|
November 29, 2025 How do police chiefs relax?
PERF members, Whenever I call a chief, I always ask, “Are you in the middle of something?” And the response really varies—it can be, Well, three people were just shot, or, I just lost an officer, or, The mayor wants to see me and I don’t know what it’s about, or, The newspaper is coming out with a story about our department, or, I have to work this weekend because we have a large demonstration, or countless other obligations. That is a chief’s life, and it really is a 24-hour job. I always wonder, “What do chiefs do to relax, reduce the stress, and ground themselves?” So I asked a number of police executives from various-sized agencies, including PERF’s board of directors, what they do to bring a little balance to their lives. Austin (TX) Police Chief Lisa Davis: When I’m not working, I’m joyfully overruled by five grandkids whose requests somehow turn every outing into a small financial crisis. I switch to Christmas music on November 1 and squeeze in some antiquing along the way. My family rolls their eyes at my pre-season holiday playlist, but I remind them that after a lifetime of late nights and tough calls, you learn to grab onto the light and the joy wherever you can find it, even if it arrives before anyone else is ready. Palm Springs (CA) Police Chief Andrew Mills: Like most chiefs, I often work seven days a week attending events and taking care of the troops. I love doing it, but I learned I really need something to put my mind in neutral for a short period of time. I discovered pickleball and, like many, it has become a passion. I get to work out, compete with people faster and younger, and have fun with community members outside of my job. Talking smack is the best part of my game. Milwaukee (WI) Police Chief Jeffrey Norman: Reading and restful sleep are the cornerstones of my daily routine. Great leaders are lifelong learners, so I make time to read books focused on self-improvement. Sleep is nature’s way of restoring our minds and renewing our bodies, so maintaining a consistent sleep schedule ensures I am resilient, ready, and energized to meet the challenges of the day. Nantucket (MA) Police Chief Jody Kasper: One of the fortunate things about serving as the police chief in the island community of Nantucket is the unique ways we unwind. Fall brings scalloping season, and my favorite weekend ritual is pulling on a wetsuit, jumping into the Atlantic, and diving for bay scallops. Green Bay (WI) Police Chief Chris Davis: We live on 10 acres of mostly woods, and we’ve embarked on a long-term project to restore the native hardwood and pine trees to the land, so I spend a lot of my off time working with trees. In the woods, nothing is in a hurry! Philadelphia (PA) Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel: I relax by getting on my bike and enjoying long rides that clear my mind and help me reset. I find peace in simply walking, taking in my surroundings, and giving myself space to think. Most of all, I recharge by spending meaningful time with my family, which keeps me grounded. Eau Claire (WI) Police Chief Matt Rokus: I have found physical fitness to be the best way for me to manage stressors. I have a friend group that meets each morning to work out. The benefits of the camaraderie and exercise are great. I have also found that accomplishing something that is hard to do provides clarity and prepares me for the day ahead. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly: I like reading Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (stoic philosophy). I also enjoy spending time in nature—hiking, hunting, getting out on the water, or just sitting among the trees! Baltimore (MD) Police Commissioner Richard Worley: I love playing baseball. I play in three men’s adult fast-pitch, wooden-bat baseball leagues. The most competitive is the over-30 league; the other two are over-40 and over-45. I usually play in one to three games a week from April to August, then one game a week until we go to Florida in November for a week-long tournament. We go to Fort Myers, Florida, twice a year for tournaments in March and November. It’s a great stress reliever, because no one cares that I’m the police commissioner. I’m just one of the guys. Most importantly, I get to hang out with some great friends and have a good time. We joke around and make fun of each other. Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris: Every police executive struggles with managing the demands of the profession and family. No matter how hard you work at maintaining a balance, the operational environment and inherent demands create a strain on family time. For me, our two boys playing football represents something sacred. Their games are events that, thus far, I have not missed. The memories of the games cannot be recreated. My family has made sacrifices along with me to serve in this role. Sometimes you have to choose quality over quantity family time. Camden County (NJ) Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez: What has worked best for me is cooking. Time at the grill or in the kitchen allows me to shut out all the noise and create something that, in my opinion, can only be done by me. Cooking with some jazz music in the background and a good glass of red wine from time to time is how I decompress. I’m not saying the food is great, but it’s something I enjoy. It’s my calm after the daily chaos. Fort Walton Beach (FL) Police Chief Robert Bage: My escape is being out on the water. I’m better at fishing than catching, but every moment on a boat resets my mind. The quiet, the breeze, and the open water help me recharge after the demands of policing. Atlanta (GA) Police Chief Darin Schierbaum: Mass on Sunday is my time to detach from the demands of the job, focus on faith, and receive encouragement for the week ahead. Reading is my second retreat. I always have a non–law enforcement related book, normally one on history, that I am working my way through. Not only is reading a good distraction, there is almost always a leadership or perseverance lesson I find that is helpful to a chief of police. Sacramento (CA) Police Chief Kathy Lester: For me, it’s being outside. And outside to me means fly-fishing—hiking, wading, packing a sandwich, and just being out there all day. If I catch some fish, great. If not, it’s still a good day and a time to quiet the mind and just take it all in. I am never more myself than standing in the middle of a great western freestone river or wading through a teeny little Sierra creek, enjoying all that nature holds. That’s what all of us need—just a little space to breathe and be in our own head. Boston (MA) Police Commissioner Michael Cox: I have a daily routine of sitting in my sauna and listening to relaxing music, or music from an era when I was younger (a period of no stress). I find this helps me reset and forget most of the issues from that day.
Cary (NC) Police Chief Terry Sult: I recharge by spending time with my granddaughter, enjoying 4WD off-road and rock-crawling rallies with my son, and the occasional wild hog hunt. I also treasure quiet time with my wife. Family and a little adrenaline help me reset and keep perspective.
Alexandria (VA) Police Chief Tarrick McGuire: As a police chief, you’re often recognized and approached in public whether you’re on duty or off duty, but there are still moments when you can mentally disengage. To relax, I put on discreet clothing and take a late-night walk or jog through the city, giving myself time to reflect on the day and clear my mind. Middlesex County (MA) Sheriff Peter Koutoujian: I’m a competitive tennis player, having played in college and in regional and national tournaments. Tennis helps me manage stress through physical exertion and lively matches. What I enjoy most is the camaraderie—banter, jokes, and especially the trash talking—that makes every match not just competitive but genuinely fun and rewarding. 
Metropolitan Nashville (TN) Police Chief John Drake: I practice guitar and take lessons. I am also considering voice lessons. I play and practice golf, so I am not focused solely on work. I am passionate about cooking. I also take a weekend about every six to eight weeks to go to a beach town or the mountains. Minneapolis (MN) Police Chief Brian O’Hara: I enjoy going to the gym in the morning before work. I look forward to the times I can be with my family, play catch with my sons, and go to games with them. This Thanksgiving I am especially looking forward to being home. I have a lot to be thankful for and am grateful for all I have been given. 
St. Louis (MO) Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Tracy: I play in an over-40 basketball league and try to scrimmage as much as time allows. Police chief is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle, and your family becomes part of it. Include them in community activities, such as parades and other weekend events. Embrace the opportunity in life to lead, but sharing with family will help take the stress off and allow them to be part of this journey in our noble profession! Dallas Area Rapid Transit (TX) Police Chief Charles Cato: I am a grandfather of three—a 7-year-old girl, an 18-month-old girl, and a 1-year-old boy. When I get home and take off the uniform, I become Papa, not Chief. I play with them on the floor, give piggie-back rides, and play tag and hide-and-seek. I forget all about the stresses of the day. Nothing is more relaxing than spending time with my grandbabies. They remind me of why I serve: to provide a future for the next generation. Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) Police Chief Johnny Jennings: For me, fishing is a hobby that takes me away from the job and allows me to decompress. Even if I don’t catch anything, I enjoy being on the water. And I enjoy the challenge of bringing in a lunker! Saco (ME) Police Chief Jack Clements: I, like many others, find time for family, fitness, and anything else that is “my time.” But one thing I think about at work when things get stressful is finding a way to laugh. The job is serious, difficult, and challenging, so my relief is finding something to laugh about. Humor can always make you feel better, even if it is just for a minute. 
Charleston (SC) Police Chief Chito Walker: It doesn’t hurt living in arguably one of the most beautiful cities on the East Coast to ease the day-to-day life of policing. When I’m away from the office, I spend all my time with my family simply enjoying home, Charleston, and the Lowcountry lifestyle—food, festivals, downtown, and the beaches. Saint Paul (MN) Police Chief Axel Henry: As a friendly reminder to those in our profession who serve our communities in a selfless manner,as you bring forward your leadership in service, never forget that you need to lead yourself too. Start your day at the gym, with meditation, by walking the dog, or doing any other activity to support your relationship with yourself. If you set your alarm a little earlier and engage in this practice, you will know that each day you have not only led others—you have also been a good leader to yourself. So here are my takeaways—policing is a stressful occupation. The boundary between a police leader’s work life and their personal life frequently disappears. Chiefs stay grounded by carving out activities and time to catch their breath in what can often be a very emotionally draining day. Maybe it is exercising in the early morning to put yesterday’s stress in perspective. Or going fishing, playing sports with friends, cooking, listening to music, or watching grandkids grow up. Like Saint Paul Chief Axel Henry said, “As a friendly reminder to those in our profession who serve our communities in a selfless manner . . . never forget that you need to lead yourself too.” Thanks everyone who shared their thoughts. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and thanks for all you do for us! Best, Chuck |
Monterey (CA) Police Chief David Hober: I start every day affirming how lucky I am to have a great family and good health. My wife and I work out three days a week, we ensure we have at least two vacations a year with our adult kids, and most importantly, we have dogs.