Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D.

Passion for the Job

Joel Shults operates Street Smart Training and is the founder of the National Center for Police Advocacy. He retired as Chief of Police in Colorado. Over his 30-year career in uniformed law enforcement and criminal justice education, Joel served in a variety of roles: academy instructor, police chaplain, deputy coroner, investigator, community relations officer, college professor and police chief, among others. Shults earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri, with a graduate degree in Public Services Administration and bachelors in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Central Missouri. In addition to service with the U.S. Army military police and CID, Shults has done observational studies with over 50 police agencies across the country. He has served on a number of advisory and advocacy boards, including the Colorado POST curriculum committee, as a subject matter expert.

His latest book The Badge and the Brain is available at www.joelshults.com.

Follow Joel on Twitter @ChiefShults.

Contact Joel Shults

Full list of Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D. results

What your prosecutor doesn’t know could hurt you
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Report writing is not a chore, it is the best tool for avoiding lost cases, lost lawsuits and in this current era, lost careers
Recent survey shows public lack of awareness regarding law enforcement
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A Pew Research Center report spells out the huge educational task facing police leaders and advocates
Watch out for the 'dropsies'
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Suspects have a lot of reasons for getting things down low
What would Sir Robert Peel do?
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Peel founded London's Metropolitan Police nearly 200 years ago guided by his belief that the police are the public and the public are the police
Analysis: Trump’s take on police reform
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The President's executive order voices clear support for law enforcement, avoids punitive actions and promises a reasonable review of policing practices
Understanding the policing profession is essential for effective reform
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In an era where policing remains highly trusted by most of the population, the movement for reform will likely be more grandstanding than groundbreaking
A letter to the American public: The steps you can take to support quality communities
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Concerned citizens must act to ensure equity and opportunity in their communities
What will investigators look for in the death of George Floyd?
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Whatever the outcome, the process must be evidence-based, deliberate and meet the highest standards of any homicide investigation
Life after COVID: 6 ways to fail to learn
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The clarity, consistency and credibility of internal messaging was particularly important during this event
Promoting positive coping strategies in law enforcement
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COPS Office report outlines shortfall of departments in providing adequate mental health resources officers feel comfortable accessing
Civil disobedience behind the badge
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Can a uniformed officer remain silent and go about a duty that is repugnant to the Constitution?
The armed government agent in a crisis
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Police leaders must remain an objective voice of reason to avoid polarizing an already anxious populace
Why psychology matters during a crisis
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Understanding how people process crisis events will enable first responders to more effectively communicate with communities
College students’ fallen officer project stands through the pandemic
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While these criminal justice students may be in a small college, they go big when it comes to honoring America’s fallen heroes
Policing in a panic: COVID-19 response lessons agencies should immediately implement
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Wellness services, PPE, accurate information and relevant emergency policies are all needed to sustain the efforts of law enforcement during the coronavirus pandemic
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