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Leadership gets real when the stakes are high and the cameras roll. We sit down with retired deputy chief and author John Blackledge to unpack what it takes to build courageous, effective leaders in policing and beyond—leaders who make the right call even when it costs them. John’s path spans patrol, undercover narcotics, internal affairs, academy instruction, and senior command, and he’s now paired those decades of experience with private sector leadership to create a practical, no-fluff manual for supervisors at every level.

We dig into the foundation: know yourself, then lead with influence rather than relying on rank. John shares how authenticity beats performance, why “correct decisions will not make you popular,” and what separates real courage from performative toughness.

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Legacy is a common theme in leadership, but it's rarely seen. In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates explores the legacy of LAPD Captain Rudy De Leon through the lived experience of his granddaughter, Brandi Stansbury-Moody.

For more information on Captain De Leon, read our article here.

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We share a candid reminder that gratitude is not fluff, it’s a force that makes leadership steadier. By reframing complaints through global perspective and practical habits, we show how leaders gain clarity, courage, and momentum.

• the pull of negativity and how it distorts judgment
• the what if lens: life happening for you
• global context of odds and freedoms
• law enforcement examples that sharpen perspective
• practical gratitude habits for teams and leaders
• how gratitude makes tough problems simpler
• humility, stewardship, and clearer communication

“Join other courageous leaders at TravisYates.org.”

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We explore how AI can strengthen or weaken policing, why prompts and ethics matter, and where automation crosses the line from helpful to harmful. We share practical steps leaders can use today and warn against replacing human judgment with black boxes.

• three tiers of AI use: convenience, automation, agents
• ethical prompting, master prompts and sourcing
• automation that accelerates contact, not replaces it
• dangers of AI-written reports and lost investigative detail
• bad data, weaker crime analysis and planning blind spots
• tech stacks that don’t reduce crime
• culture, initiative and the 2020 training gap
• practical on-ramps for leaders and teams

Reach out to Roland Clee at www.commandstaffconsulting.com and book his "Ethical AI Leadership Labs."

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We unpack why policing doesn’t have a talent shortage as much as a process problem and show how a recruiting-first strategy beats marketing spend. Doug Larsen of SAFEGUARD Recruiting shares sourcing tactics, mobile-first communication strategies, and real-world results from major agencies.

• recruiting-first strategy vs marketing-led tactics
• decline of career fairs and organic interest
• how to measure return on hiring spend
• why videos and clicks don’t equal applicants
• sourcing candidates 24/7 and geofencing needs
• partnering with recruiters, not replacing them
• mobile-first messaging and nurture automation
• process fixes to reduce candidate drop-off
• case study on Philadelphia’s pipeline growth
• guarantees, dashboards, and weekly ROI tracking
• expanded services for testing, backgrounds, retention
• immediate tips: communicate faster and simplify steps

Join other courageous leaders at TravisYates.org

REach out to Doug Larsen: safeguardrecruiting.com

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A quiet surge in officer assaults is happening right under our noses, and most leaders aren’t talking about it. We dig into the policies, the pressure, and the missed accountability that turned a wave of “reform” into a spike in risk—even as violent crime trends downward from its 2020 peak.

Data matters more than slogans, so we walk through the numbers where mandated strict “last resort” policies saw significant increases in officer assault rates. Nationally, assaults hit record highs while many agencies doubled down on de-escalation training that still lacks rigorous scientific validation.

If you care about officer safety, real accountability, and reforms that actually improve outcomes, this is your moment to lean in.

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We speak with 26-year law enforcement veteran Jeff Moorefield about building a real off-ramp for first responders and why transition planning must start on day one. We dig into identity, health, finances, and practical steps that translate police skills into private sector roles.

• founding purpose of The On Call Project and Beyond the Badge
• why identity, purpose and fear block healthy transitions
• holistic prep: fitness, sleep, mental health, and money
• practical tools: ATS resumes, mock HR interviews, skill translation
• leadership gaps in retention, culture and personal development
• one-on-ones as a simple, effective leadership practice
• building chapters, employer partnerships, and national reach
• stories that show the path from badge to next career

oncallproject.com | j.morefield@oncallproject.com | jeffmorefield.com

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We have a political supremacist problem in America where certain ideologies believe their viewpoint is so morally correct that violence becomes an acceptable response to their opponents.

• A Rutgers University study found over 50% of left-of-center respondents believed the assassination of political figures was justified
• The FBI Assailant Study revealed 28% of cop killers acted for "social and political reasons"
• Law enforcement needs federal support, resources, and intelligence to address this domestic terrorism threat
• We cannot expect this situation to improve without acknowledging and confronting the reality of domestic terrorism
• Speaking truth professionally and boldly is essential even in the face of intimidation

Visit the Courageous Police Leader at travisyates.org or subscribe to the weekly articles at courageouspoliceleader.com for more insights and leadership guidance.

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