Ep. 98 : Enduring and Serving with Resilience, w/ Detective Tessa Melville

Blue Grit Radio : the better cops and community podcast

A critical theme in discussion of first responder wellness is resilience. When I look around at folks I work with in my department, it’s hard to find a better example of someone who embodies a resilient spirit than my teammate, Tessa Melville.

Tessa endured a host of critical incidents in the first few years of her policing career, both on and off duty. She was there when we lost Diego, helped care for one of our critically wounded officers, and on a different shift, walked away from an arguably near-fatal collision herself.

Tessa is a proud mother of a ten year old, and worked six years as a patrol officer, which included her role as an FTO, before promoting to the detective unit where she now works Special Assault cases. Prior to LE, Tessa spent five years in the Navy as a Greenside Hospital Corpsman where she received specialized training in traumatic field care.

We talk about her police career and dynamics with finding success as a female in the male-dominated field. Tessa opens up about going through many traumatic events, to include being the victim of sexual assault herself. She proudly praises therapy, EMDR, and spirituality as means to address her struggles with depression and anxiety and continue forward as an example of service to others with GRIT.
Don’t forget to like, SHARE and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and more! This is the best way you can support this podcast, our message and support in the topics we discuss!
Please help us grow the positive conversations and community by liking, reviewing, and giving us a solid rating to help others find the show. Be well and stay gritty!
You can follow along with the most updated content on IG: @bluegritwellness ! Leave a comment, ask your questions at IG or email me at [e-mail] !
We are always talking about police and first responder wellness, how to be a cop, self development, career development, organizational culture and development and so much more! This isn't just to uplift the policing community and profession, but THE Community. Let's do it one conversation at a time!
music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic