By Police1 Staff
BOSTON — For many law enforcement professionals, the idea of life beyond the badge raises a host of questions. In a recent IACP 2024 session, retired law enforcement leaders, including Doug Shoemaker, former Chief of Police from the Denton (Texas) Police Department, discussed transitioning from policing to new fields, particularly the private sector.
This session, “Preparing for Life After the Badge: What’s Next,” sponsored by Peregrine, offered practical insights for officers at all career stages who are contemplating their next steps.
Shoemaker, alongside fellow panelists Deputy Chief (Ret.) Mike O’Connor from the Atlanta Police Department, Commander (Ret.) Marcy Cox from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Chief (Ret.) Ron Raman from the San Pablo (Calif.) Police Department, shared the strategies and considerations that shaped their own post-policing journeys.
The panel explored the process of preparing for a career change, emphasizing the importance of skills assessment and understanding one’s strengths outside of law enforcement.
To hear more from Shoemaker on preparing for life after the badge, watch the video below, where he dives deeper into his personal experience and offers practical guidance for law enforcement professionals ready to take the next step.
