Brian Baxter
Assistant Chief, Texas Dept. of Public Safety (Retired) | Transformative Leader | Seasoned Use of Force and Police Practices Specialist | Working to Enhance Universal Safety and Reinforce the Public Trust
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Recently (very recently) I received a load of guff for accepting an interview with someone whose history includes a drug-related brush with the law. Meanwhile, a record setting 110,905 fans attended George Strait’s latest concert in College Station, Texas. When people fall, we should let them get up. No, on second thought, when people fall we should HELP them get up. If they happen to wind up better off than us, we should clap for them. In the words of Heracl*tus, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”
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Ken Evans
Undersheriff (Retired) Williamson County Sheriff's Office
5d
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There are many examples of those with criminal records who have changed their lives so dramatically that their positive impact on the world can be said to far surpass what many of us have ever achieved. Often it’s the lessons learned from falling that can help build the focus, commitment, and resiliance they pull from to achieve success. I dare say, there are many among us who manage to fly under the radar of us all and if we learned of their past it may shock you. I have found that some of their personal stories are incredibly powerful and true examples of change being possible regardless of circ*mstances, if the person chooses the right path.I would say thank you for taking the time to engage with this person. Had you not, it would have continued our stereotype of just being unforgiving. This is not to say there are not many criminals that choose a life of crime no matter what, it’s just in their DNA, but not all of them. We must always force ourselves as leaders to look beyond the labels.
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Rebecca H.
4d
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The mentality to permanently persecute people for past mistakes breeds liars. I have a friend- whose first exposure to p*t was her older siblings physically making her as a small child. People who grew up without adversity or exposure to certain lifestyles could never understand what it's like. Personally, I trust someone who has been tested and shown fortitude and/or growth far more than someone who's life has been so good and sheltered that you really have no idea what sort of person they are.
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Tony Skinner
Former Law Enforcement, Correctional Officer, Military Veteran, and Founder of Op6. 32+ years in the protection of others.
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That's good stuff, my brother. Well said.
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Matt Cutrer
The Matt Cutrer Report focuses of covering the extraordinary stories about extra-ordinary people.
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Wow. This means the world that you would say this Mr. Baxter. I honestly had no idea you were receiving such flak. It just seems that no matter how much good I try to do, some people won’t allow me to better myself and move past my mistakes and want me to “stay down.” All I can do is continue to prove them wrong with my actions. It’s people like you that are the real heroes in my opinion. You’ll never truly understand how grateful I am for your words and your actions. Thank you.
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Christopher Harper, CCIPS, CHPA
Security Practitioner and Consultant
4d
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If your not failing your not human. People fail all the time, it's not the failing that is important, its what a person does from that that failing and if they build their character and become a more wise and better person. I think time is very relevant. A person who made a mistake ten years ago isn't the same as a person who made the same mistake every month for a year.
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Dr. Travis Yates
Keynote Speaker & Trainer | Author | "The Courageous Police Leader"
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Excellent words brother.
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Brenda Minge
Life Coach, Trauma Therapist, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Board Member The Veterans Ranch
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Amen
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John Rodriguez Jr.
Retired- Major at Texas Department of Public Safety
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Well said Brian! 👏
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Brian Baxter
Assistant Chief, Texas Dept. of Public Safety (Retired) | Transformative Leader | Seasoned Use of Force and Police Practices Specialist | Working to Enhance Universal Safety and Reinforce the Public Trust
Former Uvalde schools police chief indicted for role in Robb Elementary shooting response click2houston.com- Report this post
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Brian Baxter
Assistant Chief, Texas Dept. of Public Safety (Retired) | Transformative Leader | Seasoned Use of Force and Police Practices Specialist | Working to Enhance Universal Safety and Reinforce the Public Trust
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Recent Polls on Policing Positive for Law Enforcement - Lexipol https://www.lexipol.com"While the 'very favorable' rating from May 2024 has not rebounded back to the level seen in April 2021, the substantial increase among 'favorable' respondents was enough to boost overall positive views of police."Leaders, what are some things that we can we do RIGHT NOW and in the future to see that the trend continues toward "very favorable"?
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Brian Baxter
Assistant Chief, Texas Dept. of Public Safety (Retired) | Transformative Leader | Seasoned Use of Force and Police Practices Specialist | Working to Enhance Universal Safety and Reinforce the Public Trust
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It's about much more than the election, but that's a super important component. I appreciate Matt Cutrer spending the time and energy addressing topics that matter to his town. Also, congratulations to Chief Travis Griffith who swore in earlier today!
Episode 12: Brian Baxter -- Stop the Madness! Why Are We Still Electing our Police Chief? https://www.youtube.com/
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Brian Baxter
Assistant Chief, Texas Dept. of Public Safety (Retired) | Transformative Leader | Seasoned Use of Force and Police Practices Specialist | Working to Enhance Universal Safety and Reinforce the Public Trust
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One of the very good questions asked by Matt Cutrer in a recent interview. We were talking about a number of topics including #Leadership, #Service, and the debate surrounding the issue of having an elected police chief in San Angelo, Texas. The rest of it will be avilable tomorrow at noon.
What Makes a Good Leader? #themattcutrerreport #leadership #leaders #leadershipmatters #sanangelotx https://www.youtube.com/
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Brian Baxter
Assistant Chief, Texas Dept. of Public Safety (Retired) | Transformative Leader | Seasoned Use of Force and Police Practices Specialist | Working to Enhance Universal Safety and Reinforce the Public Trust
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"Please don't rob my reps!"
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Brian Baxter
Assistant Chief, Texas Dept. of Public Safety (Retired) | Transformative Leader | Seasoned Use of Force and Police Practices Specialist | Working to Enhance Universal Safety and Reinforce the Public Trust
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The best way to convince someone that you care is to actually care. What does that mean?The best way to meet the needs of your partner is to make their needs your own needs. In other words, don’t greet them at the door when they get home from work because you know they need to feel connection. Rather, meet them at the door when they get home from work because YOU need for them to feel connection. Don’t encourage them to go back to school because you know they need to feel autonomy. Rather, encourage them to go back to school because YOU need for them to feel autonomy. The same is true for reinforcing the public trust as public safety leaders. We must make the needs of our communities our own needs. Don’t work to reduce crime because you know that people need less crime to be safe. Rather, work to reduce crime because YOU need for people to be safe - and to feel safe. The right answers are easy to find when we remember our true mission and put ourselves (as servants) second.
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Brian Baxter
Assistant Chief, Texas Dept. of Public Safety (Retired) | Transformative Leader | Seasoned Use of Force and Police Practices Specialist | Working to Enhance Universal Safety and Reinforce the Public Trust
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The elements of courageous leadership that Dr. Travis Yates refers to are ingredients in the secret sauce for reinforcing the #PublicTrust. Support, Empowerment, Transparency, and Truth-Telling!
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