois policing, managing large-scale corporate security operations, serving as an Interim Chief Security Officer, and ultimately building a national consulting firm that helps organizations protect their people, assets, and operations. This conversation goes far beyond job titles. Jeremy breaks down: Why corporate security is far more complex than most officers realize How humility and starting “one step back” can help you go farther, faster The biggest mistakes cops make when trying to land senior corporate roles How law enforcement skills actually translate to business leadership Why networking early matters more than “shotgun applying” to jobs What separates officers who struggle after the transition from those who thrive If you’re currently on patrol, considering life after the badge, or already navigating the corporate world and feeling stuck—this episode offers real, tactical insight from someone who’s done it at the highest level. 🎙️ About Cop to Corporate Cop to Corporate shares real stories from former law enforcement professionals who have successfully transitioned into corporate, entrepreneurial, and private-sector careers—providing clarity, confidence, and direction for officers planning their next chapter. 00:00 Intro – From Cop to Corporate Security CEO 01:05 Why Jeremy Chose Law Enforcement 02:30 Small-Town Policing & Early Career Reality 04:10 The Career Epiphany: “I Need More” 06:10 A Mentor’s Advice That Changed Everything 08:00 First Corporate Security Role & Reality Check 10:05 Managing Large Teams & Learning Leadership Fast 12:00 Why Corporate Security ≠ Policing 14:00 Networking vs. Resumes in Corporate Hiring 16:10 Law Enforcement Skills That Translate Best 18:00 The Biggest Mistake Cops Make When Transitioning 20:10 Starting One Step Back to Move Faster 22:05 Humility, Problem Solving & Asking for Help 24:00 Final Advice for Officers Considering the Jump 🎬 Produced by Just Talk Studios This episode was recorded and produced by Just Talk Studios, the premier video podcasting studio in Bellevue, Washington. Learn more or book a session at 👉 https://www.justtalkstudios.com/ cop to corporate, life after law enforcement, law enforcement career transition, police officer career change, former cop corporate job, corporate security career, corporate security leadership, chief security officer career, CSO path, private sector security, police to business, law enforcement skills in corporate, security management careers, executive protection background, leadership after policing, police podcast, law enforcement advice, career after the badge, transitioning out of policing, security consulting #CopToCorporate #LifeAfterLawEnforcement #PoliceToCorporate #CareerAfterTheBadge #LawEnforcementCareers #CorporateSecurity #SecurityLeadership #FormerPoliceOfficer #CareerTransition #LeadershipJourney #PrivateSectorSecurity #PodcastInterview #JustTalkStudios

Join Cop to Corporate host Sam Tierney on Cop to Corporate as she sits down with Chris Howell, former law enforcement officer turned Flock Safety team member. Chris opens up about his shift from high-stakes policing in a big agency to a quieter beach community role, the burnout from 2020 events that led him to leave, and the emotional challenges of transitioning out of service. Discover how he landed at Flock Safety, built a powerful Law Enforcement Employee Resource Group to support fellow ex-officers with mentorship, mental health resources, and overcoming impostor syndrome – plus invaluable advice for anyone making the leap from badge to boardroom. If you're a cop considering corporate life, this episode is a must-watch! 🚔➡️💼 What happens when a law enforcement career no longer feels sustainable — but walking away feels just as terrifying? In this episode of Cop to Corporate: Life After Law Enforcement, host Sam Tierney sits down with Chris Howell, a former police officer who successfully transitioned into the tech world at Flock Safety. Chris shares his journey from working at a massive agency to policing a small beach community, the emotional toll of 2020, and the quiet moment that made him realize it was time to leave the badge behind. He opens up about identity loss, hyper-vigilance, imposter syndrome, and what really happens when your body and mind finally slow down after law enforcement. Now at Flock Safety, Chris helped spearhead a Law Enforcement Employee Resource Group, supporting former officers through mentorship, mental health awareness, and career development — proving that your law enforcement experience doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. If you’re a current or former cop wondering what life after law enforcement looks like, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and practical guidance for your next chapter. 🚔➡️💼 🎙️ Recorded & produced by Just Talk Studios, the premier video podcast studio in Bellevue, Washington. 🔗 Learn more or book a session: https://www.justtalkstudios.com/ 00:00 – Welcome to Cop to Corporate 01:05 – Chris’s law enforcement background 03:15 – Big agency vs small department policing 05:30 – Hitting the wall physically & mentally 07:45 – Civil unrest, burnout & the 2020 breaking point 10:10 – The “hard candy” moment that changed everything 12:15 – Fear, identity loss & leaving the badge 14:45 – Transitioning into tech at Flock Safety 16:40 – Networking on LinkedIn & fixing the “cop resume” 18:30 – Building a Law Enforcement ERG at Flock 20:15 – Advice for cops considering leaving law enforcement 21:30 – Final thoughts & encouragement life after law enforcement, police officer career transition, cop to corporate, leaving law enforcement, former police officer, law enforcement burnout, police mental health, transitioning out of policing, law enforcement jobs after policing, tech jobs for cops, Flock Safety, police identity crisis #CopToCorporate #LifeAfterLawEnforcement #PoliceTransition #FormerPoliceOfficer #LawEnforcementCareers #CareerChange #PoliceMentalHealth #LeavingTheBadge #SecondCareer #FlockSafety #JustTalkStudios 🎙️🚔💼

