STEINBECK'S SHADOWS to BADGE: Teacher's Wild Cop Ride Through IA & Use of Force Reforms!

Buckle up for an unfiltered dive into the raw underbelly of policing with host Marlon Marrache and guest John Donchig—a former English lit whiz who traded poetry slams for patrol cars in 2006.

From dissecting Of Mice and Men's chilling foreshadowing to facing real-life "bullet for a buck" doubts in the academy, John spills on the cognitive dissonance of swapping chalkboards for handcuffs.

We unpack the gut-wrenching evolution of Internal Affairs: from witch-hunt isolation to lifeline support, why "punishment is the process," and how IA trauma deserves a spot in mental wellness talks. Hear insider scoops on CALFIA's push for "better training = better policing," the seismic shifts in AB 392 and Penal Code 835a (RIP to the old three-sentence rubber stamp), and why small agencies need playbooks for hospitalized suspects—not in-house cover-ups.

Plus, heart-stoppers like the baby-not-breathing call that haunts forever, and John's golden nugget: "What got you here won't get you there—stay curious or crash." If you're eyeing the badge, craving cop wisdom, or just love a Capricorn's Poe-fueled grit, this is your siren call.

Tune in, stay safe, and remember: You're a human first, cop second!

#policeforce #copstories #cops #lawenforcement #crime #policeofficer #internalaffairs #police #podcast #lapd #deputy

Marlon's Info:
Website: https://www.bluconsultinginc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iaguypodcas...
Linked IN:   / marlon-marrache  

John's Info:
Linked IN:   / john-donchig-050a45225  
Website: https://calfia.org/

Time Stamp:
00:00 - Welcome & Teacher Roots
02:45 - From Classroom to Cop
05:30 - Academy Doubts & Reality Check
08:15 - The Death Speech
11:00 - IA Blind Spots in Training
14:20 - IA Evolution: Witch Hunt to Fair Play
18:45 - Punishment in the Process
22:10 - Admin Leave Lifelines
26:00 - Advice for IA Sergeants
29:30 - Career Growth Mantra
33:15 - Cal F Origins & Mission
37:00 - Force Law Overhaul
41:20 - Training Gaps Exposed
45:10 - Critical Incident Playbooks
48:50 - Haunting Call: Baby's Last Breath
52:30 - Mental Health Wins
55:45 - Dodger Die-Hards Unite
58:20 - Badge Advice