1 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: From School of Humans and iHeart podcasts. This is Cold 2 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: Case Files Miami. I'm your host, Endriques Santos. 3 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 2: So. 4 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,800 Speaker 1: Today we're talking with Detective Danny Morales, a homicide detective 5 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: of the Miami Dade Sheriff's Office. In twenty twenty two, 6 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 1: Danny and his brother, Sergeant Brandon Espinosa, founded a nonprofit 7 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: organization called Bleeding Blue, which supports law enforcement families during 8 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,839 Speaker 1: times of need. Bleeding Blue also provides mental health and 9 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:41,280 Speaker 1: wellness resources to officers, which is something I'm especially passionate about. Danny, 10 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for joining us today. Let's start 11 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 1: with your story. What drew you into law enforcement in 12 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:49,000 Speaker 1: the first place. How old were you when you first 13 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 1: became an officer? 14 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 3: And thanks for having me Andndy que. We go back 15 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 3: to twenty seventy. I was working out a pharmacy at 16 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 3: the time. We did about three years to get a 17 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 3: phone call from the Miami Dad Police Department at the 18 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 3: time now the Sheriff's Office, And one day I look 19 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:08,640 Speaker 3: at my phone, I have an email and I was like, Hey, 20 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:12,039 Speaker 3: I'm going to the police coudiyam out. And that's been 21 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 3: great ever since started the police academy there, spent about 22 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 3: two and a half years on the road on road 23 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 3: patrol in like the west Chester area of Miami Did County, 24 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 3: and then I went and straight into investigations that led 25 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:25,959 Speaker 3: me to where I'm at now as a homicide detective 26 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 3: and I've been on the department for about eight years. 27 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 1: Interesting, so I'm I'm an officer turned broadcaster and you're 28 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 1: a pharmacist turned officer. 29 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 4: Pretty cool. 30 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,759 Speaker 3: Yeah, I guess we can say I was pushing pills 31 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 3: legally back then. 32 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: What made you want to work specifically in homicide, which 33 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: is what you do now? 34 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 3: So it was an interest of mine once I learned 35 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 3: what they do. So I was given the opportunity to 36 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 3: go to general investigations in the Person's and Property unit, 37 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 3: and essentially I was handling shooting investigations basically where somebody 38 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 3: didn't tie. So if someone contact shootings, non contact shootings, 39 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 3: but as long as they didn't die, it was handled 40 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 3: at the district level, which is where I was at 41 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,240 Speaker 3: at the time. And essentially we were doing the same 42 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 3: exact job, just homicide is a little bit more intense, 43 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:20,360 Speaker 3: a lot more documenting things of that nature. So you know, 44 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 3: the opportunity presented itself again to go to homicide. I 45 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 3: got a phone call, and you know, three years on 46 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 3: the department, that was a no brainer. I couldn't say 47 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 3: no to that, so I took the opportunity, and you know, 48 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 3: I haven't looked back since. 49 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:34,799 Speaker 1: Do you remember the first case that played a big 50 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:37,800 Speaker 1: role in you played a big role in solving and 51 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 1: what was that like? 52 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 3: That was intense? You know, it was not a call 53 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 3: that we expected to handle was a homicide. It was 54 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 3: actually it came out as an accidental shooting where someone 55 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 3: passed away, and little by little, working with the Medical 56 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 3: Examiner's office, working with the state attorney, we were able 57 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 3: to determine that this was a you know, an intentional 58 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 3: act and even if there wasn't intentional, it was, you know. 59 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 2: A reckless act. 60 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 3: And working in that capacity as a rookie homicide detective, 61 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,640 Speaker 3: you know, I definitely had to learn a lot very quick. 62 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,680 Speaker 3: That was probably two months on the job. At the 63 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 3: same time that I transferred to the homicide bureau, we 64 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:22,360 Speaker 3: had the surf side and building collapse, so there was 65 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:26,799 Speaker 3: a lot of running around, lack of manpower, so we 66 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 3: were handling that homicide essentially with only two people and 67 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 3: that's not normal. So that that was very big, very 68 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 3: early on in my homicide career. 69 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: Being a cop, especially one who works in homicide, is 70 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 1: a very stressful job, like you're describing, and you see 71 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 1: a lot of terrible things. What do you think the 72 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 1: general public might not know or miss about these kinds 73 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: of situations that you'd like them to know? 74 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 3: You know, I had this conversation with someone recently and 75 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 3: they and they kind of it was a little frustrating 76 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 3: because just having the the general public, Yeah, they may 77 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 3: accept us, they may understand the job that we do, 78 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 3: but a lot of the mindset that are out there, 79 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 3: are you signed up for this And I didn't sign 80 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 3: up to you know, grab a dead body and then 81 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 3: being a baby multiple times in my career. I didn't 82 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 3: sign up to get shot at. I didn't sign up 83 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 3: to play with blood. 84 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 2: I didn't you know. 85 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 3: I signed up to bring closure to those family members, 86 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 3: to the people that can't speak anymore, be their voice 87 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:31,479 Speaker 3: in court, and bring justice to those that are that 88 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 3: are deceased. You know that we're murdered, and unfortunately that 89 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 3: that comes with the job. You know, the stress comes 90 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:38,919 Speaker 3: with the job, that trauma comes with the job, you know, 91 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:42,800 Speaker 3: dealing with the the families at a personal level. These 92 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 3: people that you've never met before, but now you are 93 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 3: their lifeline and you're spending hours on the phone with 94 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:52,599 Speaker 3: them throughout you know, this investigation. They're calling you on 95 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 3: the holidays, they're calling you on the victim's birthday because 96 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 3: you are the only person that is going to bring 97 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 3: them closer. So that is you know, Unfortunately, the the 98 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 3: job is great, I love it, don't get me wrong. 99 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 3: The traumas that come with it and the stress that 100 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,720 Speaker 3: comes with it, the hours that come with it are 101 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 3: something that the public is never going to see. And 102 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:18,719 Speaker 3: although they may appreciate our job there, unless you do it, 103 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 3: you know, you're really not gonna not. 104 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:24,360 Speaker 1: This show deals a lot with cold cases, and we've 105 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: talked to family members about the toll it takes on 106 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: them to not have someone prosecuted for their loved one's death. 107 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: On your side, what is the emotional weight of not 108 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 1: being able to give families answers or the answers that 109 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: they want, the answers they deserve. 110 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 3: Something that I learned very early when when I actually 111 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 3: learned it from a senior detective, was that where to 112 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:50,719 Speaker 3: promise the family anything, and it's it's very accurate because 113 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 3: unfortunately we can't solve every case. You know, if that 114 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:55,919 Speaker 3: was the case, you know we would have it would 115 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 3: it would be great, you know, we would love to 116 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 3: do that. You can't sell every case and you can't 117 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 3: promise the families anything, but you try your best to 118 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 3: work with them. You try your best to be there 119 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 3: and be very transparent. And I always put myself in 120 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 3: their shoes. What is it that I would want if 121 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 3: I was the person on the other side of the phone, 122 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:12,840 Speaker 3: what is it that. 123 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 2: I will want the detective to tell me? 124 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:17,839 Speaker 3: Well, what would I expect them to, you know, give 125 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 3: me information on and unfortunately, you know, sometimes depending on 126 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 3: the case, we. 127 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 2: Can't really give out all that information. 128 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 3: But you try your best to you know, kind of 129 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 3: involve them and give them that sense of purpose that 130 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 3: they're actually doing something to assist you on the investigation. 131 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: You mentioned about not being prepared to face death, especially 132 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:42,720 Speaker 1: of babies. It's probably one of the hardest thing of 133 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: dealing with law enforcement, and if for any first responder 134 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 1: to have to deal with death of young people, innocent babies. 135 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 1: Training obviously prepares you for a lot, but a lot 136 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 1: of police work. Can only you know a lot of 137 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: the stuff you can only learn on the job. Right, 138 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:02,359 Speaker 1: have there been challenges and stresses that you weren't expecting in. 139 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 3: I remember my first bigy death, and I mean I 140 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 3: remember all of them, infant child, you know, they have 141 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 3: the names and grains in my mind. They they're true 142 00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 3: victims any and some of them obviously are dying of 143 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 3: natural causes. You know, maybe they had some disease when 144 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 3: they were born, but it's just the it's not supposed 145 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 3: to have. I think we hear it all the time 146 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 3: where it's like a parent should never bury their kid. 147 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 2: And I think when they're so young and so. 148 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 3: Not in control that it takes a bigger toll on people. 149 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 2: So I mean, it definitely wasn't prepared for all that. 150 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 3: I mean, I think that I walked into and thinking 151 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 3: I was like, hey, I don't have kids. I know, 152 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 3: I'm a single man, I'm young, I just started my career. 153 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 3: This isn't gonna affect me like it's going to affect 154 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 3: somebody else that has kids. And I think it hits 155 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 3: you the same exact way. And I think we're human 156 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 3: beings at the end of the day, and for us 157 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 3: to be able to do this job, I think. 158 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: You have to be, you know, compassionate. You have to 159 00:07:58,400 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 2: be able to level. 160 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 3: With these families and understand what they're going through so 161 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:03,880 Speaker 3: that you can put just as much effort into solving 162 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 3: their case or helping the period. 163 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 1: You've put so much effort into helping other first responders. Specifically, 164 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: when it comes to mental health and dealing with these issues, 165 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 1: do you feel that your training prepared you for the 166 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,440 Speaker 1: four mental and emotional mental and emotional toll that this 167 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 1: kind of work takes. 