
Why new police supervisors struggle — and how to fix it
From Policing Matters by Police1.com
May 6, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 555
About this episode
This episode discusses the challenges new police supervisors face and how to better prepare them for leadership roles.
Leadership in law enforcement isn’t automatic — it’s learned, often the hard way. In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley sits down with Lt. Sean M. Carroll (ret.), author of “A.I.O. Leadership for Law Enforcement: The Proven System That Forges Legendary Leaders Who Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome,” to talk about what really happens when officers step into leadership roles — and why so many struggle early on. From the jump from officer to sergeant — and the isolation that comes with it — Carroll breaks down the realities of leading in policing, including gaps in training, the importance of self-awareness and the shift from doing the job to developing others. The conversation focuses on what effective leaders do differently — and how agencies can better prepare them from the start. About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.
People in this episode
Host: Jim Dudley
Guest: Lt. Sean M. Carroll
Topics covered
- leadership
- law enforcement
- training
- supervision
- self-awareness
- agency preparation
Keywords
- police leadership
- supervisor training
- law enforcement challenges
- self-awareness
- effective leadership
Sponsors
OfficerStore
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: A.I.O. Leadership for Law Enforcement
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