Episodes

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...

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 ...

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 ...

Vascular Neck Restraints (VNR's) have not caused an in-custody death or serious injury in the past 50 years. Yet, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) considers it to be deadly force. Despite this contradiction of facts, the DOJ has recently used this IACP recommendation as part of the consent decree with the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department, which hasn't helped with any positive outcomes. This is just one example that shows how police chiefs across the country may ...

Consent Decrees, imposed by the Department of Justice, have been ruining police agencies and communities for 30 years but leaders continue to voluntarily enter them without seemingly understanding the immediate danger they pose to the future of their agency and the community. Just this week, the DOJ announced a Consent Decree in Louisville along with an investigation in Memphis. Both of these high crime cities will soon be destroyed beyond disaster. In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates speaks to ...

In this episode of the Courageous Leadership Podcast, Travis speaks to Chief Scott Hughes about the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and whether law enforcement leaders should trust professional organizations completely to steer their agencies. Chief Hughes recently asked the IACP President a question on social media and was blocked from further communication. Chief Hughes is a member of IACP and gives a balanced approach to how law enforcement leaders should use professiona...