Body Cams Lie: Rock Drummer Turned Cop Jamie Borden on What Videos Miss | Reasons We Serve EP 184

A DA charged a man with murder based on a video, and that same video got him acquitted. Retired cop, use-of-force expert, and professional rock drummer Jamie Borden explains what police videos don't show.
 
Jamie Borden retired from the Henderson Police Department outside Las Vegas in 2018 after a career in patrol, undercover narcotics, and training. At his chief's request, he built the department's use-of-force training and analysis unit. Today he's the founder of Critical Incident Review and the author of eight published works on law enforcement. He has worked around 400 cases and testified about 55 times in courtrooms across the country.
 
He's also been a professional drummer since he was 14. For his whole police career, his band Phoenix headlined Las Vegas Strip venues like Mandalay Bay and the Bellagio. He even stepped away from the badge for a short time to tour with Aerosmith guitarist Jimmy Crespo and the violinist from Kansas. At 52, he sang on a record for the first time, a 13-song album called Between Two Hats, and every dime from his recordings goes to the Wounded Blue.
 
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why body-cam fisheye distortion makes 12 feet look like 24
• Why every video Jamie reviewed surprised him when he compared it to the officer's statement
• A 75-year-old pastor who came in anti-police and left with no questions after one session in a 300-degree deadly-force simulator
• How a forensic look at a faint smoke reflection freed a man charged with second-degree murder
• How playing in a rock band kept him balanced through a career in police work
• How hard Tom Sawyer, Hot for Teacher, and Sultans of Swing really are on drums
• The night he busted a headlining band's road manager before the show
• His answer to the question: drummer or cop? 

Whether you wear the badge, play the drums, or just want the truth behind the next viral police video, this conversation will change how you see both.
 
👉 Subscribe for new service stories every week.
👍 If you liked this interview, please give us a 5-star review.
💬 Comment below: drummers, which song do you think is the hardest to play?
🔁 Share this with someone who judges police videos in the first 10 seconds. 

Listen next:
• My interview with Danny King, Jamie's partner in building the use-of-force unit
Episode 164-Why This Cop Anchored Every Dresser in His House! 

• Randy Sutton and the Wounded Blue Episode
154-Betrayed by His Own Department After 34 Years - Retired Las Vegas Metro Police Lt. Randy Sutton 

Find Jamie Borden:
Critical Incident Review: criticalincidentreview.com
Book: Beyond the Frame: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Evidence and Reality
Album: Between Two Hats 

Reasons We Serve is an interview podcast with the people who answered the call: law enforcement, military, and first responders. Hosted by Niles Gooding, a retired 25-year DEA Special Agent.

🎙️ Know someone with a story to tell? contactreasonsweserve@gmail.com