Leadership Under Fire: Crisis Communication Lessons from 30 Years in Law Enforcement

Feb 19, 2026

Host Cyndee Woolley sits down with Tom Smith, a retired NYPD detective with 30 years of investigative experience, including 17 years on the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. Inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame in 2024, Tom brings unparalleled insights into high-stakes communication and leadership under pressure. 

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Tom reveals the number one skill every law enforcement professional needs: exceptional communication abilities. “If you can’t talk to people, you’re not going to be successful,” he emphasizes, sharing how he mastered briefing government officials on cases where one wrong word could change national policy. 

From coordinating international terrorism investigations to managing information across competing agencies, Tom shares hard-earned lessons about crisis communication. He discusses building trust among agencies with competing egos, maintaining transparency with media while protecting active investigations, and the critical importance of information sharing when lives are on the line. 

Beyond tactical insights, Tom opens up about the mental health challenges facing law enforcement and first responders. He candidly shares his experience with violent nightmares during his career, explaining how his wife helped him process the trauma. “The normal average human being will go through two or three traumatic events in a lifetime. I would do that in a half hour.” 

Tom co-hosts the Gold Shields podcast with former partner Dan Murphy, now in their fourth season with 149 episodes. The show provides a backstage pass into high-profile investigations and military operations, showcasing the extraordinary work of service members while addressing the emotional toll. Tom also serves as Chief Operations Officer at Impact Solutions and on the board of Wheelchairs for Warriors, providing life-changing mobility solutions to injured first responders and military personnel. 

This episode offers invaluable lessons for anyone leading through crisis, managing stakeholder communications, or building trust in high-pressure environments. 

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