🎬 From Police Officer to Hollywood Stunt Woman | Cop to Corporate with Hannah Betts What happens when a police officer listens to curiosity instead of fear? In this powerful and unexpected episode of Cop to Corporate: Life After Law Enforcement, host Sam sits down with Hannah Betts — a former UK police officer who made an extraordinary transition from emergency response policing to professional skydiving and ultimately to becoming a Hollywood stunt woman. Hannah’s story challenges the idea that life after law enforcement has to follow a “safe” or traditional path. Instead, she opens up about fear, identity, structure, and what it really means to build a second career that still honors who you are. Calling herself a “professional scaredy cat,” Hannah explains how fear isn’t something to eliminate — it’s something to understand, navigate, and use as a guide. 👮‍♀️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ What law enforcement careers in the UK look like compared to the U.S. ✔️ How Hannah transitioned from patrol policing to elite competitive skydiving ✔️ Why structure and discipline matter when leaving law enforcement ✔️ How fear shows up during career transitions — and how to work with it ✔️ The emotional challenges of leaving camaraderie, identity, and stability ✔️ How hobbies and side passions can evolve into full-time careers ✔️ Why curiosity is often a better compass than certainty ✔️ Advice for officers who’ve left the job and feel lost or unsure of what’s next Whether you’re actively planning your exit, already out of uniform, or simply questioning what your next chapter could look like, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and real-world perspective. 🎯 Who This Episode Is For • Police officers considering life after law enforcement • First responders navigating career transition or burnout • Veterans and public servants redefining identity after service • Anyone afraid to take the “leap” into something unknown • Creatives, risk-takers, and high performers craving purpose 🎙 About Cop to Corporate: Life After Law Enforcement Cop to Corporate shares real, unfiltered stories from former law enforcement officers who’ve transitioned into corporate roles, entrepreneurship, creative careers, and beyond. This show is about reinvention, resilience, and redefining success after the badge. 📍 Produced by Just Talk Studios This episode was recorded and produced by Just Talk Studios, the premier professional video podcasting studio in Bellevue, Washington. 👉 Learn more or book your session at https://www.justtalkstudios.com/ 💬 Join the Conversation If this episode resonated with you: 👍 Like the video 💬 Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations about life after law enforcement Your next chapter might look very different than you imagined — and that’s not a bad thing. 00:00 – From Cop to Hollywood Stunt Woman 01:10 – Hannah’s Law Enforcement Career in the UK 03:05 – Why She Chose Policing 04:45 – Emergency Response & UK vs U.S. Policing 06:40 – Discovering Skydiving While on the Job 08:30 – The Decision to Leave Law Enforcement 10:25 – Fear, Structure & Losing Stability 12:20 – Competitive Skydiving & World Championships 14:20 – Why She Didn’t Go Back to Policing 15:45 – From Skydiving to Hollywood Stunts 17:05 – Advice for Officers Afraid to Leave 18:30 – Final Thoughts on Life After the Badge #LifeAfterLawEnforcement #PoliceCareerTransition #FormerPolice #StuntWoman #CareerAfterCops #FirstResponderCareers #FearAndGrowth #SkydivingLife #HollywoodStunts #CareerReinvention #PublicServiceToPrivateSector

