In this episode, we interview Tyler Caffee, the brother of Correctional Officer Jami Bowechop. Jami worked at the California State Prison, Corcoran for nine years before she died by suicide in 2016. Tyler shares about their family history, how Jami’s death impacted their family, and reasons why he believes Jami took her own life: Jami reported a use of force incident as a whistleblower and kept a detailed journal about the harassment and retaliation she experienced at work. After being fired for a separate allegation, she took her own life at the age of thirty.

You can access The Staff Assistant Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Audible or Google Podcasts.

Episode 49: Selena

In this episode, we interview “Selena,” a female correctional officer who works in a maximum security correctional setting. She discusses growing up with a distant mother and an alcoholic father, and the impact these early relationships had when she became a parent herself. We explore her post-partum depression, lack of emotional connection with her child, and her suicidal thoughts. She also discusses her anxiety related to commuting to work, particularly during inclement weather. “Selena” provides a look into the common issues most women are struggling with outside of work.

In this episode, we interview board certified psychologist Dr. Joel Fay. Joel spent six years in the US Army as a military police officer and as an investigative specialist. He joined the LAPD for a 5 year period, before transferring to the San Rafael Police Department, where he spent the next 23+ years. During his career in law enforcement, he worked a variety of positions including SWAT, hostage negotiation, canine, drug recognition and as a mental health liaison officer.

While working for San Rafael PD, he obtained his doctorate in clinical psychology and became licensed as a clinical psychologist. It was following the tragic death of four Oakland police officers that he began seeing first responders in his private practice, and would do so after working his shift on patrol.

Joel is the founder of the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat, which is a six day intensive retreat specifically for first responders and law enforcement, and the retreat is now facilitated by the First Responder Support Network. Joel is currently working in full time private practice in San Rafael, and continues to teach and consult with a variety of police departments in the Bay Area.

https://www.joelfay.com

https://www.frsn.org