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The New Police Chief: Toolkit for Success

The New Police Chief: Toolkit for Success

Instructor(s):
  • Harry P. Dolan
    Chief of Police (Ret.)
Location:
  • Webinar, N/A
Date(s):
  • Oct 9, 2025
Course Length:
  • 2-hour
Registration Fee:
    • $125.00 for the first attendee – $75.00 per each additional attendee

In addition to leading their local agencies, new police chiefs must also build trust and navigate relationships with local political leaders, city staff, prominent constituents, and more. Chief Harry P. Dolan (Ret.) served more than 32 years in law enforcement, with 25 of those years as a chief at four different agencies—ranging from a small state agency, to a small city, to a medium-sized city, to a major metropolitan city. In this two-hour webinar, retired Chief Harry P. Dolan will teach you what new chiefs need to know about leading from the front.

  • Waiting to start the new job: Do’s and don’ts before arriving at the new job
  • Introducing the “New Chief”: Recommendations regarding your first steps from the 25-Year School of Hard Knocks
  • Is there a difference between working for a city manager or mayor?
  • Once hired, what to do and not do in the first year- The power of experience & mentorship
  • How to keep the job—If I can’t keep the job, how to depart the right way
  • Keys to survival: As either an inside or outside chief
  • Lessons learned from chiefs who have succeeded and failed- “Welcome to the Arena”
  • Chief Dolan’s keys to success—It’s lonely at the top, but the view is great!
  • How to navigate external and internal politics and ethical dilemmas
  • How to retire healthy—know when it’s time to leave

Testimonials

Hiring and Retiring Healthy

  • “Thank you for doing this training! Every law enforcement & their families should have this training! SO IMPORTANT!”

-Detective, Utah

Verbal De-escalation: Surviving Verbal Conflict

  • “…Lt. Nieters’ ability to teach this class truly gripped me into seeing [that] I need a change. Hope to attend further training.”

-Patrolman, South Carolina

Improving Public Perception of the Police

  • “Harry Dolan was one of the best instructors I have encountered in 28 years of service.”

-Lieutenant, Wisconsin

Courageous Leadership for Today’s Public Safety

  • “Chief Dolan seamlessly fused his knowledge of history, law enforcement and leadership to provide a wealth of information on this topic. Two days flew by, great course!”

-Officer, Pennsylvania

Homicide Investigation

  • “This course was one of the best & most informative courses I have ever taken. Capt. Babcock’s expertise in the course matter is excellent.’

-Deputy, Florida

Making Discipline Stick

  • “I would consider Matt to be a master orator. Kept a serious topic interesting with his unique and fantastic sense of humor.”

-Detective, South Dakota

Verbal De-escalation

  • “One of/if not the best training I’ve attended. Chief’s lectures were relatable, accurate, and captivating. I really enjoyed the entire week.”

-Officer, Virginia

Taking the Lead: Courageous Leadership

  • “Very well done. [I] look forward to sending my police leaders to future Dolan Consulting Group trainings!

- Chief, Pennsylvania

Evidence-Based First-Line Supervision Training

  • “This should be required for ALL leaders (or people in command) across the nation.”

-Sergeant, Texas

Verbal De-escalation: Surviving Verbal Conflict

  • “I’ve sent 2 of my team members to Verbal De-Escalation. I’ve had it & it’s an amazing class. After encounters, I see the 180 degree difference in these young officers! I will petition to send all of them.”

-Attendee, North Carolina

Developing Organizational Performance Leadership