Thinking about life after law enforcement? 🚔➡️💼 In this episode of Cop to Corporate, we sit down with Colin Whittington—former Virginia Deputy Sheriff of the Year, CEO of Recruiting Heroes, and author of Beyond the Thin Blue Line. Colin built “Heroes Academy” to help cops, veterans, and first responders translate their skills into meaningful private-sector careers. What You’ll Learn: How to turn policing skills—leadership, crisis response, investigations—into corporate value Resume and LinkedIn strategies that actually get results How to network beyond law enforcement and connect with hiring managers Real success stories of officers who made the leap to thriving careers Why Watch: If you’re a cop considering your next chapter, this episode gives you actionable tools, inspiration, and a clear path to thrive in the corporate world. 📘 Get Colin’s book: Beyond the Thin Blue Line → https://amzn.to/4h0bK1a 🌐 Learn more: RecruitingHeroesLLC.com #CopToCorporate #LawEnforcementTransition #CareerChange #CorporateSecurity #VeteransCareers

COPS! Check out Rob Hollingsworth’s inspiring journey from Navy veteran and cop to a successful entrepreneur! Hosted by Sammy Tierney.   Rob transitioned from law enforcement after realizing it no longer served him and his family, and now he helps others make the same transition.   𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐠𝐨: Understand that no one cares about your past roles; focus on what you can offer now. 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡: Address your mental well-being to break free from the "black hole" effect. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: Build connections and create opportunities that truly serve you and your family.

COPS! 🎙️ We've just released a new episode of our podcast, hosted by Sammy Tierney, featuring Ryan Schonfeld's incredible journey. From patrolling his beat fresh out of college to getting his Masters in IT & Systems Design while still working the streets, Ryan's story is nothing short of inspiring. But his ambitions didn't stop at policing. With a relentless drive, Ryan transitioned into the corporate world, leading him to found HiveWatch, a cutting-edge security startup where he now serves as CEO. 🌟 If you're in law enforcement and dreaming of your next big move, Ryan's transition from cop to corporate is a must-listen. His story is a powerful reminder that with passion and perseverance, there are no limits to what you can achieve. #CopToCorporate #InspirationalJourney #HiveWatch #CareerTransition #LawEnforcementCareers

https://www.coptocorporate.com/ We are thrilled to announce the latest episode of the Cop to Corporate podcast, hosted by Sammy Tierney. This episode features the remarkable Debbie Garner, who dedicated 30 years to law enforcement with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI), doing extraordinary work - retiring as the ICAC Commander. Debbie's journey is nothing short of inspiring. After retiring, she faced job insecurity, a challenge many of us know all too well. Her identity was deeply rooted in being a cop, but she courageously stepped out of her comfort zone and transitioned into a corporate role. In this episode, Debbie shares her powerful story of resilience: 🔹 Overcoming the uncertainty of leaving a long-time career 🔹 Navigating the challenges of being laid off in the private sector 🔹 Using LinkedIn's green banner to signal she was open for work 🔹 Building a solid network and landing a corporate job swiftly Debbie's insights are invaluable for anyone facing a career transition or seeking inspiration to overcome job insecurity. Her experience highlights the importance of adaptability, networking, and leveraging LinkedIn to achieve career success. 🎙️ Don't miss this episode! Tune in to hear Debbie's fantastic journey and gain practical advice for your career transition. #CopToCorporate #CareerTransition #LawEnforcementToCorporate #Podcast #Networking #JobSearch #CareerAdvice

Excited to share Justin Jackson's inspiring journey from Atlanta PD to a successful career at Visa as a Security Manager! Hosted by Sammy Tierney Justin started in law enforcement after graduating from Georgia State University. Justin initially aimed for the U.S. Marshals but chose to serve with the Atlanta Police Department. Key Experiences: Gained extensive hands-on experience in various units. Completed rigorous training in high-risk warrant service and tactical operations. Transition to Corporate: Reassessed his career during the 2020 civil unrest and pandemic. Leveraged his skills to become an in-house security director at a private school, then got an opportunity to work for a large corporation, Visa. Advice for Transitioning Officers: Plan Ahead: Gain relevant experience and further your education. Continuous Learning: Obtain certifications and stay updated with industry standards. Confidence: Trust your skills and network actively on platforms like LinkedIn. Justin’s journey highlights the power of preparation, continuous learning, and leveraging support networks for a successful transition from law enforcement to the corporate sector. #careertransition #LawEnforcement #CorporateSecurity #ContinuousLearning