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“Have you ever shot someone?” Most cops will be asked this throughout their careers, including myself. Most cops go to retirement without having to take a life. Then others have been involved in multiple officer-involved shootings (OIS). Most of the time, there is no rhyme or reason to this. Although your chances of being involved in an OIS are much greater if you are actually doing police work and not hiding behind a desk for 25 years.
Welcome everyone to part one of one of the most dramatic and impactful stories I have ever encountered since I started this podcast with Police Officer Michael Martinez of the San Diego Police Department. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!
A little about Mike. Michael Martinez has been a police officer with the San Diego Police Department for about 10 years. After phase training, he was assigned to the Southern Division, where he had the opportunity to work a variety of assignments, including Patrol, Acting Detective, and Field Training Officer.
Officer Martinez has been involved in four Officer-Involved Shootings, the first three within his first 18 months after field training. He took advantage of a career-and life-changing opportunity that was offered to him by the San Diego Police Department’s Wellness Unit. He was diagnosed with PTSD and now shares his story with fellow law enforcement officers. He is currently a member of the Department’s OIS Peer Support Team and is currently assigned to the Department’s Wellness Unit. Officer Martinez has received numerous awards and commendations, including a Medal for Valor. He truly believes his assignment is his calling to help others who are struggling in silence. His goal is to break the stigma of seeking and receiving help within the first responder profession and to be a resource to officers and their families.
Mike is as genuine as they get. I admire his honesty and willingness to help other cops who have gone through the trauma of being in an OIS. Please enjoy this frank and powerful interview with Police Officer Mike Martinez.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
· Thank you, Mike, for your openness and honesty with this subject matter.
· Growing up in San Diego and being a troubled youth.
· Getting sucked into the gangster lifestyle as a kid.
· Leaving San Diego and going to college in Hawaii.
· Working as a security officer in Hawaii, especially dealing with violent / emotionally disturbed people. How that prepare him to become a cop.
· Non-cops being first responders to calls dealing with violent, emotionally ill people.
· Working in corrections.
· Moving back to San Diego and working as animal control as a road to becoming a San Diego Police officer. Interesting or funny assignments regarding that and evacuating animals during wildfires.
· Getting on the SDPD at age 30. Pros and cons.
· His first OIS. What were the physiological and psychological effects?
· Deteriorating home life after the shooting.
· Abusing alcohol to ease the physiological and psychological effects of being in the shooting.
· Backlash from the media and possibly friends and family.
All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.
Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop!
Head on over to my website!
What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?
My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.
That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.
Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon.
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