Episodes

In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates examines the recent verdict in the Elijah McClain incident and the far-reaching implications to all first responders. The Paramedic Profession and all first responders should take notice that there could be a steep penalty to pay if we do not address cowardice among our leadership ranks. We recommend reading: "The Elijah McCain Case: Convicting Paramedics For Following Training," by Graham Judd. Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders: Get The Book Get Weekly Ar...

This episode of Courageous Leadership with Travis Yates features Mike Brown with Security Training Concepts. Mike is a former police officer, and owner of Security Training Concepts out of Chicago, Illinois. Mike is the author of several award winning children's books that can be found here. Mike's motto is "no excuses...just solutions" and you will enjoy this fascinating discussion with Mike and the current state of law enforcement in America. Today’s episode is brought to you by Officer Pri...

DOJ Consent Decrees have been one of the most destructive actions against law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. While the federal government is Constitutionally prohibited from taking control of local law enforcement, most agencies simply agree to a consent decree without seeing any evidence that it is needed. As a DOJ Investigation comes to a conclusion in Phoenix, the city has taken a different approach. The City Council has asked to actually see the results of the investig...

In the days that followed May 25, 2020, major police organizations and thousands of law enforcement officials bought the narrative that that a white, black, and asian police officer murdered George Floyd in broad daylight. Based on a viral video alone and outrage across the globe, those same officials made official statements condemning the officers. After the release of Liz Collins' documentary, "The Fall of Minneapolis," those leaders have no excuses but their advocacy for officers in prison ...

Sheriff (ret.) Andy Hughes is a rare phenomenon in law enforcement leadership. His principled based approach to leadership combined with his unwavering faith in God has delivered him to four agencies over the last 30 years, leaving a trail of Courageous Leadership wherever he was. Sheriff Hughes is continuing his contribution to law enforcement with a phenomenal presentation called "Bear The Sword." This is an episode that will make every leader better and is a must listen. Join Our Tribe of ...

Dr. Travis Yates has spoken extensively about the need for law enforcement to actually recruit and those that are taking advantage of the recruitment crisis in the profession. After a recent Courageous Leadership Seminar, Travis was told by a recruiter that they spent $150,000 with a recruiting company and had no results. That real life example is unacceptable and has a lot to do with leaders making decisions on issues with the "shiny object" in mind rather than what actually works. This epis...

The world changed in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd but what if all of it was a lie? What if instead of this being a police officer problem, it was a leadership problem? The only journalist to investigate the facts of the case was Minnesota Native Liz Collin. Collin has been a truth-teller for over 20 years and is a multi-Emmy-Award-winning reporter and anchor. She is a former reporter and anchor for a major Minneapolis news station and currently works for Alpha News. She is the be...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates expands on the recent Department of Justice recommendations on law enforcement recruiting and how it is designed to further destroy the foundation of policing. This is an episode that every law enforcement professional needs to hear. Links From The Episode: DOJ Report On Recruiting SAFEGUARD Recruiting Consent Decree Database of Destruction Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders: Get The Book Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates Join Us At Our Website Get Our 'Cou...

There may be nothing more weak than law enforcement leaders and organizations sitting back and not discussing the damage that Federal Intervention in local law enforcement is causing the profession and the communities that are served. In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates discusses the three decade history of what consent decrees have done to communities and what will occur in Phoenix if they permit this destructive reach by the Department of Justice. Here are some articles referenced in the podca...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates discusses the issue of females within the law enforcement profession and the role of leaders to ensure that they are treated fairly in a profession dominated by men. 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

Law Enforcement continues to be plagued by poor and ineffective leadership. In today's episode, Dr. Travis Yates explores why this is happening and what each law enforcement professional can do today to reverse this troubling trend. For further information on how and why some choose to follow "The Playbook" rather than lead, you can read Travis' article on the subject here. Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders: Get The Book Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates Join Us At Our Website Get Our 'Co...

There is nothing new when it comes to leadership and over 200 years ago, a philosophy was set that can give tremendous benefit to law enforcement today. Today's episode features Sergeant Steve Sweeting who has applied the ancient philosophy of stoicism to modern day policing. Dr. Travis Yates speaks with Steve on how the virtues of stoicism can be applied to the law enforcement profession and leaders. Sergeant Sweeting is the founder of Street Stoic and has written an incredible book, "Street ...

