139. Nicole Florisi: Unwavering Dedication in the Mission to Bring Justice to Victims and Survivors

Hi! I'm glad you're here!...this is some powerful information. When you listen to this episode, consider this: Nicole is more than just a business colleague and mutual advocate for bringing justice to victims and survivors of interpersonal violence; she is a good friend, confidant, and someone whose integrity and unwavering dedication inspire everyone around her to do better and be better, both professionally and personally. I want to tell you a little bit more about Nicole than I have in past episode notes, because who she is, and what she has accomplished, is important for you to know in understanding why I consider Nicole such an important asset to this show. Nicole Florisi is a dedicated law enforcement professional from Jerome, Arizona, with a career that spans over two decades. Her commitment to justice, education, and community well-being is truly inspiring, and it's the kind of dedication I strive for both personally and professionally. However, Nicole has taken it even further with her impressive and multifaceted expertise, which uniquely places her at the intersection of policing, mental health, and survivor advocacy—areas where her impact is felt deeply. You'll hear the dedication and passion in her voice as the interview goes on. Nicole's journey began in the Verde Valley region of Arizona, where she served as a police officer and later as a sergeant. She maintains her law enforcement certification and continues to serve with Jerome PD as a reserve officer. Beyond her law enforcement roles, Nicole's vision for supporting survivors led her to become the executive director of a women's shelter, where she applied her skills to advocate for and empower those affected by interpersonal violence. In a previous employment position with Virtra, Nicole authored 15 hours of curriculum for VirTra's V-VICTA® program, focusing on topics like mental illness, trauma, and crisis communication. Transitioning from frontline policing to specialized training, Nicole became a law enforcement subject matter expert and instructor with Force Science, an organization renowned for its research and training in human behavior and use-of-force science. Her work emphasizes the importance of brain fitness and resilience for first responders, integrating psychological principles into practical training to enhance decision-making and reduce harm. Impressive? Absolutely! And this is how Force Science describes Nicole: Nicole has extensive experience as an educator, police officer, and therapist. She provides front-line instruction in de-escalation, crisis communications, and force encounters investigations. With over 25 years of experience, she has held positions including communications specialist, patrol officer, patrol sergeant, investigator, and acting chief. She has held previous roles as a Law Enforcement Subject Matter Expert at VirTra and as the Executive Director for the Verde Valley Sanctuary; a shelter dedicated to providing services for victims of sex trafficking, sexual violence, and domestic violence. Nicole is currently working on her doctorate in clinical psychology. She holds two post-master's degrees; one in Human Factors Psychology and one in Trauma Counseling; an M.S. in Professional Counseling; and a B.S. in Public Safety Administration and Emergency Management. (Cite: https://www.forcescience.com/instructor/nicole-florisi/ ; 27 May 2025) Her academic pursuits complement her professional experience, allowing her to contribute to the development of evidence-based training programs that address the complexities of modern law enforcement encounters. Nicole's approach is grounded in scientific research, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice in policing. Nicole's commitment extends beyond training and education; she actively engages in initiatives that promote mental health and wellness within the law enforcement community. Her work includes teaching de-escalation techniques, crisis communication, and conducting critical incident debriefings that support officers' mental health and resilience. By fostering a culture of wellness, Nicole advocates for a paradigm shift in how law enforcement agencies approach officer well-being and community interactions. I hope this biographical information provides insight into why I regard Nicole as not only a top-tier professional and expert contributor to everything SASS represents, but also why I hold her in the highest regard both professionally and personally as a valued friend. Thank you, Nicole for guesting this week on SASS…you are truly appreciated! An important side note: if you're finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, please send me a note of support. I can't tell you how much your emails mean to me—they fuel my passion to keep this podcast going. Here's my email address: dave@sasstories.com I truly look forward to hearing from you! On another note: I am a strong advocate and supporter of Survivor School (SS), founded and directed by CEO Arci Grey (another former guest on SASS). In fact, Arci has made me a consultant to SS as she maneuvers the intricacies of directing and managing the content and growth of her amazing organization. I encourage you to strongly consider becoming a member of SS, and as an affiliate would appreciate it, if you do decide to become a member, to use this link: https://www.survivor-school.com/free?ref=SASS Thanks again for listening! As always, listed below are some additional important and meaningful websites I hope you'll take a look at, and learn more about. https://risenow.us/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/16/nyregion/trump-nypd-rape-kit.html https://www.whattheydontsay.com https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL www.arcigrey.com https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org https://www.napanews.org/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invisible-no-more-lady-veterans-stories-of-military/id1754061590 https://startbybelieving.org https://evawintl.org/ https://safeinharmsway.org My email address: dave@sasstories.com Thank you for joining us for this important conversation. Remember, believing and supporting survivors is a crucial step in bringing justice and healing.