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Navigating the Challenges with Chief David Rivero (UMPD)

Law enforcement officers do a crucial job of protecting citizens. This demanding career comes with a ton of challenges and traumatic scenes. A normal human being will see one or two traumatic events in their lifetime. To a cop, that number shoots to over 300+ incidents in their lifetime. Such events lead to some cops killing themselves or engaging in unethical practices such as drugs, multiple partners, and other activities that endanger their lives. Strong moral, social, and spiritual support is needed to help these officers cope and navigate the challenges they face.

Despite that, Chief David Rivero has had a successful law enforcement career for over 40 years, 38 years of marriage with the same wife. Chief Rivero joins us in this episode to share insights, inspirations, and ways to navigate the terrific challenges that police officers have.

 David A. Rivero joined the University of Miami in October of 2006 after retiring from an impressive 26-year career with the City of Miami Police Department as a Major. He arrived at the University with a modern, comprehensive vision for the UM Police Department (UMPD), and set out to make UMPD a national model for professionalism and community-oriented policing.

Key Highlights from the Episode

[00:01 ] Intro 

[02:32 ] What inspired Chief David Rivero into law enforcement despite other careers

[07:00 ] The life of a homicide cop that very few people know about

[11:01 ] How Chief Rivero has been able to remain compassionate as a cop

[14:10 ] Negative ways police officers deal with trauma

[16:02 ] Other great achievements in the Miami PD 

[20:51 ] How important is God in one’s life?

[26:52 ] Terrific challenges among police officers, how he has survived, and his advice

[33:14 ] How Chief Rivero keeps his family safe from the effects of policing incidents 

[43:16 ] Balancing between the laws of God, laws of man, and laws of nature as a cop

[47:25 ] Overview of the police department at the University of Miami

[51:03 ] Chief Rivero’s love for arts

[54:24 ] Episode wrap up

Notable Quotes 

• In a homicide scene, you never leave the place until you have collected everything you need. Once you leave the site, you will never get the information you want. 
• A normal human being sees one or two traumatic things in a lifetime. Cops see 300 to 400 in their lifetime.
• So many traumatic scenes affect an officer's life. 
• Humor is often a coping defense mechanisms for police officers.
• As a cop, always keep your family away from your job.