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We explore why culture beats cash, how leader–member exchange strengthens trust, and why sergeants are the keystone of retention. Dr. Marshall Jones makes the case for borrowing proven business models, fixing communication beyond email, and putting guardrails on AI so cases stand up in court.

• education versus training and why the difference matters
• applying business and I‑O psychology models to policing
• toxic behavior definitions and positive accountability
• building a leadership pipeline from FTO to sergeant
• leader–member exchange as the daily discipline
• communication beyond email with face‑to‑face touchpoints
• recruiting less by retaining more through culture
• research bias, better data, and practitioner context
• AI report risks, court scrutiny, and policy safeguards

Dr. Jones is the co-author of the best-selling book, "Law Enforcement Leadership, Management, and Supervision." It's a must-read, and you can purchase it here.

Join other courageous leaders at TravisYates.org

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Officers in Minneapolis describe empty rosters, mixed messages, and orders that put optics over safety. We speak with Jesse Watts of The Wounded Blue about confidential peer support, staffing collapse, and what courageous leadership should look like in high-risk moments.

• why The Wounded Blue deployed a mobile peer command center to Minneapolis
• how staffing fell from an 888 allotment to just over 300 usable on the street
• where leadership orders conflict with policy and officer safety
• why internal peer teams lack trust and how independent support helps
• what a seven-officer roll call means for safety and response
• contrast with Las Vegas where decisive leadership restored order quickly
• warning signs of weak leadership and steps officers can take
• how to access confidential support and donate to sustain services

Reach out to The Wounded Blue 24/7. Officers can reach out to TWB at their text line at 877-810-0911. If you text the word BLUE to 877-810-0911, you can reach them confidentially and immediately.

The Warrior Talk Line is 833-TWB-TALK (833-892-8255).

Donate at thewoundedblue.org.

Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders:

Get The Book
Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates
Join Us At Our Website
Get Our 'Courageous Leadership' Training
Join The Courageous Police Leadership Alliance

Send us a text

Lt. Randy Sutton and Dr. Travis Yates challenge the myths driving modern policing, from failed recruiting tactics to political mandates that increase officer injuries, and lay out practical, data-led ways to keep officers and communities safer. Dr. Travis Yates shares research, real numbers, and steps leaders can take now.

• why marketing fails and targeted recruiting works
• cost-per-hire math and fixing vacancies with data
• retention linked to leadership support and culture
• rising assaults since 2020 and what precedes violence
• de-escalation mandates vs evidence and injury spikes
• pre-attack indicators and responding to noncompliance
• politics, optics, and training trade-offs
• chiefs vs sheriffs and accountability to the public
• practical steps officers can take for safety and training
• where to find Travis’ research and future courses

This podcast is sponsored by The Wounded Blue - thewoundedblue.org - A nationwide charity helping more than 16,000 American law enforcement officers injured either physically or emotionally and psychologically. If you’re a law enforcement officer, don’t walk this journey alone.

Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders:

Get The Book
Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates
Join Us At Our Website
Get Our 'Courageous Leadership' Training
Join The Courageous Police Leadership Alliance