168 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 3: I don't think training prepared me for that. I think 169 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 3: training prepared me for the job that I do. I 170 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 3: think life experience kind of prepares you for everything that 171 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:35,079 Speaker 3: you're going through, and whether that's your upbringing, whether that's 172 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 3: your family dynamic, whether that's your walk with God. I 173 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 3: think that those are all very important factors when it 174 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 3: comes to your mental health in this career. There's no 175 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:47,439 Speaker 3: textbook that's going to tell you what you're going to 176 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 3: walk into tomorrow. I had a buddy of mind in 177 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:52,839 Speaker 3: the police academy that one week on the job got 178 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:55,719 Speaker 3: into a major shooting. The textbook doesn't tell you that, 179 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 3: you know the textbook tells you that you don't know 180 00:08:57,320 --> 00:08:59,960 Speaker 3: when things are going to happen. But that emotional toll 181 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 3: of being a rookie not knowing what you're doing. Now 182 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:03,960 Speaker 3: you're firing your guns. 183 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 2: That's huge. 184 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 1: You have family and law enforcement, including your stepfather who's 185 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:12,240 Speaker 1: now retired. Did he give you any advice when when 186 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:14,079 Speaker 1: you decided you wanted to work in law enforcement? 187 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, he told me not to do it. 188 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 4: That happens a lot. Are you hear a lot in 189 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 4: law enforcement? 190 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:22,760 Speaker 1: You get a lot when when you ask policemen or 191 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: women or sheriff's deputy, you know what do you recommend? 192 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 4: Applying be a fireman instead? Is what you get? A lot? 193 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:33,719 Speaker 3: Yeah, I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it. I 194 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 3: grew up around this world. I remember as a kid 195 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 3: going to the law enforcement memorial every May, going to 196 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 3: the police rodeos and motorcycle rodeos, going to these luncheons, 197 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 3: and just walking around the police station. I mean I 198 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 3: even went to a police and fire school, so some 199 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 3: of my teachers were firefighters and police officers. So this 200 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 3: was something that I was born into. Apparently I used 201 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 3: to I was a swat officer every year as for Halloween, 202 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,440 Speaker 3: I didn't go that route because the gym isn't for me, 203 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 3: but he definitely gave me some advice. He definitely guided 204 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:07,839 Speaker 3: me in the right direction. I mean, to this day, 205 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:09,959 Speaker 3: I still call him and, you know, just talk to 206 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 3: him and make sure that he's okay. But at the 207 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 3: same time, it's kind of like my way of saying like, hey, 208 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:15,640 Speaker 3: this is what I went through. 209 00:10:15,800 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 2: Just hear me out. 210 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 4: Sure did he ever talk to you about the emotional 211 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 4: toll this kind of work takes on. 212 00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 2: I don't remember those conversations. I know that. 213 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 3: I just remember seeing them. I remember him coming home exhausted. 214 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 3: I remember him wanting to be left alone. He's very 215 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:32,680 Speaker 3: big into motorcycles, so I know he would go on 216 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 3: his bike rides by himself, and we always asked like, hey, 217 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:38,000 Speaker 3: where's where's I'm alo at? You know, where's you know? 218 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 3: Is he is he okay? And after a long day 219 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 3: at work or just a shower, go straight to bed. 220 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 3: And you would see those things as we grew up 221 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 3: with him. I mean, it's my stepfather. He raised me 222 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 3: since I was three years old, you know, so I 223 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 3: definitely saw it. And as you get older, you start 224 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:54,719 Speaker 3: to realize on your own, like, hey, this is this 225 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:56,840 Speaker 3: is coming from the job. There's there's nothing going on 226 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:58,439 Speaker 3: at home, so where else is it coming from? 227 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:00,840 Speaker 1: You know, it's the stressors from the How do you 228 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,680 Speaker 1: balance protecting your family from your work well also not 229 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:05,760 Speaker 1: closing yourself off emotionally. 230 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's definitely a tough stateleent. 231 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 3: You don't want to bring things home and burden your 232 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 3: family with the stuff that we see, especially in homicide. 233 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 3: You know, my girlfriend is not part of any type 234 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 3: of law enforcement or older in this field at all, 235 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 3: So I don't want to expose her to the things 236 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 3: that I do and scare her, but at the same 237 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:29,240 Speaker 3: time be open enough to discuss, Hey, this is what 238 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 3: I'm going through. Can you just listen to me, maybe 239 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 3: get some help, maybe just go to dinner or something 240 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 3: and just tell you about my day. So it's a 241 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 3: tough balance between what do I share and what do 242 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 3: I don't share, But it needs to happen, you know, Unfortunately, 243 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:46,600 Speaker 3: you know, you have to be able to be open 244 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:49,960 Speaker 3: with your partner about what you're going through and your 245 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 3: family period. So my mom calls me and checks in 246 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 3: on me if she's something on the news or maybe 247 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 3: I'll post something in the family chat and like, hey, 248 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 3: I'm working them on a scene, and she doesn't hear 249 00:11:58,520 --> 00:11:59,080 Speaker 3: from me from. 250 00:11:58,960 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 2: A couple hours. 