In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, we tackle a costly leadership problem in policing: quiet infighting among leaders that fractures collaboration, slows operations, and erodes public trust.

Drawing from real command‑staff experiences, they unpack how “my division” thinking, surprise decisions, and ego-driven identities turn internal partners into competitors—and what it takes to rebuild an agency‑first culture.

You’ll hear candid stories from the command table and the kitchen table—including a quick “course correction” after the FBI National Academy that illustrates how easily people drift from “we” to “me,” and how intentional resets bring teams back to mission.

Listener takeaways:

A simple checklist to name drift, put the mission in the room, and make trust visible

How to create a 30‑day shared win with a cross‑unit case captain

Language swaps that shift identity from unit‑first to agency‑first

How to recognize and interrupt “kingdom building” early—before it costs your community.

Are you tired of setting goals every January—only to watch them fade away as the year gets busy? We’ve all been there.

In this episode of the Elevate Your Call to Service Podcast, co-hosts Mike and Cathy McIntosh reveal the hidden flaws behind traditional goal setting in law enforcement and police leadership. Discover why waiting until January to set your goals can actually set you up to fail—and what high-performing police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and law enforcement leaders do differently to achieve real results.

Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience in law enforcement and leadership, Mike and Cathy break down a proven seven-part framework that helps you set, track, and crush your goals—no matter the time of year. Whether you’re a police officer, sheriff’s deputy, or aspiring leader, you’ll learn how to avoid the most common goal-setting mistakes, build unstoppable momentum, and create a leadership legacy that lasts.

Don’t let another year slip by. Tune in now to discover the strategies that top law enforcement professionals use to stay intentional, accountable, and ahead of the game. Plus, download our free baseball-themed goal focus worksheet at leleaders.com/elevate to start your journey today!

What kind of legacy are you building as a law enforcement leader? In this candid episode, Mike—a 40-year law enforcement veteran—and Cathy—a 40-year law enforcement spouse—explore the real impact of leadership legacy in policing, both at work and at home.

Building on last episode’s heartfelt conversation with Mike’s father, they reflect on how leadership habits, values, and even mistakes are passed down through generations. Mike and Cathy share personal stories about the legacies they’ve inherited, the challenges of breaking negative cycles, and the power of being intentional about the mark you leave on your agency, your team, and your family.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How legacy in law enforcement is shaped by both what you inherit and what you choose to pass on

* Real examples of positive and negative leadership traits handed down through agencies

* The shift in law enforcement culture toward valuing family and work-life balance

* Why self-awareness and honest feedback are crucial for leaders who want to change course

* Practical ways to become more intentional about your leadership legacy—starting today

Whether you’re a chief, supervisor, or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge you to reflect on your own journey and give you actionable ideas to build a legacy you—and those who follow you—can be proud of.

Don’t miss the closing challenge: one simple step you can take this week to strengthen your leadership legacy.

In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, host Mike McIntosh welcomes his father, veteran superintendent John McIntosh, for a powerful conversation on generational leadership in law enforcement and public service. Hear real stories about overcoming adversity, the impact of mentors, and the critical role of trust and recognition in building strong teams.

Discover practical leadership advice on:

Building trust and repairing broken relationships

Recognizing every team member, from frontline officers to support staff

Balancing professional demands with family and wellness

Creating a positive, accountable organizational culture

Whether you’re a law enforcement leader, supervisor, or aspiring to serve at a higher level, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead with integrity, connect across generations, and elevate your call to service.

View our show notes at www.leleaders.com/elevate/40-generational-leadership

Unlock the power of proactive leadership in law enforcement.

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Abigail Tucker, a board-certified police and public safety psychologist and co-founder of the Heroes Active Bystander program. In this essential conversation, Dr. Tucker reveals why active bystander skills are critical for law enforcement leaders who want to prevent misconduct, reduce costly mistakes, and foster a culture of wellness and accountability.

Learn how to overcome the hidden barriers that keep officers from intervening, and find out why simply having a “duty to intervene” policy isn’t enough. Dr. Tucker shares actionable strategies for building a department where every member feels empowered to step in—protecting their colleagues, their careers, and the communities they serve.

This episode delivers practical insights and proven tools to help you create a safer, healthier, and more resilient agency. Don’t miss this deep dive into the psychology of intervention, the importance of ongoing training, and the steps you can take today to elevate your call to service.

View our show notes at www.leleaders.com/elevate/39-the-moment-you-stay-silent-how-one-miss-can-change-your-law-enforcement-career

Is self-doubt killing your law enforcement leadership potential?

Relentless pressures like community unrest, staffing shortages, and self-doubt can fracture teams and erode trust. In Episode 38 of Elevate Your Call to Service, we reveal how personal leadership conquers chaos.

Learn practical tools to overcome impostor syndrome, build trusted teams, and lead with resilience. This episode offers actionable strategies to strengthen your agency leadership and restore community confidence.

Don’t let self-doubt derail your legacy—tune in to unlock your potential and lead with purpose.

Overwhelmed by agency chaos or self-doubt?

As a law enforcement executive, you face relentless pressures—protests, staffing shortages, and budget cuts that erode team morale and community trust. Episode 37 of Elevate Your Call to Service equips you with proven tools to conquer overwhelm and lead with confidence. Join hosts Mike and Cathy McIntosh as they share the CALM framework—a repeatable system to control what you can, assess with clarity, lead with integrity, and move forward deliberately.

Drawing on real-life crises, like a line-of-duty death and a US Navy tactical pause, this episode delivers actionable strategies to build trusted teams, restore community confidence, and transform your agency.

Don’t let uncertainty derail you.

Tune in to lead proactively and leave a lasting legacy.

Exhausted from endless shifts? Can't shut off your brain after a high-stress call?

Discover why sleep deprivation is the silent epidemic plaguing law enforcement and how you can reclaim your health, resilience, and edge on the job. In Episode 36 of Elevate Your Call to Service, we dive deep into the critical role sleep plays in officer wellness with insights from Dr. Chris Winter’s The Sleep Solution.

Learn battle-tested strategies to conquer sleep debt, boost performance, and thrive in your career and personal life. From crafting a sleep hygiene routine to optimizing your environment, we share practical tools tailored for shift workers. Stop running on fumes—sleep is your secret leadership weapon!

Tune in to transform your rest and elevate your service.