Member Voices
Your Voice. Your Experience. Our Community.
Welcome to Member Voices, CPCA’s new online blog that highlights the leadership, insights, and innovations of our members. This blog continues the spirit of our printed magazine in a new digital format, offering a more timely and accessible way to share experiences and expertise from across California’s policing community.
To celebrate this evolution, we are launching a special collection of articles that will be published during a month-long campaign this November. Our goal is to engage members and celebrate the collective knowledge, wisdom, and innovation within our membership.
We invite all CPCA members — chiefs, seconds-in-command, and retired members — to contribute. Whether you want to reflect on your career, showcase an innovative program, or offer lessons learned, this is your opportunity to share your story and inspire others.
FAQ
Absolutely! We don't expect you to be a professional writer on top of being a professional policing leader. If you have a story or insight to share, our team is here to help. We will work with you to revise and shape your article as needed. What matters most is your perspective and experience, not having the most polished writing!
We welcome submissions on any topics that can provide value to our membership. We encourage you to write about what you are passionate about! That said, if you are looking for inspiration, here are some themes we hope to include in this year's collection:
- Building Trust & Strengthening Community Relations
How can law enforcement foster transparency, accountability, and meaningful partnerships with the communities they serve? Share success stories, challenges, and innovative approaches.
- Leadership, Growth & Professional Development
What leadership lessons have shaped your career? Explore mentorship, officer development, and strategies for cultivating resilient, effective law enforcement leaders.
- Wellness & Resilience in Policing
Policing is a demanding profession. How can departments support officer mental health, wellness, and overall well-being? Highlight programs, policies, and personal experiences that promote resilience.
- Technology & The Future of Policing
From emerging technologies to data-driven strategies, how is law enforcement evolving? Share insights on innovations that are shaping the future of public safety.
- Critical Incidents & Crisis Response
How do law enforcement professionals navigate high-pressure situations? Discuss de-escalation strategies, emergency preparedness, and lessons learned from real-world experiences.
Submission Guidelines:
- Submissions should be original, between 500-1,500 words, and provide valuable perspectives for fellow law enforcement leaders.
- Your draft will be subject to minor edits by CPCA staff for clarity, grammar, and formatting.
- If major revisions are required, we will provide feedback and offer you the opportunity to resubmit your article.
- Please ensure your submission is professional, respectful, and relevant to the CPCA audience.
Deadline for the 2025 Member Voices Launch:
- We strongly encourage you to submit your draft by August 15, 2025 to allow ample time for review, editing, and—if needed—revisions before publication. However, articles will continue to be accepted through October 1st.
Yes. Member Voices is designed to showcase the leadership and innovation of CPCA members not only to one another, but also to the broader community. Articles will be published on the CPCA public website so they can be easily accessed, shared, and referenced.
We believe this open format gives members the opportunity to share their perspectives more widely, highlight the great work happening in agencies across the state, and contribute to the public conversation around modern policing. You are welcome to share a link to your published article with your agency, peers, or external audiences.