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

New data gives hope for informed reform
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A foundation of data is essential in conversations from the squad room to the halls of legislative bodies
Every cop needs a checkup from the neck up
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If you find yourself blaming every one of your character flaws on the job something needs to change
Improving police training: Should we change subject matter or teaching methods?
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Learning involves more than exposure to the material on a lesson plan
2020 in review: The year in 5 minutes
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Looking back at the events impacting public safety this year
Why 2021 will be a year for extrospection
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We have to think like those who attack law enforcement in order to move forward
Will a Biden presidency breathe new life into community policing?
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Policing is currently subject to more social experiments than at any time in the history of the profession
2020 state ballot measures law enforcement should know about
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Whether the issues passed or failed, what's on state ballots is evidence of what is on the minds of voters
6 don’ts of directing traffic
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Frankly, I’m frequently disappointed by the traffic directing I observe as a motorist
What does the thin blue line flag mean?
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While officers and law enforcement supporters have embraced the image as a source of pride, others see the blue line flag as a banner of defiance
Consider retention contracts to stop a flood of resignations
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It’s tough out there, so leaders must offer hope
Enhancing hands-on training with online learning
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Online learning can meet many of the demands of the human brain to engage with the material, retain information and ultimately perform better in the real world
8 things to know before establishing a mobile crisis intervention co-responder program
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There are many lessons to be shared from the partnership between the Eugene Police Department and CAHOOTS to deliver mental health outreach
The science of aggression
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When it comes to the use of force, officers are making decisions so incredibly complex and swift that it is impossible to know all of the intricacies in retrospect
A police advocate’s simple suggestion: Walk a simulated mile in a cop’s shoes
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Members of legislative bodies and civilian oversight boards should be urged to engage in some law enforcement training
When red flags are too late: Police leaders must act now to save their officers
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Leaders must not assume that the stoicism and strength shown by their officers is a sustainable strategy for wellness
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