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Episode 354 - Sebastien Lavoie

Sgt Maj Sebastien Lavoie is a commanding officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, use of force expert and elite tactical athlete. We discuss his journey into policing, martial arts in law enforcement, the importance of physical training, deescalation, realism in training, hiring practices, psychology and so much more.

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Sergeant Major Sebastien Lavoie joined the RCMP in 2000. After completing training, he was posted to Tofino Detachment on Vancouver Island, where he became engaged in community and indigenous policing. Displaying a keen interest in Use of Force training; he quickly became the local Use of Force Subject Matter Expert conducting all mandatory training and organizing extra training for the West Coast's members.

Volunteering for the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program (CACPP) following the attacks of 9/11, he reported to the Vancouver CACPP office where he would travel the world, assist in developing International Deployment Procedures, and eventually be appointed as the acting training NCO. In 2007, Sergeant Major Lavoie joined the full time Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team (ERT) where he specialized as a "Breacher". He was promoted to Corporal in 2012 and had the privilege to lead his team through Lower Mainland ERT's heavy operational tempo.

In 2017, he was appointed as the Team Leader for Blue Team where he trained, developed, enabled, supported, and lead a team of 22 operators through the team's daily activities. He would spend the last two years of his term as a Tactical Liaison Officer. Sergeant Major Lavoie focused on fostering and maintaining a positive work environment prioritizing member wellness, leadership, operational readiness, and succession planning. Sergeant Major Lavoie was appointed as the E Division Sergeant Major on February 13, 2019. His primary function is to advise the Commanding Officer and to be a conduit between all of E Division's employees and the Commanding Officer.

Sebastien’s Instagram: @slavccmdr

Recommended Books:

On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace - Dave Grossman

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win - Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Iliad - Homer

Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown - Eric Blehm

Recommended Movies:

Gladiator

Act of Valor

Black Hawk Down