Beyond The Checklist

National Association for Accreditation Leadership
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Beyond the Checklist is the go-to podcast for public safety professionals, leaders, and accreditation experts dedicated to driving excellence in public safety organizations. Each episode dives into the practical aspects of the accreditation process, showcasing real-world success stories, challenges, and strategies that help agencies meet and exceed best practice standards. With interviews from top accreditation leaders, public safety officers, and industry experts, this show brings to light the actionable steps that agencies can take to earn and maintain accreditation and community trust.

  1. BTC - Episode 20 - Joe Race Part 2

    JAN 16

    BTC - Episode 20 - Joe Race Part 2

    Accreditation isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about what you learn along the way. In this episode, Joe Race of the Daigle Law Group challenges one of the most common traps in public safety accreditation: doing the work simply to satisfy a standard. From community surveys to use-of-force analysis, Joe breaks down why these processes lose their value when they’re treated as paperwork exercises—and how they become powerful tools when agencies approach them with genuine curiosity, leadership intent, and a commitment to improvement. This conversation goes beyond compliance to explore: Why intent matters more than documentation How accreditation can drive meaningful organizational learning What leaders miss when data is collected but not truly examined How caring about outcomes—not optics—builds trust internally and externally If you’re an accreditation manager, executive, assessor, or public safety leader who believes accreditation should strengthen culture, accountability, and legitimacy—not just fill a file—this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen in and rethink what it really means to “do it for accreditation.”

    37 min
  2. BTC - Episode 19 - Joe Race

    JAN 9

    BTC - Episode 19 - Joe Race

    In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, we sit down with Joe Race—public safety attorney, former police captain, accreditation manager, and national assessor—to explore why “we don’t do it for accreditation.” Drawing on his experience as a Marine Corps veteran, FBI National Academy graduate, and CALEA accreditation leader, Joe challenges the compliance-only mindset and reframes accreditation as a strategic accelerator for organizational excellence, risk reduction, and cultural improvement. This conversation goes beyond standards and checklists to examine leadership mindset, liability mitigation, and how accreditation can strengthen public trust and operational legitimacy across public safety disciplines.

    50 min
  3. BTC - Episode 18 - Dr Kimberly Miller

    11/07/2025

    BTC - Episode 18 - Dr Kimberly Miller

    Beyond the Checklist: Wellness That Works with Dr. Kimberly Miller (Part 3) In this powerful third episode of our four-part series, host Kevin Rhea sits down once again with Dr. Kimberly Miller to tackle one of the most pervasive challenges in public safety and compliance work—burnout. High performers often drive the success of their organizations—but they’re also the ones most at risk of exhaustion, disengagement, and even despair. Dr. Miller explores why burnout isn’t just about external pressure but also the internal stories we tell ourselves about rest, productivity, and purpose. Together, Kevin and Dr. Miller explore how to establish genuine boundaries, model wellness as leaders, and support the individuals behind the process—not just the programs. This episode is raw, honest, and for anyone working in high-stakes, high-stress environments. Whether you’re managing accreditation, leading a team, or simply trying to find balance, this conversation offers practical insight into creating wellness that actually works—not just another checkbox.

    56 min
  4. BTC - Episode 17 - Nancy Lundy

    10/31/2025

    BTC - Episode 17 - Nancy Lundy

    From Hurricanes to Leadership—The South Carolina Story 🌪️➡️👩‍💼 In this inspiring episode, host Kevin Rhea heads to the Palmetto State to spotlight one of the most active and collaborative accreditation coalitions in the nation—the South Carolina Police Accreditation Coalition (PAC). Kevin sits down with Nancy Lundy, a longtime accreditation leader who turned a chance encounter during a hurricane response into a lifelong commitment to helping agencies thrive through accreditation. Nancy shares how South Carolina’s community of accreditation managers has grown into a powerful support network that trains, mentors, and uplifts agencies across the state—proving that accreditation is far more than paperwork. It’s a culture of accountability, learning, and leadership. 🌪️ A Hurricane and a Calling: How a natural disaster sparked Nancy’s passion for accreditation. 🧩 Accreditation as Care: Why compliance is really about caring for people—not just checking boxes. 🤝 Coalition Culture: How South Carolina’s PAC has built a mentoring network of 84 agencies strong. 🧭 From Process to Purpose: How PAC training, one-on-one mentorship, and peer collaboration drive real change. 🏛️ Statewide Impact: The effect of new legislation requiring compliance with nine state standards—and how accreditation helps agencies go further. 💬 Leadership Lessons: The role of accreditation managers as emerging leaders and culture shapers within their organizations. 💡 Admitting Mistakes: Why transparency and accountability are central to professional policing. 🔗 Technology and the Future: The balance between AI and human insight in maintaining accreditation integrity.

