PhDs Getting Scammed, Overcoming Workaholism, and The Ivory Tower (with Javier Salazar) Ep|130

Javier Salazar never planned on becoming a Sheriff. What started as a way to pay for college eventually turned into a 33-year career in law enforcement, including 23 years with the San Antonio Police Department before becoming the 34th Sheriff of Bexar County. Along the way, he's learned that leadership is about solving problems, listening to your people, and preparing for challenges before they arrive.
In this episode of The Chief Exchange Podcast, Sheriff Salazar shares why one of the biggest challenges facing sheriffs across America isn't crime, it's mental health. We discuss the innovative mental health teams his agency has built, why county jails have become the nation's largest mental health facilities, and what needs to change to better serve those struggling with addiction and mental illness. We also dive into the power of networking with leaders across the country, how one conference helped stop a nationwide scam targeting citizens, why every leader needs to stay connected with the people doing the work, and the financial and life lessons he wishes he had learned much earlier in his career.