40: School Resource Officer lessons in mentoring and negotiating with suspects

Thad Kirkhoff started his law enforcement career after graduating from Western Washington University and enlisting into the United States Army.  He served two tours in Iraq and moved back to WA where his wife and his families were.
 
He began his career with the Renton Police Department in 2007 and served as an officer for 14 years.  He held roles as a firearms instructor, Field Training Officer, Hostage Negotiator, and School Resource Officer at Renton High School.  

*A story we didn’t cover was when there was a suspect who climbed up on the roof of an apartment building, trying to escape arrest. Before you get all worried, it wasn’t super tall and he got up there by way of balcony, and he kept trying to get to another one to drop back down to flee.
 
We had the place locked down and I was there with my trusty pup, Kato.  Thad got called in as a negotiator.  The suspect kept walking back and forth and for periods of time just sat and stared at us. Thad, trying to get up higher to chat with him and connect went up on the big ladder truck.    The suspect had no chance of escaping, but just wouldn’t come down.  A true test of patience.. eventually he was arrested without a ton more hubbub.  

When Thad and I recounted this call, the best guess we had for how long it took was somewhere before “hours” and “way too long.” Back to the show…  

We discuss Thad's devotion to his wife and four children (ages 15, 14, 11, and 9) and reasons for retiring.  Discussions of how we serve in and out of the uniform as well as his new chapter as a Mortgage Loan Officer for Guaranteed Rate to help people in a new, refreshing way.  (He gives a first responder discount!)

You can contact him at Thad.Kerkhoff@rate.com 

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*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic