Edition 40 - Are you missing on the joy of keeping others safe?

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Are you missing on the joy of keeping others safe?

When I was a manager in policing, how I felt about a situation or the joy I got from solving a problem was of little interest to those I was reporting up to. We would have daily, weekly and monthly meetings on the crime stats, where I was required to provide detailed analysis of the various statistics, and my plans to improve the results.?

Throughout my career, I learned to suppress my emotions and whilst not being robotic, I was required to be dispassionate as we were driven by the evidence and required to remain open minded.

Transitioning from a career spanning 33 years in the British Army and Metropolitan Police to founding Defuse Global in 2019 has been a transformative experience. I've come to realise the significance of expressing emotions and empathy in the security and investigations industry.?

In recent weeks, I've embraced a new perspective on decision-making and communication, thanks to insights gained during sessions with experts in strategy and coaching such as Adam Strong and Les Evans.?

Understanding that humans make decisions based on emotions, and then use the logical side of the brain to rationalise their decisions has been a profound realisation for me. This shift has highlighted the importance of not only relying on statistics but also conveying the emotional impact our services have on clients. It will also impact on how I market and sell my services in future.

Many of us in the security and investigative industries share a deep sense of compassion and dedication to making a difference in people's lives. While the sector may be perceived as serious and emotionless, the truth is that empathy and passion drive us to ensure the safety and well-being of others. Our commitment to integrity and genuine care defines our approach to providing security and support.

As we continue to dedicate ourselves to helping others feel safer, let's remember the power of empathy and the profound impact it has on our clients and communities. Together, we can make a real difference through our shared values and unwavering commitment to service.?

I am frustrated by the prevalence of workplace unhappiness and anxiety, especially due to abuse and feeling unsafe. It's time for the UK security and investigative industries to adopt science-based approaches, identifying and addressing threats and risks effectively.

With that in mind I am really looking forward to working with Optimal Risk ? on Wednesday when we deliver our Violence Prevention and Behavioural Threat Management training.

It is going to be emotional! ??

Email [email protected] for one of the last remaining spaces.

Once upon a time, integrity was non-negotiable.?

Recent events highlight the critical importance of conducting thorough background checks and due diligence. Failing to do so can lead to disastrous consequences, from tarnished reputations to financial losses.?

In a recent scandal involving the Chief Constable of Northants Police being sacked, it was revealed that he achieved success through dishonesty on his CV and wearing military medals he had not earned.

Simple investigative processes could have quickly uncovered the lies, emphasizing the need for proper vetting procedures.

In this case this individual claimed he had served in the Royal Navy for 10 years, when he had served for only two; had attended the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College, despite his application being rejected; and had been a military negotiator in Haiti, when he had never been to the country.

Each of these dishonest claims would have been quickly proven to have been what they were, lies, had simple investigative processes been completed.

Nigel Farage , leader of the Report Party has also found answering difficult questions this week, due to an apparent failure by the company he employed to conduct the vetting of the party’s candidates, threatening to now sue the company

At the same time, the election for the next MP of Plymouth has been overshadowed by two veterans arguing over who military careers are the most accurate.

These cases serve as a stark reminder that credentials should not be taken at face value. Organisations must go beyond box-ticking exercises and truly investigate the accuracy and credibility of applicants' claims.

Defuse specialises in intelligence-based background investigations, complemented by psychometric tests and psychologist interviews.

The key takeaway is clear: don't gamble with background checks.

?Thorough investigations protect your organization's reputation and ensure you recruit the best candidate.

Contact me to request more details about our background investigations.

The Defuse Podcast - Psychology 101 - Part 1 and 2 -

Demystifying Psychological Labels: A Deep Dive into Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Personality Disorders, Psychopaths, Sociopaths, Pathology, Fixation and the impact of Social Media with Dr Caroline Logan.

Dr Caroline Logan is a Consultant and Forensic Clinical Psychologist. For nearly 30 years, she has worked as a researcher and honorary senior lecturer at the Universities of Liverpool and Manchester in the UK, as a lead clinician in secure forensic mental health services in the north of England and Norway, and as a consultant/contractor with law enforcement services in the UK and elsewhere.

Dr Logan has ongoing clinical and research interests in personality disorder (including psychopathy), risk, violent extremism, and forensic clinical interviewing, and she has a special interest in gender issues in the range of offending behaviour. She has published five books and over 70 articles on these subjects, including Violent Extremism: A Handbook of Risk Assessment and Management ?co-edited with Randy Borum and Paul Gill, published in November 2023, and a second edition of Managing Clinical Risk: A Guide to Effective Practice ? co-edited with Lorraine Johnstone, published in December 2023. ?

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Click here to listen to other episodes of The Defuse Podcast.

Always good to be included in a post about superstar Robbie Williams.

?Huge thanks to TV presenter and novelist Richard Madeley for his very kind words in this article in Saturday’s Daily Express.

If anything in this newsletter has caused you to think you may benefit from our help, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Remember, if you want to feel safer, choose Defuse!

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