Episode Details

Following a seemingly impossible success in my police department’s recruiting efforts, I was invited to speak on a Lexipol panel focusing on the challenges and insights of police recruiting today.  Among the panelists was ret. Assistant Chief Jonni Redick from the California Highway Patrol.  I was extremely humbled to be included amongst her and the other panelists.  Not only was she instantly a wealth of knowledge and mentor by proxy, but extremely gracious in her compliments of my drive, offerings and leadership potential.

Sometimes we need a nudge of validation, and oftentimes I have found it of importance to receive it outside of your typical circles.  In our conversation, we take a deep dive into Jonni’s leadership prowess and how it developed through her life, assignments, and experiences.  

Jonni shares much of her story, lessons learned, and what we can all do to keep striving forward to overcome the doubters, and defeat the fixed mindset that we oftentimes allow to halt our own potential.  The takeaways in leadership and life surpass the bounds of the law enforcement or first responder professions undoubtedly.  

You can find Jonni and connect on LinkedIn.
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Jonni Redick retired from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as an Assistant Chief after serving a distinguished 29-year career. During her tenure, she rose through the ranks from a county clerical worker, breaking through the “less-than-one-percent” ceiling for women of color in executive leadership in law enforcement. She worked in a large multi-billion-dollar state agency with over 7,500 sworn members and collectively over 11,000 total employees.

Throughout her career, Redick worked across various locations in California, holding uniformed ranks from officer to Assistant Chief. 
Redick instructed first-line supervisors, middle managers, and commanders in her organization for over fifteen years. Her training and instructional background include leadership development, promotional readiness, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), organizational change, risk management, and public trust.   She graduated from the California Commission on POST Command College and  holds a Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership. Additionally, she is a doctoral candidate  for a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Change and Administration.

Redick is an adjunct faculty member for the University of San Diego, where she trains leaders nationwide, and San Joaquin Delta College. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the American Association of University Women, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

In addition, she is a published author of two books: “Survival Guide” to Law Enforcement Promotional Preparation and her leadership memoir “Black, White & Blue: Surviving the Sifting.” She is also a regular contributor to Police1 and a public speaker.

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