🚨 "Sent There Alone" 🚨 | Episode 42: Trooper Beth Fingland | NYSP (Ret.) #police

In Episode 42 of My Journey with the Badge, we sit down with retired New York State Police Trooper Beth Fingland — a 21-year law enforcement veteran whose career placed her in some of the most demanding and emotionally difficult assignments imaginable, including service on the New York State Police Underwater Recovery Team. Beth began her career in March of 1989 with the New York State Police, serving in patrol before taking on additional responsibilities as a Fitness Coordinator and earning a coveted position on the agency’s elite SCUBA Team. Her work beneath the surface was not only physically demanding — it required emotional resilience, precision, and a commitment to bringing closure to families during their darkest moments. In this episode, Beth shares what drew her to law enforcement, her experiences as a female trooper in a demanding profession, and the challenges and rewards of underwater recovery operations — including her role in recovery efforts connected to TWA Flight 800. She also recounts intense patrol experiences, serving arrest warrants alone, and the mentorship and teamwork that defined her career. Beth’s story offers a rare look into the hidden side of law enforcement — the work few people ever see, but that plays a critical role in justice, recovery, and closure. Beth is also married to retired Rochester Police Inspector Tim Fingland, featured in Episode 41, making their combined stories a powerful look at two careers dedicated to service. This is Beth Fingland’s journey. ________________________________________ Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:22 Why Law Enforcement & Why NY State Police? 3:53 The NY State Police 5:09 Choosing B Troop 5:42 The Academy 7:21 Female Troopers 8:02 More about NYSP 9:34 Changing Troops 10:43 SCUBA Tryouts 12:54 First Day 14:50 Field Training 16:21 The Indian Uprising 17:02 Helping Others 21:38 Underwater Recovery Team – TWA 800 26:29 Serving an Arrest Warrant Alone 30:22 Searching for a Body 32:14 Locked Out of the Squad 33:58 Best Memories – SCUBA School 35:38 Mentor 36:30 Do You Still Dive? 37:34 The Biggest Changes to Law Enforcement 41:34 Any Regrets? 42:26 The Decision to Retire 43:45 Do You Miss the Job? 44:14 What Are You Doing Now? 44:57 Words of Advice ________________________________________ About My Journey with the Badge My Journey with the Badge preserves the stories of law enforcement officers... in their own words. These are the experiences, challenges, and moments that defined their careers… and their lives. Because when the uniform comes off, the story shouldn’t disappear. ________________________________________ Subscribe for more episodes: ►    / @myjourneywiththebadge   #police #policepodcast #myjourneywiththebadge #newyorkstatepolice