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

Report details progress of President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing recommendations
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Recommendations still offer a worthy template for today’s law enforcement agencies seeking to improve the level of trust in their communities
2021 in review: The top police news of the year
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A roundup of the biggest stories impacting law enforcement in 2021
What officers said were the biggest challenges of 2021 (and why leaders should pay attention)
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The attention of LE executives is always drawn to the day's headlines, but visionary leaders construct long-term strategies for long-term challenges
6 reasons tactical disengagement and redeployment is not ‘running away’
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Tactical redeployment is a strategic tool that should be in our tool kit
What can police leaders do about murder?
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While total murder numbers are not the highest we've seen, the increase from year to year is record-setting
How technology can improve police-community relationships
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"Technology plays an incredibly important role in making people feel safe, solving crimes, and building trust and legitimacy within the community."
How the National Law Enforcement Museum honors and educates
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Whether you are a rookie, a veteran or a member of the public, interactive exhibits and fascinating artifacts make this museum a must-visit
A firearms guide for police recruits and rookie cops
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Your duty weapon and backup weapons should be as familiar in your hands as your favorite coffee cup
Community-police engagement at the forefront of National Faith & Blue Weekend
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Uniting law enforcement and communities through connections in local faith-based and community organizations
IACP Quick Take: A post 9-11 intelligence analyst’s advice for local law enforcement
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CIA and FBI analyst Philip Mudd describes the goals and methods for local law enforcement networks to focus their concerns
IACP Quick Take: Learning from the ‘critical incidents’ of 2020
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Panelists shared lessons learned, leading practices and cutting-edge approaches that can assist agencies in dealing with unplanned critical incidents
Why cops should love National Night Out
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There is nothing more effective for building trust than personal, positive contacts between the police and those they protect and serve
Training day: Documentary provides perspective on police mental health response
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Law enforcement agencies can stream “Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops” for free through May 2022 to better prepare cops to respond to people in crisis
What officers and the public are thinking about mental health crisis response
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A recent survey of 1,000 adults shows fewer than one in 10 recommend mental health professionals respond alone with no public safety personnel
3 ways to be a listening leader
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Our officers desire to serve with pride. Leaders must be intentional about keeping that desire alive
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