251 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 3: It's not a couple it's actually like twenty thirty hours 252 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 3: because those are lengths of our shifts. But you know, 253 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:07,160 Speaker 3: she'll call me and she'll check in and say, hey, 254 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:07,840 Speaker 3: like what's going on? 255 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 2: What are you working? 256 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:11,559 Speaker 3: You know, and that kind of gauge is where you're 257 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:15,199 Speaker 3: at mentally. You know, if it's just physical exhaustion from 258 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 3: working those long hours, or is it there's something There's 259 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:18,200 Speaker 3: something more there. 260 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:20,839 Speaker 1: We need to take a break, but when we're back, 261 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: we continue this conversation with Detective Danny Morales. In twenty 262 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,600 Speaker 1: twenty two, you and your brother Brandon, who's a sergeant 263 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:38,400 Speaker 1: with the Mammi Dade Sheriff's Office, decided to start a nonprofit. 264 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,439 Speaker 4: Bleeding Blue. What was the motivation behind this? 265 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:46,959 Speaker 3: Some Bleeding flu started after the loss of a little 266 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 3: officer from Miami Day Police Department. He was shot and 267 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 3: killed in the nighte of duty, and we saw a 268 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 3: need to just raise money for the family and bring 269 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:57,679 Speaker 3: awareness to his name to his incident that occurred. And 270 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:01,880 Speaker 3: I worked that case in a homicide capacity, and the 271 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 3: individual that was killed was my brother's boarding and at 272 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 3: the time, so it was close to home. 273 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 2: You know. 274 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 3: I spent a very intimate couple of days with the 275 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:13,079 Speaker 3: family as they were dealing with the loss of a 276 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:17,440 Speaker 3: loved one at the hospital. And I never knew these 277 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 3: people at all, and I felt like I was part 278 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:21,959 Speaker 3: of their family, and now I am. Now they're part 279 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 3: of mine, and I'm part of theirs. Three years later, 280 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:28,079 Speaker 3: so we started fundraising and that kind of just sparled 281 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 3: into starting this organization, trying to do things a little 282 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 3: bit more legit, gaining donations, and you know, here we 283 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:36,640 Speaker 3: are almost three years later. 284 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:39,760 Speaker 1: A large part of Bleeding Blues mission is to provide 285 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 1: financial support to law enforcement families during times of loss 286 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:46,720 Speaker 1: or injury or other hardship, but the mission has also 287 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 1: expanded to address mental health and wellness amongst law enforcement officers. 288 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 4: Can you talk a little more about this. 289 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 3: We've seen an increase in suicides in the law enforcement community, 290 00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 3: and unfortunately this is based on on the job stressor's 291 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 3: personal issues that we may be going through. And I 292 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:09,640 Speaker 3: think that as a first responder, I would say ninety 293 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 3: percent of us or alf of males and females, and 294 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 3: we don't want to address the fact that Hey, I'm 295 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 3: going through something, Hey I need help, Hey I'm talking 296 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 3: to a therapist, or hey I'm talking to Hope, your 297 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 3: support guy. And you bottle that stuff inside and you 298 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 3: start to drink alcohol, you start to use drugs, you 299 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 3: start to gamble, and it's just a slippery slope when 300 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 3: you add everything together. And we've seen an increase in suicide. 301 00:14:32,720 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 3: The numbers don't lie. So we started the mission in 302 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 3: efforts to raise awareness, and we started a mental health conference. 303 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 3: We brought together about four hundred and twenty five first 304 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 3: responders with three speakers, twelve vendors, and it was a 305 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 3: very successful event. And at that point, that's when we 306 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 3: decided to make this our mission to continue on the 307 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 3: mental health side of the organization. 308 00:14:56,960 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 1: Do you think officers today feel more comfortab we'll talking 309 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:03,320 Speaker 1: about their mental health or is there's still stigma around it? 310 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 4: Do you think that's changing? 311 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 2: I definitely see a change. There's definitely a change. 312 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 3: And even at the leadership level, we see now a 313 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:15,040 Speaker 3: couple more chiefs that are a lot more open to 314 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:20,120 Speaker 3: hosting mental health workshops and events, sponsoring you know, different 315 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:25,360 Speaker 3: trainings for their officers to go to that are mental 316 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 3: health related, and I think that comes with everybody as 317 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 3: a whole, you know, just doing their part, you know, 318 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 3: and it starts from the top at the at the 319 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:35,640 Speaker 3: end of the day. In this profession, you know, if 320 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 3: our leader is doing something, we're all going to follow. 321 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 3: But at the same time, you have people boots on 322 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 3: the ground that are trying to push it upwards as well. 323 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 2: So a lot of a lot more peer support teams. 324 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 3: You have now a Miami DAT Multi Agency Peer Support Team, 325 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 3: which is just officers and different agencies that have come 326 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:54,960 Speaker 3: together during crisis moments, and you know, that's new within 327 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 3: the last two years as well. 328 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 2: So we're definitely seeing a change. 