On this episode of The Safe and Sound Podcast, we are joined by two incredible guests: Jeff Alexander from Chewjitsu Open and Kristen Slaper, Director of Public Safety Initiatives at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, to discuss the upcoming Battle of Boots and Badges.

The Battle of Boots and Badges is a Jiu-Jitsu tournament designed to promote wellness, build resilience, and strengthen the connection between the law enforcement and veteran communities. This event, which features competitors of all skill levels, highlights the critical need for law enforcement and first responders to prioritize physical, mental, and emotional wellness.

This year’s date is August 8th, 2026

Registration for the event is open at: https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/who-we-are/public-safety-initiatives/battle-of-boots-and-badges/battle-of-boots-and-badges

This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Office of Veteran Services, and the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, with support from The Ohio State University, Chewjitsu Open, and Rocky Boots.

In this episode, DPS Director Andy Wilson speaks with Haley Melcher, the Director of Development for Special Olympics Ohio and Manager of Partnerships & Events for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Brandon Long, a Detective with the Hilliard Division of Police and State Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and Sandy Fent from the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of First Responder Wellness about the importance of supporting the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Polar Plunge, a fundraising effort for Special Olympics Ohio that YOU can take part in VERY SOON!

https://sooh.org/law-enforcement-torch-run/

https://sooh.org/polar-plunge/

Haley Melcher: hmelcher@sooh.org

Brandon Long: blong@hilliardohio.gov

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠publicsafety.ohio.gov⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode DPS Director Andy Wilson speaks with Emily Torok, the Executive Director of the Ohio School Safety Center and Burke Engelhardt, a Mobile Training Officer for the Ohio School Safety Center who was the first person to arrive and preformed life-saving measures on a student after a shooting.

Ohio School Safety Center Website

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit ⁠⁠⁠publicsafety.ohio.gov⁠⁠⁠.

Social Media

• ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