DOCJT Launches Bluegrass Beat Podcast
Striving to offer more training content to its clients, the Department of Criminal Justice Training is unveiling a new podcast – Bluegrass Beat.
“This is a product that will benefit our clients who enjoy listening to leaders in this field share their insight and experiences on training-related topics,” DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek said. “Many months of planning and research have gone into this project to tailor Bluegrass Beat to our clients’ needs and interests.”
The podcast, hosted by Public Information Officer Critley King-Smith, will offer in-depth conversations about the latest topics and critical news affecting law enforcement officers and telecommunicators. Look for episodes to feature training, technology, public safety life, leadership, case studies and more.
“(Bluegrass Beat) will provide news, training information, and firsthand accounts from Kentucky’s leading law enforcement professionals,” King-Smith said. “It joins DOCJT’s growing list of products, such as KLEmagazine.com and Roll Call videos, and is created to be an extension of the information we provide here at the department.”
Recognizing that many of our clients spend a great deal of time in their cruisers, one of the goals of the podcast is to offer something the public safety community can listen to while they are behind the wheel or leisurely as they go about their day.
“That’s where Bluegrass Beat comes in,” King-Smith added. “If it’s important to our law enforcement or dispatch clients, you can expect it to be covered, at some point, on the podcast.”
Depending on the topic, podcast episodes will run between 20 and 30 minutes, on average. The first season will begin with a deep dive into leadership topics.
“We are hoping to provide discussion on training topics, interviewing some of the fascinating and inspiring people we have working within our public safety family,” King-Smith explained. “But most importantly, and what makes the podcast unique, is that it will connect our client’s ears directly to our instructors. I think there is something incredibly valuable in hearing directly from a subject matter expert — and DOCJT and the commonwealth have many voices that we are excited to share.”
Bluegrass Beat will be published monthly but may add an extra episode or two if the opportunity arises.
“The DOCJT Public Information Office has spent the past 22 years developing informational content to provide to our clients when they’re not on the DOCJT campus,” said DOCJT Public Information Supervisor Kelly Foreman. “This podcast is exciting, to me, because it fills a gap – whether you prefer reading, watching or listening, DOCJT has created an avenue for you to continue learning and being informed. We are so grateful for the support from DOCJT executive staff and the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet to launch this new initiative.”
DOCJT’s clients who are already signed up to receive the agency’s monthly Dispatches will have the Bluegrass Beat link delivered directly to their email inboxes. Additionally, Bluegrass Beat will have a home on DOCJT’s website and can be found on Apple Podcasts.
Anyone with topic suggestions should email King-Smith.
