Navigating the First Year: Insights from New Police Chiefs

Sunday, October 19, 2025

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM MT

Location: Mile High Ballroom 2C/3C, Colorado Convention Center

Stepping into the role of a police chief for the first time is a journey filled with learning and adaptation—especially in today’s climate of political division and social upheaval. This panel brings together first-time, first-year chiefs to share their stories of overcoming challenges, the invaluable lessons they’ve learned, and the advice they wish they’d had from the start. Despite leading vastly different departments, navigating unique political landscapes, and serving diverse communities, these chiefs have discovered common threads in their experiences. Their insights are not only enlightening but essential for anyone aspiring to lead a law enforcement agency.

Submitter and Speaker(s)

Robin S. Engel, Ph.D

Senior Research Scientist
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States

Speaker(s)

LD

Lisa Davis

Chief of Police
Austin Police Department
Austin, Texas, United States
Kevin Hall

Chief of Police
Spokane Police Department
Spokane, Washington, United States
PH

Paul Humphrey

Chief of Police
Louisville Metro Police Department
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Dennis Larsen

Chief of Police
Tulsa Police Department
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Tarrick McGuire

Chief
Alexandria Police Department
Alexandria, Virginia, United States