Leaps of Faith: Leading Through Change and Building from the Ground Up

What does it take to leave a department you’ve spent more than two decades in and start over somewhere new?

In this episode of 4-Star Conversations, Chief Jim Munro shares what it was like to spend 24 years with the Clovis Police Department before making one of the hardest — and best — decisions of his career: moving to Grover Beach to take on a new challenge. Starting as a Commander and later becoming Chief, Jim reflects on the leap of faith that reshaped his leadership perspective.

We talk about leading a young department, mentoring the next generation, and why great leadership isn’t about the size of the agency — it’s about investing in your people. Jim also shares his thoughts on recruitment, wellness, technology, and the unique challenges of leading in a small department.

This is a conversation about courage, adaptability, and what happens when you’re willing to start fresh — even after decades in the profession.