329 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 3: I think that at the officer level we don't see 330 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 3: the conversation happens as often as it should, but I 331 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 3: definitely have seen the change and I see it. In 332 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:13,320 Speaker 3: the Homicide Bureau, we definitely talk about cases. You know, 333 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 3: we have a table there what we call the pit, 334 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 3: and the fit is where you know, you have meetings, 335 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 3: where you have lunch where you just have a conversation, 336 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 3: you have a roll call and occasionally you'll you'll hear 337 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 3: a couple of conversations like, hey, this is the call 338 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:27,520 Speaker 3: I went to, and then you start diving into that 339 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 3: call that you went to and you responded to, and 340 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 3: you kind of dig with that detective or you dig 341 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 3: with that officer like what is it that you went through? 342 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 3: And it just becomes a natural conversation and at the 343 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:40,240 Speaker 3: end of the day, that's all we need, you know, 344 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 3: get it off your chest, talk about it, and you know, 345 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 3: as a peer to peer conversation, I think that goes 346 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 3: a very long way. 347 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 4: Could you talk to me about bleeding blues? Just ask? Initiative? 348 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 3: So that started as a quick access resource guide, Right, 349 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:02,440 Speaker 3: I personally did not know who to go to when 350 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 3: I wanted to go to therapy and I thought that 351 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:08,160 Speaker 3: I needed therapy, and I spent hours on our insurance's 352 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:11,719 Speaker 3: website trying to find a therapist that was covered by 353 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 3: the insurance, and once I found some, I spent hours 354 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 3: trying to get a. 355 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:17,119 Speaker 2: Hold of those therapists. 356 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:20,560 Speaker 3: So it was a little frustrating to know that, yeah, 357 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:23,240 Speaker 3: my insurance covers this, but where do I go? So 358 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 3: it was more of a quick action's guide to provide 359 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:28,919 Speaker 3: those resources that are out there. Those are individuals and 360 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 3: companies that are vetted and that have experience in dealing 361 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:35,399 Speaker 3: with first responders, and they're you know, the phone numbers 362 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:37,200 Speaker 3: there you can call them. Some of them are twenty 363 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:39,880 Speaker 3: four hour hotline, so you never know when your partner 364 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 3: may need somebody. And it's three four in the morning, 365 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:45,199 Speaker 3: you know there is a suicide hotline on there that 366 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,880 Speaker 3: is tainer to first responders. You know, on the other 367 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:49,679 Speaker 3: side of that phone, you're going to get a retired 368 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 3: first responder, You're going to get an active first responder, 369 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 3: someone that understands what you're going through. That way, they 370 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 3: can walk you through that night and then lead you 371 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 3: to you know, getting the right that you need. 372 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:03,600 Speaker 1: Talking about help in therapy, Danny, I'm curious if you 373 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 1: wouldn't mind sharing with us, what do you do personally 374 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:10,440 Speaker 1: to deal with the stress and psychological toll of your 375 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:10,920 Speaker 1: line work. 376 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, so something that works for me is breathing, reading techniques. 377 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:21,160 Speaker 3: I tend to sit in my car for like, let's say, 378 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:24,720 Speaker 3: for instance, after a tough call or after a shift, 379 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:26,280 Speaker 3: I sit in my car and I just try to 380 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 3: bring that blood pressure down. I try to breathe, and 381 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:34,680 Speaker 3: country music is my way to go a nice long 382 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:37,480 Speaker 3: drive home with some smooth country music. A lot of 383 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:39,240 Speaker 3: people make fun of me all the time because they 384 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:41,159 Speaker 3: listen to what I listened to in the car and 385 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,199 Speaker 3: they're like, dude, are you depressed or something? And I'm like, no, 386 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:47,439 Speaker 3: it's just it's just listening to that smooth like soft 387 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 3: music and not listening to the regadong and the Spanish 388 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:52,359 Speaker 3: music and all that stuff that gets you pumped up. 389 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:54,679 Speaker 2: That works for me. 390 00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:57,680 Speaker 3: I'm also an athlete, so I play a competitive sport 391 00:18:57,720 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 3: and I make sure that I dedicate time to doing 392 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 3: that to be able to get away from work. 393 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 1: How do you see your fellow officers dealing with this stress? 394 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:07,160 Speaker 1: Not everybody has that amount of control and discipline and 395 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,160 Speaker 1: the routine that you have. Unfortunately, so many of our 396 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:15,159 Speaker 1: brothers and sisters turn into alcohol and other methods that 397 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:16,119 Speaker 1: are detrimental. 398 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, Unfortunately, alcohol is something that it's very common. You 399 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 3: can literally vote anywhere nowadays and be offered a drink. 