Dave Edmonds

Dave Edmonds is APB’s contributing editor, a 34-year LEO and a retired Sonoma County Sheriff’s captain who’s worked SWAT, FTO, sex crimes, homicide, polygraph, internal affairs and more. He has donated over 3,000 volunteer hours to do-gooding local nonprofits and has been married 36 years (ugh!); his two sons are cops. Likes: iron, cycling, racquetball, Gonzaga (M.A. org. leadership). Turn-offs: lazy or bully cops and over-promoted, spineless, sycophantic brass. He makes cool pipes (www.publicsafetypipes.com). Make your LEO life better on his program: www.360armor.org/guidebook. Contact him by cell at (707) 490-9010 or email at dedmonds@apbweb.com.

How to retire angry

You’ve got years in this pursuit — don’t let your investment slip away

November 1, 2020

Reflecting on all the changes this job has molded into your life and character, most of you see it as a net plus. Sure, there are some minuses, but still […] Read More

How to lead a top-notch team

Advice for new sergeants

October 14, 2020

Most new sergeants attend a basic supervisor class, but I’ve never seen a “how to be a good sergeant” course. If you’re lucky, some of the old guard might be […] Read More

Cop Hobbies: Woodcarving

October 1, 2020

When I was promoted into the Violent Crimes Unit, I quickly realized that I needed a hobby to help clear my mind and make my off-duty hours as restorative as possible. I heard about an elderly lady who taught woodcarving from her home. I’m not artistic, but signed up anyway. Read More

What I should have said to my friend

If you had the chance to convince a fellow officer not to commit suicide, what would you say?

September 23, 2020

He was the old bull on graveyard shift. He worked west beat and I was the eager young gun on the adjoining river beat, and I loved him. He occasionally […] Read More