The Best of Coast to Coast AM Police - Best of Coast to Coast AM - 2/13/26
Feb 14, 2026
Kameryn Rein Schwarz, a former Chicago police officer who faced repeated traumatic scenes, talks about her law enforcement career and the emotional toll it took. She recounts witnessing multiple homicides and how policy changes and lack of support affected officers. The conversation covers suicidal ideation, stigma around seeking help, and efforts to help others in similar struggles.
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Rapid Descent Into Trauma
- Kameryn Rein Schwarz describes rapid exposure to traumatic deaths after joining the Chicago Police Department.
- She recounts losing five friends in three years and witnessing her partner die by suicide in a squad car.
Prevented From Providing Aid
- Kameryn recounts a 16-year-old choking on his own blood after she was told not to assist.
- She watched him take his last breath while restrained from acting because of department rules.
Policy Shifts Changed Street Policing
- Policy changes after high-profile incidents drastically altered policing and paperwork overnight.
- Kameryn links those shifts to a spike in shootings and homicides across Chicago in 2016.