219: Real Talk on Real Police Leadership, w/ Chief Booker Hodges

2025-05-22

A buddy I used to work with sent me a news interview of his chief, commenting on a pursuit of a suspect vehicle, with an arrest. The chief spoke plainly, unapologetically on the necessary actions of the officers to stop and control this suspect, who was a danger to the community. These are things that are not lost on us in the first responder (and support) communities, but it's something we often see police leaders have to dance around and dress-up the brass tacks. As he says in our interview, "Ain't nobody trying t...

These are things that are not lost on us in the first responder (and support) communities, but it's something we often see police leaders have to dance around and dress-up the brass tacks. As he says in our interview, "Ain't nobody trying to hear that man.. just tell people what the truth is."

Chief Booker Hodges shares his impressive story of how he came up in the projects, built an extensive professional and academic achievements, his take on sense of self, trust and transparency, and leading (not managing) with conviction. When a chief of a BIG agency is known to be a cop's cop, along with the resume, that is a TRUE compliment.

Police Chief Booker Hodges has worked as a school resource officer, patrol
deputy, narcotics detective, SWAT operator, patrol overnight watch
commander, inspector, undersheriff, acting chief deputy, an assistant public
safety commissioner and now chief of police. Prior to joining the Bloomington Police Department in April of 2022, he served with Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Prior Lake Police Department and the Ramsey and Dakota County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Hodges earned a doctorate degree in public administration. An
adjunct professor at University of Northwestern in Saint Paul and past
president of the Northstar Chapter of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and currently serves on the national board as the elected parliamentarian.

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*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

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