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When the headlines fixate on big-city crime and national politics, the daily realities of small and rural law enforcement fade from view. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley talks with award-winning journalist and rural LEO advocate Kathleen Dias about the communities where officers patrol alone for miles, train less because grants dry up and keep rolling on bald tires because budgets don’t stretch.
They discuss the human stakes behind the statistics — from the sheer number of tiny agencies serving towns under 10,000 to the compounding effects of federal funding gaps — and the practical steps chiefs, sheriffs and local leaders can take now to keep their people safe.
About our guest
Kathleen Dias, 2025 Neal Award winner for best commentary, and 2023 Neal Award finalist, writes features and news analysis on topics of concern to law enforcement professionals serving in rural and remote locations. She uses her background in writing, teaching and marketing to advocate for professional levels of training and equipment for rural officers, open channels of communication for isolated departments, and dispel myths about rural policing. She’s had a front-row seat observing rural agencies — local, state and federal — from the Sierra foothills to California’s notorious Emerald Triangle, for more than 30 years. Follow Kathleen on Police1 and on her Facebook blog, The Rural Badge.
About our sponsor
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Tune in to hear
- Why a deputy was ordered to keep driving on tires worn to the cords
- How a Tennessee rookie and his arrestee drowned on a road that ended in a river
- What happens when officers have to text for backup because radios don’t work
- Why some rural sheriffs can’t afford their own insulin
- How one chief uses the 1033 surplus program to stock up on printer paper and toilet paper just to stretch his budget
Key takeaways from this episode
Small doesn’t mean safe: Rural and small-town officers face serious risks. In several recent years, up to half of officers feloniously killed by gunfire served in small communities, proving danger isn’t confined to cities.
Funding gaps leave cracks: Grant delays, training cutbacks and aging gear hit smaller agencies hardest, limiting access to critical tools and professional development.
De-escalation is essential: With limited staffing and long backup times, rural officers depend on patience, communication and relationships to defuse volatile encounters safely.
Training and equipment save lives: Weak field training programs, outdated patrol vehicles and poor radio coverage aren’t small problems — they create real hazards and liability.
Real solutions are within reach: Regional cooperation, better use of federal surplus programs, community “Stop the Bleed” training and fairer pay and benefits can help small agencies protect both officers and residents.
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