#77 - Plano Grace: Protecting a Community Through Crisis

This episode is dedicated to Zackery Mehlman, July 19, 2004 to March 22, 2021, and the more than 350,000 lives lost to the opioid crisis. May their memories strengthen our commitment to preventing further loss.

This episode includes discussions of mental health, substance abuse, fentanyl, overdose deaths, and family trauma.

Listener discretion is advised.

A community crisis cannot be solved by one department, one program, or one enforcement strategy.

Aubrey D. Paul, also known as A.D. Paul, joins James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese to discuss the experiences behind his memoir, Plano Grace. Aubrey is a retired Plano police sergeant and longtime crisis intervention leader whose career placed him at the center of Plano’s response to heroin addiction and overdose deaths during the 1990s.

Aubrey shares how law enforcement, city leadership, schools, hospitals, churches, treatment providers, and other community partners came together during the crisis. He also explains why transparency, collaboration, and treating every person with dignity remain essential when communities confront addiction, mental illness, and other complex challenges.

The conversation explores the continued fight against fentanyl, the development of crisis intervention programs, the importance of Narcan access, and the role municipal leaders play in supporting long-term solutions. Aubrey also discusses the personal loss, family struggles, redemption, and faith that shaped his life and inspired him to write Plano Grace.

📘 Purchase Plano Grace on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TVWzPs

00:00 Dignity and Respect in Law Enforcement 00:16 Introduction and Content Advisory 02:28 Aubrey D. Paul’s Journey into Law Enforcement 05:07 Leadership and the Growth of Plano 08:13 The Story Behind Plano Grace 14:02 How Plano Responded to a Community Crisis 18:17 Addiction Then and Now 23:30 Communication, Transparency, and the Media 26:29 Encouragement for Frustrated Officers 31:02 Helping a Loved One Facing Addiction 34:35 The Development of Crisis Intervention Teams 39:03 Community Partnerships and Jail Diversion 42:06 Investing in Long-Term Solutions 44:24 Narcan and Overdose Prevention 46:08 Aubrey’s Final Message and Faith Journey 48:53 Continuing to Serve with Purpose 49:43 Closing and Resources

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Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership.

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