#53 - Chief of Police Carrie Ellis | Women in Policing and Leadership

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom is joined by Chief Carrie Ellis, a law enforcement leader with more than three decades of experience and the author of Ma’am In Command.

Chief Ellis currently serves as the Chief of Police at Central Texas College and was recently sworn in as President of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, becoming only the second woman to hold that position in roughly thirty years.

This conversation explores the realities women face in law enforcement, but more importantly, the practical leadership lessons required to reach command positions. While the book is written with women in mind, much of the guidance applies to anyone pursuing executive leadership in policing.

The discussion also expands beyond policing to examine how police chiefs, city managers, and elected officials influence organizational culture, recruitment, and leadership development inside departments.

Chief Ellis shares her journey into law enforcement, the barriers she encountered, and the mindset required to overcome them. She also discusses the 30×30 initiative and what agencies are getting right, and where more work is needed to build sustainable leadership pipelines.

This episode is a must listen for police executives, city managers, and anyone interested in leadership development within local government.

Key Topics

• Why Chief Ellis wrote Ma’am In Command and the gap it fills in leadership development • The reality of women in law enforcement and leadership roles • Practical advice for officers pursuing command positions • The importance of listening to understand in leadership • Cultural barriers inside police organizations and how they develop • What police chiefs can do to support leadership growth • The role of city managers and elected officials in shaping police culture • Chief Ellis’ leadership as President of the Texas Police Chiefs Association • Leadership lessons that apply beyond law enforcement

Leadership Insights

Leadership is built over time, not in a single moment Chief Ellis describes her path as a series of experiences that shaped how she leads, rather than a single defining event.

Listening is one of the most critical leadership skills Leaders must listen to understand, not just to respond, in order to build trust and develop their teams.

Leadership culture starts at the top The approach of the chief directly influences recruitment, retention, and advancement opportunities within a department.

Confidence and mindset are critical to advancement Future leaders must push past doubt, avoid perfection paralysis, and take action even when conditions are not ideal.

Resources

🔗 Ma’am In Command https://www.amazon.com/Maam-Command-Guide-Aspiring-Positions/dp/B0GFT6889N

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