4-Star Conversations

Chief William Wu's path to policing was anything but conventional. Born in Taiwan and raised in a Chinese immigrant family that envisioned a very different future for him, Wu quietly entered the police academy while pursuing the professional career his family hoped he would choose. After earning a law degree and practicing law, he ultimately made the difficult decision to leave that career beh...

Chief John Miller of the Winters Police Department joins 4-Star Conversations to reflect on a career that didn’t follow a straight line — and the lessons that came from it. From being promoted and later reduced in rank during the Vallejo bankruptcy, to choosing to return to patrol later in his career, John shares how those experiences shaped his belief that rank doesn’t define who you are. It’s si...

Chief Sean Thuilliez, President of the California Police Chiefs Association and Chief of the Tustin Police Department, joins 4-Star Conversations to talk about leadership accountability, building teams that are prepared for the long term, and the balance between supporting your people and holding them accountable. Sean reflects on the moments that shaped his approach to leadership, including the h...

Retired Chief Max Bosel reflects on a 40+ year career in public safety — and why leadership doesn’t end when the title does. From leading through the challenges of 2020 to mentoring the next generation, Max shares what he’s learned about resilience, relationships, and staying engaged long after retirement. We also get a look inside CPCA’s Executive Leadership Certificate Program and the work Max h...

What does it take to leave a department you’ve spent more than two decades in and start over somewhere new? In this episode of 4-Star Conversations , Chief Jim Munro shares what it was like to spend 24 years with the Clovis Police Department before making one of the hardest — and best — decisions of his career: moving to Grover Beach to take on a new challenge. Starting as a Commander and later be...

In this episode, we sit down with Chief Jason Salazar of the Visalia Police Department and the current President of the California Police Chiefs Association. Chief Salazar began his career more than 30 years ago as a Community Service Officer, worked his way through every rank, and has now served as Chief for over a decade. He shares what it is like to grow alongside an organization, navigate shif...

In this episode, retired Chief Neil H. Gang joins us for a candid conversation about legacy, leadership, and what it really means to retire well . After 36 years in law enforcement, including nearly a decade leading the Pinole Police Department, Neil became known for innovative programs, people-first leadership, and creating the Asher Model, an organizational wellness framework now used across the...

In this episode, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French joins us for a grounded and deeply personal conversation about what it means to lead when life feels anything but steady. Chief French began her career in Richmond in 1998 and, in 2020, became the first woman and the first African American and Latina to lead the department. Her path has been marked by moments of transition, growth, and navigating...