The Next Shift Podcast
This is a podcast dedicated to serving current and former law enforcement, by sharing the stories of my own personal transition out of law enforcement, lessons learned through the transition and since, as well as the stories of officers who’ve also transitioned out, their significant others to gain that perspective, and resources for embracing their Next Shift.
It is MY mission to help YOU remember who you are/were behind the badge by helping you REdiscover your identity, REdefine your purpose, and REignite your passions so that you can create the life you WANT to live.
The Next Shift Podcast
"You'll know when it's time to go."
This week's episode is a chat with Lou Forst, a retired Lieutenant from Newark PD in New Jersey.
Lou discusses being born and raised in New Jersey, then spending his entire policing career at Newark PD, in various units like patrol, Vice, Narcotics, Gang, Sergeant on Patrol, IA, and the academy.
From 2010 to 2014, Newark had NO new hires, but from 2014-2019 they hired 485 new officers. Lou was a large part of that hiring craze and at the end of it, his boss told him he needed to take a month off, due to built up time. Lou was up for it, as he hadn't taken vacation like that since the 90s, when he got hired on.
On the last day of his month long vacation, Lou came to the realization he was ready to retire. He told his wife and when she asked where that idea came from, he recalled an old Lieutenant telling him he would know when it was time. Lou followed his gut and turned in his retirement paperwork, feeling a sense of relief. Lou described the feelings he had as he went 10-42 for the last time, as pride and finality.
Like so many cops...he was shocked to find out "retired life" wasn't really for him. A couple of months in and chilling at home, his wife encouraged him to get a job, so he worked at Home Depot as the cart guy. That lasted about five months, but he embraced it and made the most of it...realizing you have to have purpose in the work you're doing.
Lou now creates LE curriculum and leads trainings through Penn State University, which fulfills his purpose of giving back to the career he fell in love with.
Make sure you connect with LOU on LinkedIn, here.
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See you Next Shift