Episode 88 retired San Diego Police Department Sergeant Detective David Contreras

Interview with retired San Diego Police Department Sergeant Detective David Contreras

Years of Service: 1985-2015

Born in Tijuana, Mexico, David came to the United States and, as a young child, knew he wanted to become a police officer. As David explains, he always had a sheepdog mentality and was always looking to defend the weaker kids who were getting picked on by bullies and saw law enforcement as a way to protect others who were being preyed upon.

As a young man, David became the founder and Executive Director of the New Life Rehabilitation Center for drug addicts and hardcore gang members. David explains that it was here that he learned his communication skills and began his education in how to deal with gang members and drug addicts and developed a philosophy to never believe anyone without first looking into the facts.

David was later hired as a corrections officer, where he worked with maximum security inmates, and developed expertise in gangs, and furthered his street education in dealing with people from all walks of life.

At 28 years old, David was recruited by a mentor to the San Diego Police Department, where he began a long and storied career. With 8 months on patrol, David talks about what it was like working in San Diego in heavy crime and gang-ridden areas and tells the story of purchasing drugs in full uniform.

Throughout his career, David worked in the gang unit, internal affairs, narcotics, community relations and was the assistant to the chief of police. Most importantly, David worked for the Criminal Intelligence Unit which worked as the Mexican Liaison group, working directly with the Mexican Government on crimes such as rape, robbery, narcotics, and murder. The CIU unit worked in Mexico, where David and his team often found themselves searching for suspects from the United States hiding in Mexico.

David is the co-author of the book “When the Music Stops! The Pain Begins” which discusses the troubles law enforcement officers have reintegrating into society after a career in policing.

David is also working on his second book about active shooters, their mentality, and the after-effects.

Finally, David is the co-host of three podcasts.

The Grey Line The Story Behind the Blue Line where he and his co-hosts talk to various guests about law enforcement as well as suspects they dealt with, as well as the spin-off podcast called Ash Wednesday, where they discuss numerous topics. If you love God, Family, Country, Whiskey and a great cigar this podcast is for you.

And lastly, the podcast “The Three Chingones” which is a boxing podcast where David and his co-hosts discuss past and present boxers and boxing matches and provide their analysis.

The Grey Line the Story Behind the Blue Line: https://www.youtube.com/@thegraylinepodcast
Los #3 Chingones Boxing: https://www.youtube.com/@UCw9Unx2Voqn9AR2-ssdhe1w
When The Music Stops! The Pain Begins: https://www.amazon.com/When-Music-Stops-Pain-Begins/dp/1936986574/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QTSG5EVOKX1T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.F8W7lBw2vzBtGT-68SqnR9VaLK4zdM6QWIQGbqsSfDnGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.xUAfE_DK9dUi5HsJVTZdXFb1WACFGK2deUA1sOvai08&dib_tag=se&keywords=when+the+music+stops+the+pain+begins&qid=1734790354&sprefix=when+the+music+stops+the+pain+begins%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1

01:00 Introduction
04:14 Personal Reflections and Family Background
06:29 Sheepdog Mentality and Influences
27:33 Challenges and Discrimination in Corrections
33:40 Transition to San Diego PD
34:19 Cultivating Informants and Expertise
38:39 Reflections on Career and Personal Growth
40:40 A Sobering Prediction
43:07 The Downward Spiral Begins
44:08 A Career Consumed by Cynicism
45:55 First Day on Patrol
47:53 The Trench Coat Operation
53:26 Community Relations and Policing
54:02 Building Trust in the Community
59:04 Gang Violence in San Diego
01:02:42 The Drug Epidemic
01:04:27 Racial Segregation in Gangs
01:07:40 From Community Relations to Gangs
01:08:28 Family and Personal Life
01:10:31 Leadership and Mentorship
01:13:03 Passion for the Community
01:14:07 Becoming the Liaison for the Latino Community
01:16:10 Forming Advisory Boards
01:17:42 9/11 and Community Relations
01:19:21 Transition to Internal Affairs
01:19:57 Challenges in Internal Affairs
01:23:37 Patterns of Misconduct
01:28:44 The Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU)
01:30:32 Mexico Liaison Team
01:32:35 Building Relationships in Mexico
01:34:07 Operations and Challenges
01:38:43 High-Stakes Missions
01:52:33 A Contract on My Life
01:54:09 Setting the Perimeter
01:54:32 Clearing Up the Situation
01:54:36 Back to Normal
01:55:19 CIU Operations in Mexico
01:56:07 Collaboration with Mexican Authorities
01:57:08 High-Profile Arrests
01:58:07 Cross-Border Cooperation
02:01:10 Undercover Operations
02:05:29 Dealing with Corruption
02:08:13 Balancing Family and Law Enforcement
02:12:35 The Gray Line Podcast
02:16:48 Ash Wednesday and Boxing Podcasts
02:19:11 Writing and PTSD