243: Leading Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, Wellness for Leaders, and Accountability for Improvement w/ Steve Strachan, WASPC

Blue Grit Radio: Improving Police and First Responders of Life through Mindset, Wellness, Leadership

Wellness and Leadership are major pillars that Blue Grit is built to explore, and in this episode, they intersect in significant ways. Steve Strachan (retired top cop for King County Sheriff’s Office, Bremerton, and Kent Police) is the executive director of WASPC (Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs). He helps us explore what didn’t work in police wellness in the past, where we have come, and how far we have still to go.

So much of this is a direct lift for the executive and senior leaders. Steve discusses ways to model health and wellness and suggests the deficiency in agencies where that is not occurring. This includes concepts for both physical and mental regimens, asking for and accepting help and peer support opportunities. Listen in for key takeaways for a HEALTHY environment and culture so officers can truly be well within the team and for the work they signed up to do.

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Executive Director Steve Strachan serves the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs following a 31-year career in law enforcement. Steve started as a part-time jailer with the Carver County (MN) Sheriff’s Office, then began as a full-time police officer with the Lakeville (MN) Police Department, where he served as a Patrol Officer, DARE Officer, Detective, School Resource Officer, SWAT Operator and Commander, Sergeant, and as Chief of Police. He served as a member of the City Council of Farmington, MN for six years, and in 2002 was elected to the Minnesota State House of Representatives.

In 2006, Steve began as Chief of Police in Kent, WA, and became chief deputy at the King County Sheriff’s Office in 2010. Steve was named Sheriff by the King County Council when Sheriff Sue Rahr became director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission. In 2013, Steve became chief of police in Bremerton, Washington, until his appointment as WASPC’s executive director in 2018.

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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