    47 min
  5. BTC - Episode 16 - Dr. Sonya Johnson

    10/24/2025

    BTC - Episode 16 - Dr. Sonya Johnson

    Welcome back to Beyond the Checklist, the official podcast of the National Association for Accreditation Leadership — where we explore how accreditation drives reform, trust, and excellence in public safety. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sonya Johnson from the Savannah Police Department — a dynamic leader and expert in organizational culture, higher education, and accreditation. Together, we dive into the power of culture and accountability, how accreditation can be re-imagined as a tool for continuous improvement, and why leadership’s “why” behind accreditation makes all the difference. Dr. Johnson shares incredible insights on aligning citizen-centric service with internal accountability, building organizational buy-in, and transforming accreditation from a checkbox exercise into a cornerstone of professional excellence. Stay tuned — this conversation will challenge the way you think about culture, compliance, and the true purpose of accreditation in public safety.

    52 min
  6. BTC - Episode 15 - Dr. Kimberly Miller - Part 2

    10/17/2025

    BTC - Episode 15 - Dr. Kimberly Miller - Part 2

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Kimberly Miller, we dive into the art and challenge of having the hard conversations that leaders often avoid. From confronting toxic behaviors and burnout to delivering uncomfortable feedback across your organization, Dr. Miller provides practical insights for turning difficult discussions into meaningful opportunities for growth and culture change. Join us as we explore: Why leaders shy away from hard conversations and the ripple effects on culture, retention, and hiring How self-awareness, humility, and self-care strengthen a leader’s ability to confront organizational challenges Strategies for communicating tough messages across the chain of command without creating resistance Turning courageous dialogue into lasting cultural transformation If you’re a leader committed to building trust, accountability, and a culture that truly reflects your mission and values, this episode is for you.

    1h 5m
  7. BTC - Episode 14 - Lonnie Lemons & David Taylor

    10/10/2025

    BTC - Episode 14 - Lonnie Lemons & David Taylor

    In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, host Kevin Rhea sits down with two legends in the world of accreditation and corrections — Lonnie Lemons and David Taylor. Together, they share over 60 years of experience in law enforcement, corrections, and accreditation leadership. From developing national standards and leading accreditation boards to training the next generation of public safety professionals, Lonnie and David have dedicated their careers to building safer, more effective organizations. Tune in as we explore: Why accreditation is about excellence, not just compliance Lessons in leadership, culture, and teamwork from decades in the field The evolution of accreditation and where it’s headed next If you’re a public safety professional, accreditation manager, or anyone passionate about organizational excellence — this conversation is for you.

    58 min
  8. BTC - Episode 13 - Halcyon Frank

    10/03/2025

    BTC - Episode 13 - Halcyon Frank

    In this episode, we sit down with Halcyon from Under the Headset, a leader in public safety training who is redefining how agencies approach learning and development. Halcyon shares her journey into public safety, what inspired her to launch Under the Headset, and why she believes training must go beyond policies and checklists to truly connect with people. As she prepares to join NAAL on October 9th for an exclusive complacency training session, Halcyon unpacks what complacency looks like in dispatch centers and public safety environments, why it poses real dangers, and how small shifts in mindset can make a big difference. We also dive into her people-centered training philosophy, practical ways agencies can fight complacency, and the role of strong training in driving accreditation and organizational excellence. Along the way, Halcyon reflects on lightbulb moments from her trainings, the most rewarding parts of her journey, and the advice she’d give her younger self starting out in public safety. If you want to understand why training matters, how to reimagine it in your own agency, and what to expect from NAAL’s upcoming October 9th session, this conversation is for you.

    35 min
See All (20)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Beyond the Checklist is the go-to podcast for public safety professionals, leaders, and accreditation experts dedicated to driving excellence in public safety organizations. Each episode dives into the practical aspects of the accreditation process, showcasing real-world success stories, challenges, and strategies that help agencies meet and exceed best practice standards. With interviews from top accreditation leaders, public safety officers, and industry experts, this show brings to light the actionable steps that agencies can take to earn and maintain accreditation and community trust.

Information

  • Creator
    National Association for Accreditation Leadership
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © National Association for Accreditation Leadership
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Checklist