Online child exploitation is evolving faster than ever, and the threats facing kids today look very different than they did just a few years ago. In this episode, I sit down with Alan Schlitz, a Computer Crimes Agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, to pull back the curtain on how investigators are combating these crimes every day.

Alan shares practical insights into how offenders use social media, gaming platforms, encrypted apps, and even AI to target children. We also discuss emerging extremist online groups, the warning signs parents, educators, and law enforcement should recognize, and the importance of collaboration when protecting vulnerable victims. If you have children, work in public safety, or simply want to better understand today's digital threats, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Episode Highlights

[1:07] – Introducing Alan Schlitz and the mission behind the ICAC Task Force.

[2:21] – What the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force does and how agencies work together.

[3:35] – How cyber tips are investigated and where computer forensics fits into the process.

[4:23] – The growing role of artificial intelligence in online exploitation investigations.

[6:45] – Why child exploitation investigations matter and how technology has changed the landscape.

[10:01] – Breaking down the online group known as "764" and the rise of digitally connected extremist communities.

[15:19] – How predators create convincing fake online identities to manipulate children.

[20:01] – Grooming tactics, gaming platforms, chat rooms, and why young people often feel safe sharing online.

[25:23] – The connection between nihilistic violent extremist groups, online manipulation, and child exploitation.

[30:30] – Using technology and investigative tools to identify offenders and protect victims.

[35:19] – Warning signs of self-harm and behavioral changes that parents and professionals should recognize.

[40:18] – Victim response, advocacy, and the partnerships needed to support children after disclosure.

[50:11] – Cloud storage, digital evidence, and challenges investigators face.

[55:04] – Practical advice for parents, schools, and community members when a child discloses online exploitation.

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Listener Advisory

This episode includes discussions of real-world violence, criminal activity, and emotionally intense subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.

In Part 2 of my conversation with retired Fayetteville Police Department tactical commander Daryl Smith, we move beyond the action and into the realities that come after the gunfights, high-risk operations, and years spent working in some of the most dangerous environments imaginable. Daryl shares powerful firsthand accounts of officer-involved shootings, the life-saving role of training under stress, and the split-second decisions that define survival in critical incidents.

We also have an honest conversation about the unseen toll of law enforcement and combat service. Daryl opens up about PTSD, personal loss, faith, mental health, and the importance of seeking help when the weight of the job becomes too much to carry alone. From SWAT operations and overseas contracting in Iraq to lessons for the next generation of officers, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom, resilience, and perspective that every first responder—and every listener—can learn from.

Episode Highlights

[00:27] - Daryl recounts his first officer-involved shooting and the dangers officers face during domestic violence calls.

[01:55] - A high-risk warrant service turns into a life-or-death encounter, highlighting how critical training becomes under pressure.

[06:00] - The aftermath of an officer-involved shooting and how support for officers has evolved over the years.

[08:20] - Daryl discusses PTSD, the cumulative effects of trauma, and why officers must be willing to ask for help.

[13:45] - The support systems, mentors, and personal faith that helped Daryl navigate some of the darkest periods of his life.

[22:20] - How Daryl transitioned from law enforcement into overseas contracting and tactical operations in Iraq.

[32:15] - Daryl shares the story of his son Jonathan, the impact of military service, and a powerful message about mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

[45:20] - Advice for new police officers entering the profession, including training, communication skills, and preparing for the realities of the job.

[50:25] - A final discussion on PTSD, resilience, and why seeking help is a sign of strength—not weakness.

Have a question or topic you’d like explored on the show? Know someone whose story belongs Behind the Thin Blue Line?

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Listener Advisory

This episode includes discussions of real-world violence, criminal activity, and emotionally intense subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.

Daryl Smith's law enforcement career took him from patrol officer to K9 handler, SWAT operator, dive team member, and tactical leader. Having worked some of Fayetteville's toughest streets during the height of the city's open-air drug markets, Daryl shares the experiences, challenges, and lessons that shaped his decades of service. From buying drugs out of unmarked cars to serving high-risk warrants and helping build the foundation of modern tactical operations, Daryl offers a firsthand look at a side of policing most people never see.

We talk about the mindset required to succeed in high-risk assignments, the evolution of SWAT tactics, the importance of training, memorable operations, career-threatening injuries, and how technology has changed modern law enforcement. Along the way, Daryl reflects on the officers, mentors, and experiences that helped shape his career while offering valuable insight for the next generation of police officers.

Episode Highlights

[0:30] - Daryl's path from New York to North Carolina and the family influence that led him into law enforcement

[3:17] - Starting a career in patrol and earning a position on Fayetteville's highly respected K9 unit

[4:09] - A training accident with a police dog leads to a serious neck injury and surgery

[5:56] - Chasing a childhood dream of becoming a SWAT operator and the challenges of earning a spot on the team

[7:18] - Why great officers train on their own time and continuously work to improve their skills

[9:10] - The role technology plays in modern policing compared to earlier generations of officers

[11:20] - Working Fayetteville's open-air drug markets and the aggressive proactive policing strategies of the 1990s

[12:56] - Undercover buy-bust operations and how eager drug dealers often made arrests easy

[16:37] - The mindset shifts required when moving from patrol to K9 and eventually tactical operations

[18:00] - Learning how to communicate on the street, manage fear, and avoid complacency during daily police work

[19:25] - Close calls involving K9 deployments and the realities of dangerous field operations

[23:48] - Transitioning into SWAT and preparing for the possibility of gunfire during every high-risk entry

[24:03] - Recounting tactical operations where officers came under fire and split-second decisions mattered

[27:05] - Building Fayetteville's tactical capabilities with limited budgets, surplus equipment, and creative solutions

[28:24] - Developing instructors, improving training programs, and helping establish a stronger tactical foundation

[31:20] - Memorable barricaded suspect incidents and lessons learned from command and control challenges

[34:08] - The early days of flashbangs, explosive breaching, and convincing leadership to embrace new tactics

[36:00] - Watching today's tactical teams operate and reflecting on how far the profession has evolved

[38:10] - How modern SWAT operations rely on drones, robots, intelligence gathering, and call-out procedures

[40:33] - The growing importance of pre-raid planning, intelligence analysis, and tactical action plans

[43:45] - Why documenting floor plans and operational intelligence became critical for repeat locations

[44:13] - The harsh realities officers encountered inside drug houses and neglected living conditions

[46:41] - A ride-along experience that helped launch Daryl's law enforcement career

[49:00] - Surviving multiple vehicle-related incidents that nearly ended his life

[51:16] - The injuries, surgeries, and physical toll that ultimately brought his law enforcement career to a close

[53:07] - Final reflections on officer safety, preparation, and the unpredictable nature of police work

Have a question or topic you’d like explored on the show? Know someone whose story belongs Behind the Thin Blue Line?

Share this episode with someone interested in real-world law enforcement stories

Contact us: mbridgeman@behindthethinblueline.org

Listener Advisory

This episode includes discussions of real-world violence, criminal activity, and emotionally intense subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.