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

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
Kamala Harris: From California’s top cop to applauding defunding the LAPD
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Police leaders and those on the front lines should wonder what a Biden/Harris White House would mean for law enforcement
Urban mayors’ police reform report covers familiar ground
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One of the frustrations of the flood of reform recommendations is that the public is never informed that these practices are nearly universal in policing
What is your leadership IQ?
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The insatiable learner is the most effective leader
Back to school with no SRO: Will attacks increase?
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The distraction of COVID may overshadow other school safety concerns at a time when tensions and mental health issues are increasing
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
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