Conversations with Rich Bennett Newsletter

​Revolutionizing Policing Through Humanity with Joe Smarro​

Published on August 11, 2025

Marine Corps combat veteran and former police officer Joe Smarro shares his powerful journey from the battlefield to the forefront of mental health advocacy. Known for his role in the Emmy Award–winning documentary Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops, Joe opens up about childhood trauma, military service, and the personal struggles that fueled his mission to change how public safety handles mental health crises. This conversation offers hard-earned lessons on leadership, compassion, and creating lasting change in communities nationwide. 

Sponsored by Eco-Cool HVAC 

Guest Bio:  

Joe Smarro is a Marine Corps combat veteran, former San Antonio Police Department officer, and nationally recognized mental health advocate. Featured in HBO’s Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops and a TEDx speaker, Joe co-founded SolutionPoint+ to train public safety agencies, schools, and organizations in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and wellness strategies. He is the author of Unarmed, a guide blending his life experiences with actionable communication and de-escalation skills, and is dedicated to reshaping the culture of policing through empathy and human connection. 

Main Topics: 

·         Joe’s childhood trauma and its long-term impact

·         Military service before and after 9/11

·         Transition challenges from military to civilian life

·         Policing realities vs. public perception

·         Co-founding and serving in a police mental health unit

·         The creation and mission of SolutionPoint+

·         The making and impact of Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops

·         Mental health, addiction, and personal recovery journey

·         Leadership failures and their role in first responder suicides

·         Key lessons from Joe’s book Unarmed

·         Freedom, personal autonomy, and living intentionally 

Resources mentioned: 

·         Joe’s Website: https://solutionpointplus.com/ & https://joesmarro.com/

·         Episode Sponsor:

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