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In this Police1 webinar, Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker, Captain Tom Rizzo, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Police Department Chief Lance Arnold and recruiting expert Doug Larsen join leadership trainer and consultant Travis Yates to examine the link between leadership, recruiting and the retention of law enforcement professionals.
You’ll hear practical, field-tested leadership strategies you can drive from the top to remove friction in your hiring process and build the internal conditions that keep officers engaged and committed. We break down what truly motivates qualified applicants to act and the cultural and operational decisions inside agencies that quietly push employees out the door.
Whether you’re a chief, sheriff, command staff member, supervisor or recruiter, you’ll leave with a clear framework and immediate action steps you can implement to create staffing stability by aligning leadership, recruiting and retention into a single coordinated system.
By viewing this webinar, you will learn how to:
- Lead recruiting and retention with clear ownership, expectations and accountability.
- Build a culture that attracts candidates and keeps officers loyal to the mission.
- Identify and remove the “hidden friction” in your hiring process.
- Understand the motivations of new hires and veterans.
- Reduce attrition in the academy and on the job.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
- Police chiefs, sheriffs and command staff.
- First line supervisors.
- Recruitment and hiring managers.
- HR and personnel leaders.
- City and county officials responsible for public safety staffing.
WHAT ATTENDEES LIKED FROM THIS PRESENTATION:
“There were some very good ideas on recruitment; for example shortening processes as well as providing ways you can automate processes.”
“I liked that you had actual chiefs and officers explaining what they have seen and heard in their careers; what has worked and what has not. That’s real-life information that is helpful.”
“The key tips that make a difference such as communication frequency were poignant and helpful.”
“An honest and open discussion from an array of proffesionals sharing their expieriences.”
“A lot of good info packed into a manageable time.”
“Great advice and perspectives.”
MEET THE SPEAKERS:
Travis Yates is a nationally recognized law enforcement leader and a 30-year veteran of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Police Department, where he retired as a major. A court-certified expert in police policy and best practices, he has authored hundreds of articles on leadership and risk management. Travis is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership. He has trained thousands of officers and business leaders across 47 states and three countries in leadership and risk management principles and has been honored with the International Police Trainer of the Year and the Knight of Magnus Award for his significant contributions to leadership. He currently serves on the board of The Wounded Blue, advocating for officer wellness and principled leadership nationwide.
Thomas Rizzo is a 25-year law enforcement veteran and currently serving as the Investigations Division Commander at the rank of captain. He received a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida and an M.A. in Human Resource Training and Development from Seton Hall University. He graduated from the NJSACOP Command and Leadership Academy in 2009 and was invited to return as an instructor of group leadership theories. An inductee in the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame, Tom is an analyst with the industry’s leading docuseries, “On Patrol Live,” where police throughout the nation are followed as they patrol their jurisdictions.
Chief Lance Arnold is a 28-year law enforcement veteran who currently leads the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Police Department, where he has implemented the FLOURISH Leadership System — a comprehensive framework for how police organizations develop, select, assess and hold their leaders accountable.
Doug Larsen is the CEO of Safeguard Recruiting and a national leader in helping public safety agencies strengthen recruitment and modernize their hiring practices. With nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, Doug understands the operational and leadership challenges agencies face in attracting qualified talent. After retiring from law enforcement he founded Safeguard Recruiting to help departments simplify hiring, leverage technology and implement data-driven strategies that improve candidate quality and speed up selection. Doug is passionate about building strong, efficient teams that can meet today’s evolving public safety demands.
Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker is a 36-year law enforcement veteran with a proven leadership style that focuses on solution-based approaches. His assignments have spanned District Patrol, Special Operations, the South Street Detail, Criminal Investigations, Gun Violence enforcement and now executive leadership over recruitment. While assigned to South Street his strategic approach led to a 71% reduction in crime, improved business occupancy rates and enhanced quality of life in one of the region’s busiest entertainment districts. In 2021 John implemented the Shooting Investigations Group, where he utilized transformative leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that reshaped Philadelphia’s approach to non-fatal shooting investigations, leading to a 33% reduction in non-fatal shooting victims and a 123% improvement in clearance rates.