400 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 3: And there's nothing wrong with drinking, right, There's nothing wrong 401 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:31,639 Speaker 3: with drinking and moderation. And you know, you have a 402 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:36,120 Speaker 3: drink once a week, twice a week, there's nothing wrong 403 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:39,199 Speaker 3: with that. And I don't like to say that there 404 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:41,879 Speaker 3: is something wrong with it, because then you make people 405 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 3: feel as if they're doing something wrong. But drinking at 406 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 3: an excessive level or going to those additional methods is 407 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 3: where you start going downhill. And unfortunately that in our 408 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:55,159 Speaker 3: line of work. I think that is a very common 409 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:59,640 Speaker 3: way to cope is acohol. That's why they turn to it. 410 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:03,160 Speaker 3: But there's programs out there. You know, there's people, there's retirees, 411 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:06,199 Speaker 3: there's people that have suffered that addiction themselves and have 412 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:08,439 Speaker 3: gotten out of it that are willing to help. You know, 413 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:10,439 Speaker 3: I have a lot of good resources and people that 414 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:14,200 Speaker 3: are trustworthy that can just guide you. And and it's 415 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 3: a matter of just reaching out. You know, when you 416 00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:18,720 Speaker 3: see yourself going through this and maybe not maybe you 417 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:20,800 Speaker 3: won't see it, but maybe your coworker sees it, maybe 418 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:23,160 Speaker 3: your family member sees it. And that's essentially what we're 419 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:25,400 Speaker 3: trying to do with Bleeding Blue is bring that awareness 420 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 3: out there that there is resources for that officer, for 421 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 3: the family, for those kids, and you know, just guide 422 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 3: you in the right direction. 423 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:35,800 Speaker 1: Talking about family, what would you recommend to family members? 424 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 1: What can friends and family members do more to better 425 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:40,679 Speaker 1: understand and support first responders? 426 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:44,960 Speaker 3: I mean, to begin with, there's plenty of trainees out 427 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:47,840 Speaker 3: there that are that are open to families. I know 428 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 3: that concerns of police survivors. COPS is a very large 429 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:55,080 Speaker 3: organization that's out there and nationwide they host a couple 430 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:57,680 Speaker 3: of trainings. Locally, we have a bunch of them as well. 431 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:01,160 Speaker 3: And you know, it's just there's something wrong with extending 432 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 3: your knowledge. It's like going into a new career that 433 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:06,480 Speaker 3: you've never done before and taking a couple of trainings. 434 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:10,159 Speaker 2: Maybe that's not the career you're going to be in 435 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 2: for forever. You're going to do twenty five thirty years. 436 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 3: But this is your family if you have them for 437 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,800 Speaker 3: the next fifty sixty seventy years, So why not invest 438 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 3: in them? And I think that talking about it, maybe 439 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 3: bringing up some just communication, talking about it and bringing 440 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 3: up those signs that are you know, troublesome to you 441 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:29,440 Speaker 3: as a partner, you know, addressing it with your partner specifically, 442 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 3: or maybe going to his best friend and being like, hey, listen, 443 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:32,760 Speaker 3: this is what I'm seeing at home. 444 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:34,120 Speaker 2: You know, maybe you can bring it up to him. 445 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:38,840 Speaker 3: Just different avenues of getting that person that's dealing with 446 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:41,680 Speaker 3: that issue to see it themselves. 447 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:44,880 Speaker 1: Talking about dealing with those issues. There might be somebody 448 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:49,200 Speaker 1: listening right now who's feeling overwhelmed, it feels burnt out. 449 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:51,080 Speaker 4: An officer, a first responder. 450 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,600 Speaker 1: What advice would you give to them. 451 00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 3: This is a bump, a speed bump in your life. 452 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:01,920 Speaker 3: I think that actually, as human beings, we all struggle 453 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:07,439 Speaker 3: with different hurdles in life. Whether it's a financial hurdle, 454 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:11,359 Speaker 3: whether it's a death in the family. I think that 455 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 3: there is ways to overcome almost everything in life. 456 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:17,360 Speaker 2: And if you. 457 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 3: Are faith based, pray on it. God is going to 458 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:21,440 Speaker 3: give you guidance and good isn't to give you peace. 459 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 3: If you are not faith based, reach out to a peer. 460 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:27,520 Speaker 3: There's people around you and your circle that care about you. 461 00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 3: Your squad mates, your supervisor, your best friends. Whether it's 462 00:22:31,359 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 3: picking up the phone and just reaching out to somebody, 463 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:36,479 Speaker 3: squirrel down your phone, liess and call that person and 464 00:22:36,520 --> 00:22:38,639 Speaker 3: just say listen to me, hear me out. 465 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:39,879 Speaker 2: I need to talk about something. 466 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:43,359 Speaker 3: But this is I always I always use this analogy, 467 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:45,920 Speaker 3: and it's it's just a speed bump in your your path. 468 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:51,159 Speaker 1: You obviously, Danny number one, congratulations for what you do. 469 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: Thank you for what you do and you started bleeding 470 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:56,959 Speaker 1: blue out of a true necessity that I'm curious in 471 00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 1: the process, what did you find? What kind of mental health, 472 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 1: health and wellness resources are available, We're available or we're 473 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:07,640 Speaker 1: not to law enforcement officers and first responders, not only 474 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:09,399 Speaker 1: in South Florida but nationwide. 475 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 4: Yeah. 476 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:12,800 Speaker 3: So, I mean there's a lot of agencies out there, 477 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,560 Speaker 3: specifically like our agency. There are largest agency down here 478 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:20,160 Speaker 3: in Miami Daue County that has psychological services. And it's 479 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:23,560 Speaker 3: just finding those therapists that are culturally confident, that understand 480 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:26,119 Speaker 3: the job that we go through and are aware of 481 00:23:26,280 --> 00:23:28,680 Speaker 3: the traumas and just not They're not just going to 482 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:30,680 Speaker 3: sit there and listen to your job and be like, oh, wow, 483 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:33,199 Speaker 3: you're a homicide detective. That's pretty damn cool. Like I 484 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:34,840 Speaker 3: don't care to tell you about my day to day job. 485 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:36,280 Speaker 3: I want to tell you about what I went through. 