The CopDoc Podcast: Aiming for Excellence in Leadership

• From Italy to US: Police Commander's Journey - Diego Zannella - Lake Forest Park, WA Police

  Hey there! Send us a message. Who else should we be talking to? What topics are important? Use FanMail to connect! Let us know!The CopDoc Podcast- Season 8 - Episode 158 Ever wonder what American policing looks like through the eyes of someone trained in European military special forces? Commander Diego Zanella offers that rare perspective, having journeyed from Italian paratrooper to American police commander. His story isn't just about cultural transitions—it reveals universal leadership truths that transcend borders.Born and raised in Florence, Zanella moved to Seattle at age 31 with minimal English skills but a wealth of tactical experience. After 9/11, he felt compelled to serve his adopted country, joining law enforcement rather than returning to military service. Now commanding patrol operations at Lake Forest Park Police Department near Seattle, Zanella brings fresh eyes to American policing traditions.What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Zanella's ability to compare European and American approaches to police leadership. While many European officers undergo 3-5 years of academic training before assuming leadership roles, American officers often pursue higher education mid-career. This contrast raises thought-provoking questions about how we develop police leaders.Zanella champions what he calls the "upside-down pyramid" of leadership—where commanders exist primarily to support sergeants, who support officers, who serve the community. "I am not the face of the department," he emphasizes. "My officers are." This servant-leadership philosophy has shaped his approach across multiple agencies.Perhaps most inspiring is Zanella's commitment to continuous learning. He maintains an Italian-language podcast sharing American policing methods with Carabinieri and Polizia officers, mentors aspiring leaders, and encourages officers to keep leadership journals for reflection. His parting wisdom resonates regardless of your field: "No matter your experience or education, keep learning something new every day, so tomorrow you can be better than today."Whether you're in law enforcement, interested in cross-cultural leadership perspectives, or simply appreciate stories of reinvention, this conversation offers valuable insights on building bridges between traditions while never stopping your leadership journey. Subscribe to hear more thought-provoking discussions with innovative police leaders from around the world.Contact us: [email protected] Website: www.copdocpodcast.comIf you'd like to arrange for facilitated training, or consulting, or talk about steps you might take to improve your leadership and help in your quest for promotion, contact Steve at [email protected]

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• Eric Smith - Colonel, Kansas Highway Patrol - Be Hard on Problems, Soft on People

  Hey there! Send us a message. Who else should we be talking to? What topics are important? Use FanMail to connect! Let us know!Season 8 - The CopDoc Podcast - Episode 157Colonel Eric Smith's journey from Boeing sheet metal mechanic to leading the Kansas Highway Patrol reveals what transformative police leadership looks like in action. After a chance encounter with a sergeant led him to volunteer as a dispatcher, Smith found his calling in law enforcement, spending nine years with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office before joining DEA for 21 years, eventually rising to high-ranking leadership positions.When Smith took command of a divided Kansas Highway Patrol in 2023, he immediately embarked on statewide listening tours, but with a crucial difference from traditional "meet-and-greets" – he documented every concern, created accountability spreadsheets, and demanded solutions from command staff. His approach shocked some senior leaders comfortable with the status quo, but resonated deeply with officers hungry for meaningful change.At the heart of Smith's philosophy is the belief that "you should be hard on problems and soft on people." This mindset transformed KHP's rigid disciplinary structure, creating an environment where officers aren't afraid to take necessary risks or admit mistakes. By recognizing that few errors are truly career-ending, Smith cultivates a culture of growth rather than fear.The parallels between Smith's DEA experience and his current role are striking. Just as he understood that federal agents must respect that "it's their town, I'm just walking through it" when working with local agencies, Smith approaches relationships with county sheriffs from a position of humility. "The question that should come out of our mouth is 'What can I do to help?'" he explains, not "I'm taking over now."Smith grounds KHP's purpose in three principles: service requires sacrifice, courtesy demands recognizing dignity in every person, and protection takes courage. By connecting these values to personal identity – "you are not playing FOR KHP, you ARE KHP" – he transforms abstract concepts into deeply meaningful guideposts for officers.Want to build an organization where people feel valued and accomplish extraordinary things? Listen to this conversation between two former DEA colleagues who understand that effective leadership isn't about position or power – it's about creating environments where people know they matter. Subscribe now for more insights from law enforcement leaders transforming police culture from within.Contact us: [email protected] Website: www.copdocpodcast.comIf you'd like to arrange for facilitated training, or consulting, or talk about steps you might take to improve your leadership and help in your quest for promotion, contact Steve at [email protected]

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• From Boston to LA: Jim McDonnell - One Chief's Journey Through Three Departments