There is no greater example of the damage that cowardly leaders can do to a country, community, and the lives of law enforcement then what the Louisville Police Department did to Sergeant John Mattingly (ret.) in the aftermath of the Breonna Taylor death. Every aspect of what the public was told about this case was a lie and Sergeant John Mattingly went from fighting for his life after being shot in the line of duty to fighting for the safety of his family when the lies being told were never co...

There is a high price to be paid for Courageous Leadership. Dr. Travis Yates is joined in this week's episode with Supervisory Deputy United States Marshal (ret.) Bobby Ledogar. In 2015, Bobby was stationed in the warrant task force on Long Island. He had appointed Dawn Mahoney, the sole female, to the task force previously and launched an investigation after Mahoney alleged that she was being harassed by other members of the unit. As the leader responsible for the unit, Ledogar requested an i...

Dr. Travis Yates continues the discussion of law enforcement leadership making decisions based on emotions and feelings rather than actual facts. There may not be a better example than law enforcement organizations and police leadership banning the vascular neck restraints or moving this proven safe and effective technique to deadly force. In this episode, Travis speaks to retired law enforcement officer Joe Mech. Joe was a law enforcement officer for 29 years and was a certified trainer in the...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates speaks to former gang member Tommy Maynard who credits a series of encounters with law enforcement leaders for a life that he never thought he would have. Tommy went from a life of crime to helping others as a forensic expert with a specialty in mental illness. This is an episode that you can't miss. Tommy speaks about his mentor, Los Angeles County Commander Charles "Sid" Heal and the numerous other law enforcement professionals that helped him turn his life a...

If you have just found us or observed our principles, you may be wondering what exactly is Courageous Police Leadership and why are we promoting it. In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates discusses the early days of the seminar, the book, and what is coming to the program and philosophy of Courageous Police Leadership. You can find out more about Courageous Police Leadership and join other like minded leaders at the Courageous Police Leadership Alliance - www.cplalliance.org. Join Our Tribe of Cour...

"If you make a job impossible, good luck finding anyone willing to fo the job." Dr. Travis Yates - Courageous Police Leadership Alliance - www.cplalliance.org Law enforcement leaders continue to let the enemies of order and public safety place restrictions and expectations on the law enforcement profession that are impossible. The recent criminal charges against seven California Highway Patrol Officers is sadly one example of many where law enforcement is being held to a standard that they coul...

It is Easter Weekend and this edition of the Courageous Police Leadership Podcast discusses the dangers that apathetic leadership has caused in the law enforcement profession. Travis portrays the decision by Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Rome from 26 to 37 AD., and his attempt to avoid the blame in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and how leaders today continue laying the blame on others while using apathy as an excuse. Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders: Get The Book Get Weekly Articles by...

There may not be a better example of Courageous Police Leadership than Minneapolis Lt. (ret.) Bob Kroll. Over three decades, Lt. Kroll policed, supervised, and managed within the Minneapolis Police Department and spent his last six years as the President of their Police Union. In the midst of failed leadership, Lt. Kroll maintained the principles of Courageous Police Leadership through his integrity, communication, and his anticipation of what needed to be addressed within the city and police d...

One of the most dangerous aspects of leadership is not being self aware. It is vital for any leader to ensure that they have built an environment that forces them to be self aware of how their decisions are impacting those around them. Travis Yates discusses what a "self-aware" leader is and how leaders can accomplish this important trait. 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 ...

In this episode, Travis Yates breaks down his recent seminar in Arizona and questions why agencies and leadership philosophies segregate ranks. The "Us versus Them" model of leadership training is not working in the law enforcement profession and it is time that it all changes. This is a must listen episode that just may change everything you thought you knew about law enforcement leadership. Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders: Get The Book Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates Join Us At Our ...

Following the tragedy at a Nashville Private School, the responding Nashville Police Officers are getting praise for their action. Indeed, their actions that stopped evil that day, were indeed heroic but as Travis Yates discusses, that is not unique to the law enforcement profession. Multiple leaders utilized an important Courageous Police Leadership Principle in the years leading up to that tragic event and that is the focus of this episode. Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders: Get The Book ...

In this episode, Travis Yates discusses the issue of what higher education can do for law enforcement. Various studies indicate that a college educated police officer is preferred but should that really be the metric to a professional police officer? Travis will also discuss his recent journey going back to school along with some of the options that law enforcement professionals have if they are considering the same. Travis just returned from a week of training law enforcement leaders so his v...