Detective Dave Sweet, author of “Skeletons in My Closet”, joins Dr. Laura once more to talk about choosing positivity over cynicism when faced with the world’s troubles. Dave details his work with charitable organizations that seek to put silver linings in tragedy.
Dr. Laura revisits the tragedy surrounding her nieces that first drew her and Dave together, and they share a story about connectedness, some might call an affirmation, involving a painting. The messages that Dave shares through his charity work and book are about awareness and empowerment. As a homicide detective, he sees some of the worst tragedies that can befall people, but he chooses positivity and actions that make a difference.
“I wanted to be part of an organization that was supporting and empowering women not to go back to their abuser. Gems [for Gems] spoke to me on that level. I was introduced to the organization through a family that I had already been supporting who had lost a daughter to intimate partner violence. And once I started to learn more about intimate partner violence, I really came to learn that 85% of the time the abuser is a man. And so if men are going to be the biggest part of the problem, then we have to also be part of the solution. I mean, it just makes sense.” - Dave Sweet
About Detective Dave Sweet:
With over 24 years of policing experience, Detective Dave Sweet has been involved in some of Canada’s most infamous and famous cases. Dave has worked as a patrol officer, an undercover police officer, and led several task forces targeting gangs and organized crime. In 2009 Dave joined the ranks of the homicide unit where he has spent the past 14 years specializing in the areas of homicide, missing person and suspicious death investigations. Several of Dave’s most known cases have been featured in documentaries and podcasts including the CBC’s The Detectives, Corus Entertainment’s Crime Beat and Investigative Discoveries Murder Board.
In 2018 Mischievous Books published Dave’s first book, Skeletons in My Closet - Life Lessons from a Homicide Detective which was written in collaboration with his talented co-author Sarah Graham. Dave is currently writing his second book with acclaimed author Susan Forest due to release in the Spring of 2023. In addition to a Distinguished Service Award in 2010, Dave earned the Chiefs Award for Investigative Excellence in 2017, the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal in 2021 and the Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022.
Dave lives by the mantra “love people” and believes his inner strength and mindfulness are rooted from that perspective.
Resources:
Dave Sweet LinkedIn
“Skeletons in My Closet: Life lessons from a homicide detective” by Dave Sweet and Sarah Graham
Gems for Gems
Hope’s Cradle
Wood’s Homes
Learn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.live
For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations:
Canada Career Counselling
Calgary Career Counselling
Synthesis Psychology
