#ILEETA Live – An interview with Coach Bob Lindsey

ILEETA Live Show Notes – June 2025 Episode

The June 2025 episode of ILEETA Live delivered an unforgettable night of wisdom, stories, and connection featuring none other than legendary law enforcement trainer Coach Bob Lindsay.

The episode opened with hosts Joe Willis, Duane Wolfe, and Brian Hill sharing behind-the-scenes updates from ILEETA’s fast-growing world. From participating in the executive protection conferences (CIPE) in Mexico to attending the Ohio Tactical Officers Association (OTOA) Conference in Ohio, the team has been busy building relationships. They reminded members that instructor proposals for the 2026 conference are open, bundle memberships are available for agencies, and corporate sponsorships continue to make professional development opportunities possible, including impressive tuition discounts like one member’s $10,000 doctoral savings.

The hosts also spotlighted the ILEETA Journal and its upcoming September 10 submission deadline. Duane shared why writing for the Journal matters: it boosts professional credibility, can lead to instructor opportunities, and even strengthens resumes for roles like expert witness work. If you’ve been hesitant to submit, the team encouraged members to overcome fear and share their voice.

Before bringing Coach Lindsay to the screen, the team took a moment to reflect on the recent observances of Correctional Officers Week, Police Week, and Peace Officers Memorial Week, honoring those who serve and those lost in the line of duty. It was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made daily in the law enforcement community.

Then came the highlight.

Coach Bob Lindsay, a New Orleans law enforcement icon since the 1960s, joined the show from his home in Louisiana. With humor, humility, and deep reflection, Coach shared stories from his decades of service, from his early days walking Bourbon Street beats to his rise as a homicide detective and later as colonel in Jefferson Parish. He spoke about the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood in policing, his advocacy for women and people of color in law enforcement, and his commitment to helping others, both on and off duty.

Perhaps most striking was Coach’s candidness about his own struggles with violence, alcoholism, and personal hardships and his message of resilience, redemption, and self-care. Over and over, he reminded viewers: “Never be afraid to ask for help.” His heartfelt mantra, “Without you, there is no me,” resonated deeply, underscoring the importance of community and connection.

Coach’s gratitude for the law enforcement family was palpable, and his challenge to viewers was clear: take care of yourself, take care of each other, and stay true to your purpose.

The episode also debuted a new segment: ILEETA Instructor Development Tips.

Brian Hill advised instructors to own the room, even when handed a last-minute lesson plan — prepare quickly, project confidence, and never announce “this is my first time teaching this.”
Joe Willis emphasized the power of the pause, encouraging instructors to use silence and non-verbal connection to deepen learning.
Duane Wolfe reminded members to study how people actually learn, integrating evidence-based strategies like effortful retrieval and desirable difficulty to improve retention and avoid training scars.

Finally, the team previewed upcoming milestones:

Instructor proposals open now
Conference registration opens July 1
Journal submissions due September 10
Instructor selection announcements by November 10
First draft conference schedule by December 10

They closed the night with heartfelt reflections on the ILEETA community, reinforcing that this organization is more than just a professional network — it’s a family. As Duane and Joe both echoed, the spirit of “non soulless” — never alone — runs deep at ILEETA.

For law enforcement professionals seeking inspiration, connection, and actionable insights, this episode was one for the books.

In the interested transparency, this post was edited and improved by AI