486 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,359 Speaker 3: So it's finding those right therapists that are that are 487 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 3: out there in the local community. 488 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:41,840 Speaker 2: And maybe it's not a. 489 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 3: Therapist, maybe it's just a peer support specialist. And by 490 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 3: that I mean someone that has gone through this life 491 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:51,840 Speaker 3: experience and is willing to help another peer. And we 492 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:56,600 Speaker 3: have those members on leading blues Board. There's different local 493 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:59,720 Speaker 3: police departments that holds peer support meetings as well, and 494 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:02,320 Speaker 3: the resources that are out there. It's just a matter 495 00:24:02,359 --> 00:24:03,840 Speaker 3: if you want need to get the help. 496 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:06,600 Speaker 1: So I'm curious what do you mean when you say 497 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:09,160 Speaker 1: a therapist that is culturally competent? 498 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 3: Right, So, like the example I just gave you, and 499 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,160 Speaker 3: and I'll speak from personal experience as well. 500 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:16,240 Speaker 2: You know, going to a. 501 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:18,159 Speaker 3: Therapist that I found online. I didn't want to go 502 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:23,280 Speaker 3: through insurance. It was a website that we found. You 503 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 3: sign up, you register your schedule, the appointment. You start 504 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:27,680 Speaker 3: talking in this person, and then I get into a 505 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:29,119 Speaker 3: little bit about like what do I do for my 506 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:31,160 Speaker 3: day to day job, how do I get into homicide? 507 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:33,399 Speaker 3: What is it that I do in homicide? And what 508 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:35,760 Speaker 3: kind of creatures have I handled. I don't want to 509 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:39,840 Speaker 3: talk to you about my day to day job to 510 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:43,879 Speaker 3: interest your hour of our conversation, right, I want to 511 00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:45,320 Speaker 3: talk to you about what it is that I do 512 00:24:45,520 --> 00:24:47,359 Speaker 3: for a living and why it is that I'm here. 513 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:52,199 Speaker 3: And culturally competent therapists are already going to understand what 514 00:24:52,280 --> 00:24:54,280 Speaker 3: it is that a firefighter or what an EMS worker, 515 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:57,240 Speaker 3: what a dispatch for police officers are going to go 516 00:24:57,280 --> 00:25:02,159 Speaker 3: through and through understanding that prior to even speaking to 517 00:25:02,200 --> 00:25:05,760 Speaker 3: a FIRSTS founder, you know, they have done the training, 518 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:08,160 Speaker 3: they have experienced what it is that we go through. 519 00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 2: You know, right now. 520 00:25:09,359 --> 00:25:12,720 Speaker 3: Leading Blue is hosting a culturally competent course and the 521 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:16,760 Speaker 3: goal of that is to expand their provider list of 522 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 3: culturally competent therapists in Miami Datee County. And part of 523 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 3: that training is for them to attend a sixteen hour 524 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,879 Speaker 3: right along. So basically have two ships and right along 525 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:30,200 Speaker 3: with a police officer or firefighter. There's no better way 526 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:32,919 Speaker 3: of them in understanding what we do than sitting in 527 00:25:32,920 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 3: the car right next to us. 528 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:38,440 Speaker 1: So, Danny, what's one change, big or small that you'd 529 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:40,399 Speaker 1: like to see in how mental health is addressed within 530 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:41,040 Speaker 1: law enforcement? 531 00:25:42,640 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 2: Thanks, that's tough. That list is long. 532 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:46,879 Speaker 4: Yeah. 533 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 3: I think it just starts with, you know a lot, 534 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:55,959 Speaker 3: having officers drop the pride in their egos and just 535 00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:59,400 Speaker 3: even sharing a social media post, you know, going out 536 00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:02,160 Speaker 3: of your way too to ask a buddy, are you okay? 537 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 2: I think it starts. 538 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:06,159 Speaker 3: At you know, a lot, a lot of and I 539 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:08,400 Speaker 3: think I said this earlier, it starts at the top, 540 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:10,159 Speaker 3: but it also starts at the bottom level. You know, 541 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:11,679 Speaker 3: stop at the top of the food chain and at 542 00:26:11,720 --> 00:26:14,520 Speaker 3: the bottom level. If the leadership is giving you the resources, 543 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:17,120 Speaker 3: then the officers need to do everything. If the officers 544 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:19,639 Speaker 3: are trying to make this happen, the leadership makes the 545 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:22,919 Speaker 3: back door officers. So it's kind of a two way street. 546 00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:26,840 Speaker 3: But I think personally, I would like to see officers 547 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:28,840 Speaker 3: just care a little bit more about what it is 548 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:30,320 Speaker 3: that their friends are going through. 549 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:33,080 Speaker 1: I remember in the police academy there being a whole 550 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:38,200 Speaker 1: block about this and to seek help if you needed, 551 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:40,960 Speaker 1: and then it was there. But I feel it that 552 00:26:41,119 --> 00:26:44,280 Speaker 1: was it's insufficient. It was insufficient in my time. Do 553 00:26:44,359 --> 00:26:45,760 Speaker 1: you feel the same. Do you think that there's an 554 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:48,840 Speaker 1: opportunity for new recruits in the police academy? 555 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:52,879 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean that's that's that's the start of your career, 556 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:54,440 Speaker 3: and I think at that point in your career, you 557 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:56,440 Speaker 3: really don't know what you're walking into. Like I said, 558 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:58,479 Speaker 3: at that point, you're doing push ups, you're getting screened at, 559 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 3: but you're also going home to the test. 560 00:27:00,680 --> 00:27:03,040 Speaker 2: And you're coming back and repeating that. 561 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:04,880 Speaker 3: The same day, So you really don't know until you 562 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:07,560 Speaker 3: you hit the road and you start experiencing these these 563 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:10,600 Speaker 3: calls for service that are going to trigger certain things. 