  Hey there! Send us a message. Who else should we be talking to? What topics are important? Use FanMail to connect! Let us know!The CopDoc Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 156 Chief Jim McDonald's journey in law enforcement reads like a masterclass in adaptive leadership. From his bold decision to leave Boston for Los Angeles with just $400 and two suitcases to his current role leading one of America's largest police departments, McDonald exemplifies how stepping beyond comfort zones catalyzes professional growth.The conversation reveals McDonald's approach to leadership transitions across three major departments – LAPD, Long Beach PD, and LA Sheriff's Department – before returning to lead LAPD. Rather than imposing previous methods, he entered each organization with respect for existing traditions while bringing fresh perspectives. "I did make some changes but tried to be respectful of the organization and its history," he notes, demonstrating how balancing innovation with cultural awareness builds effective leadership.McDonald's candid assessment of modern policing challenges is particularly compelling. While facing critical staffing shortages (1,400 officers below authorized strength), unprecedented natural disasters, and civil unrest, his department still achieved a 30% reduction in homicides. This success stems from his commitment to both operational excellence and human connection – listening more than talking, valuing diverse perspectives, and ensuring officers have proper wellness support.Perhaps most thought-provoking is McDonald's reflection on how the profession has evolved. Today's officers must navigate increasingly complex social dynamics, particularly mental health crises, while maintaining tactical readiness. "We need someone who can be compassionate with a traumatized child, then rush into a school to stop an active shooter," he explains, highlighting the multidimensional skills modern officers require.As LAPD prepares for world-stage events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics, McDonald's experience across multiple departments provides unique insights into building cooperative security frameworks. His optimism about policing's future, grounded in admiration for incoming officers' innovative perspectives, offers hope for a profession facing unprecedented challenges.Discover why McDonald believes getting uncomfortable is essential for professional growth and how his seasoned leadership is reshaping LAPD for 21st century challenges. His journey proves that sometimes the most valuable career moves are the ones you initially resist.Blog PostContact us: [email protected] Website: www.copdocpodcast.comIf you'd like to arrange for facilitated training, or consulting, or talk about steps you might take to improve your leadership and help in your quest for promotion, contact Steve at [email protected]

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• Dr. Mike Marquardt: The Power of Questions: How Great Leaders Ask Instead of Tell

  Hey there! Send us a message. Who else should we be talking to? What topics are important? Use FanMail to connect! Let us know!The CopDoc Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 155 What if the most powerful leadership tool isn't having all the answers, but asking the right questions? Dr. Michael Marquardt, after studying leaders across 50 countries for over five decades, discovered a surprising pattern—the greatest leaders in every field share one fundamental skill: they ask exceptional questions.In this thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Steve Morreale, Marquardt challenges traditional notions of leadership, particularly in policing where command-and-control approaches have dominated. Drawing from his extensive research and bestselling book "Leading with Questions," he explains how the simple act of inquiry can transform leadership effectiveness and organizational culture.For police leaders, the implications are profound. While officers excel at tactical questioning during investigations, leadership requires a different approach—one that uses open-ended questions to unlock creativity, build trust, and develop problem-solving capabilities throughout the organization. When leaders ask "What are you seeing?" or "How can we improve?" rather than issuing directives, they tap into collective intelligence and foster genuine engagement.Marquardt introduces the concept of "action learning"—reflecting on experiences to continuously improve—and explains how questioning creates learning organizations that adapt and thrive amid complexity. He offers practical strategies for leaders to shift their approach, acknowledging that great questions often don't yield immediate answers but trigger deeper thinking that leads to breakthrough insights.The conversation reveals how questioning is actually hardwired into human development—babies learn to walk and talk by asking subconscious questions—yet this natural learning approach gets suppressed in traditional organizations. By reclaiming the power of questions, leaders create psychologically safe environments where innovation flourishes and everyone contributes their best thinking.Whether you're a police executive, front-line supervisor, or aspiring leader in any field, this episode provides a masterclass in how to lead more effectively by embracing curiosity and inquiry. Learn how to ask better questions, create reflective practices, and build a culture where continuous improvement becomes the norm.Contact us: [email protected] Website: www.copdocpodcast.comIf you'd like to arrange for facilitated training, or consulting, or talk about steps you might take to improve your leadership and help in your quest for promotion, contact Steve at [email protected]

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• Jonathan Ziders - Assistant Chief: Rising Through the Ranks Changes Everything You Thought You Knew

  Hey there! Send us a message. Who else should we be talking to? What topics are important? Use FanMail to connect! Let us know!The CopDoc Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 154 Leadership doesn't happen in a vacuum – especially in policing, where decisions impact both officers and communities. In this revealing conversation, Assistant Chief Jonathan Ziders takes us on his remarkable journey from reluctant recruit to departmental leader."I never wanted to be a cop," Ziders candidly shares at the start of our discussion. His original dream of becoming a firefighter gave way to a policing career that has seen him rise through every rank in the Lancaster, NY Police Department, culminating in his recent appointment as the agency's first-ever Assistant Chief. This unique trajectory provides the backdrop for exploring how leadership perspectives transform with increased responsibility.Communication emerges as perhaps the most critical skill for police leaders. Ziders reflects on his evolution from an introverted officer to a leader responsible for setting departmental tone. "I had to learn how to speak and communicate differently because I started to realize that how I thought I should be wasn't going to work," he explains. His emphasis on explaining "the why" behind directives resonates as a leadership principle applicable far beyond policing.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Ziders discusses his data-driven approach to mental health response. After analyzing call data, he discovered mental health incidents were dramatically underreported in their systems – not intentionally, but due to classification practices. This revelation led to exploring co-responder models that pair officers with mental health clinicians, representing the forward-thinking approaches Ziters brings to his department.Throughout our discussion, Ziders repeatedly returns to the service core of policing, explaining how he reinforces this value with new officers: "When we're looking at hiring, those are the types of people that we want - the service-oriented individuals." His philosophy of leadership being about character – "who you are, not what you do" – offers wisdom for leaders in any field.Join us for this candid look at police leadership and discover why explaining purpose, fostering communication, and maintaining authenticity might be the most valuable tools in any leader's arsenal.Contact us: [email protected] Website: www.copdocpodcast.comIf you'd like to arrange for facilitated training, or consulting, or talk about steps you might take to improve your leadership and help in your quest for promotion, contact Steve at [email protected]

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