564 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:15,080 Speaker 3: But that doesn't come to say that those trainees aren't 565 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:18,600 Speaker 3: already experiencing trauma in their personal lives. You know, maybe 566 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:21,480 Speaker 3: it is a hardship that led them to where they're 567 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 3: at now in the seat of a trainee, and all 568 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 3: it takes is one bad call to trigger some response 569 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:29,520 Speaker 3: that they've gone through in the past. 570 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:31,400 Speaker 2: So I think that it. 571 00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:35,040 Speaker 3: Is very important to start, you know, instilling this mindset 572 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:38,960 Speaker 3: in their in their during their their training phases. And 573 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:41,760 Speaker 3: I have the opportunity to teach as well in the 574 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:44,160 Speaker 3: police Academy, and that's one hundred percent. 575 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:46,320 Speaker 2: Whether it's on the curriculum or not, I'm gonna mention it. 576 00:27:47,560 --> 00:27:49,639 Speaker 1: What are Bleeding Blues goals for the future and what 577 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:51,880 Speaker 1: would you like to see out of your organization? 578 00:27:54,400 --> 00:27:57,840 Speaker 3: That, my friends, is a constant battle with me. I 579 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:00,399 Speaker 3: have so many goals I have, So I'm very business 580 00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:03,760 Speaker 3: person and thankful to our board of directors that kind 581 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:06,440 Speaker 3: of keeps me straight. But our goal is to continue 582 00:28:06,440 --> 00:28:09,679 Speaker 3: helping first responder families, you know, fundraise as much as 583 00:28:09,720 --> 00:28:12,160 Speaker 3: possible that way, God forbid, when the day does come 584 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,240 Speaker 3: that we need to donate money to one of these families, 585 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:17,320 Speaker 3: we have it readily available. And on the mental health 586 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:23,280 Speaker 3: side is to continue that organization of the provider network 587 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:28,480 Speaker 3: providing first responders with culturally competent therapists, you know, expanding 588 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:32,760 Speaker 3: as far as doing workshops, different trainings, and just. 589 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:34,880 Speaker 2: Overall just growing the organization. 590 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:37,800 Speaker 3: I think that, you know, there's different ways to do this, 591 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:42,240 Speaker 3: but we have to be very strategic and make sure 592 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:44,840 Speaker 3: we cater to our crowd of first responders, you know, 593 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:47,480 Speaker 3: provide to them what it is that they need. And 594 00:28:47,520 --> 00:28:50,560 Speaker 3: thankfully our boarder Directors is a group of first responders, 595 00:28:50,560 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 3: so we understand what that. 596 00:28:51,560 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 4: Need is before we close. 597 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:56,480 Speaker 1: Is there anything you wish more people understood about the 598 00:28:56,520 --> 00:28:59,680 Speaker 1: mental health challenges officers face today? 599 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:02,360 Speaker 2: It's different for everyone. 600 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 3: I think it's you know, unfortunately you don't you never 601 00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:07,320 Speaker 3: know exactly what it is that someone has gone through 602 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:10,080 Speaker 3: and their their walk of life, and you know, it's 603 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:13,360 Speaker 3: hard to you can't judge anybody for what they're going through. 604 00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:18,120 Speaker 3: And we see in these moments of suicide, when an 605 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:21,800 Speaker 3: officer commits suicide, it's very unfortunate to see the lack 606 00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:26,840 Speaker 3: of representation from police officers and the departments, and typically 607 00:29:26,840 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 3: you only see family. 608 00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:28,880 Speaker 2: Go out to these funerals. 609 00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:30,720 Speaker 3: That if someone gets shot in the nine of duty, 610 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:34,560 Speaker 3: you have thousands of people traveling down to these funerals. 611 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:38,880 Speaker 3: So why isn't that these individuals are honored for their 612 00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:41,560 Speaker 3: sacrifice for what it is that they've done thus far, 613 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:45,000 Speaker 3: you know, and we can't judge them for committing this 614 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,720 Speaker 3: act and unfortunately taking their lives. 615 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 2: So it's it's frustrating to see that. 616 00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:56,000 Speaker 3: I'm hoping that that's something that we're actively working on changing, 617 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:59,400 Speaker 3: is honoring the life of someone that commits suicide and 618 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 3: honoring what they've done thus far. You're not honoring their 619 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 3: act of committee suicide, you're honoring their service that they 620 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:10,080 Speaker 3: did prior to that. And you know, even when we 621 00:30:10,120 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 3: do do that, who are we to judge what it 622 00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:14,640 Speaker 3: is that they did. 623 00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:16,520 Speaker 2: We don't know what they went through. 624 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:21,600 Speaker 3: So rather than bashing it, let's try to learn from 625 00:30:21,600 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 3: these instances. 626 00:30:23,760 --> 00:30:26,960 Speaker 1: Miami Day Sheriffs Hopicide Detective Morales, thank you so much 627 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:29,920 Speaker 1: for your time today sharing your story and also talking 628 00:30:29,960 --> 00:30:31,920 Speaker 1: about such an important topic. 629 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 4: Thank you, Danny for everything you do. 630 00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 2: Thank you again for having me. 631 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:44,080 Speaker 1: Cold case files Miami is a production of Iheart's Michael 632 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:47,480 Speaker 1: Duda podcast Network and the School of Humans. I'm your host, 633 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:51,800 Speaker 1: Imdriques Santos. This show was written and researched by Marissa Brown. 634 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:55,480 Speaker 1: Our lead producer is Josh Thain. He Elis Perees is 635 00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:58,960 Speaker 1: our senior producer, sound design and mixed by Josh Thain, 636 00:30:59,720 --> 00:31:03,840 Speaker 1: back checking by Savannah Hugley. Our production manager is Daisy Church. 637 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:07,880 Speaker 1: Special thanks to Jula Ramirez from my production team. Our 638 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:13,720 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio executive producers including me Endrique Santros, carl Cadel and 639 00:31:13,920 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 1: Arlene Santana, and Virginia Prescott, Brandon Barr and Elsie Crowley 640 00:31:19,040 --> 00:31:22,520 Speaker 1: from School of Humans. For more podcasts, listen to the 641 00:31:22,520 --> 00:31:25,800 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your 642 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:27,720 Speaker 1: favorite shows.