Lessons from a Dallas Assistant Chief of Police on Wellness, Leadership, and Change
- Growing up in South Texas, son of hay farmers
- Family’s deep roots in Texas and service-oriented background
Podcast
Overview
In this compelling conversation, retired Dallas PD Assistant Chief Reuben Ramirez opens up about his life, career journey, and the critical need for mental health solutions in law enforcement. Whether you’re interested in leadership, police culture, wellness innovation, or personal stories of resilience, this episode has it all. Here’s a breakdown for you—complete with key questions and timestamps for exploring further!
00:00:09- Who Is Reuben Ramirez?
- Growing up in South Texas, son of hay farmers
- Family’s deep roots in Texas and service-oriented background
- Transition from farming to pursuing a career in public service
- Sibling careers: brother (retired Air Force colonel), sister (junior high English teacher)
- Personal background: raising two sons and reflections on parenthood
00:06:50- What Drove Reuben’s Educational Path?
- Bachelor’s in Applied Science and Master’s in Humanities
- Importance of a broad, interdisciplinary perspective
- How curiosity and empathy shaped his policing approach
- The value of understanding root causes of behavior as a police leader
00:09:22- How Did Reuben’s Law Enforcement Career Begin and Evolve?
- Attending a Dallas PD job fair with friends in college
- Rigorous police academy experience: challenges and lessons
- First assignment and early influences in Dallas
- Style: questioning traditional “command presence” and emphasizing active listening
- Progression to specialized roles: violent crime task forces, undercover work, legislative liaison
- Becoming a member of the executive command staff
00:19:23- What Challenges Do Police Officers Face With Trauma and Wellness?
- First-hand experiences with trauma, fear, and emotional struggles
- Observations from internal affairs cases and the impact of secondary trauma
- Need for open discussion about vulnerability and mental health
- How the lack of mental wellness support leads to career pivots, substance issues, and burnout
00:24:47- How Is Reuben Driving Change With Wellness Solutions?
- Creation of the “Checkpoints” program at Dallas PD
- Joining Versaterm as Ambassador of Wellness
- Implementation of Mindbase technology to track cumulative trauma officers face
- Why tracking exposure to trauma matters for police leadership and mental wellness
- Future of emotional health strategies: combining human-led interventions with tech solutions
- Advocacy for building scalable wellness models—helping retention, recruitment, culture, and community trust
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Reuben Ramirez: Linkedin
Enjoyed this podcast?
If you learned new insights about Reuben studied humanities & applied sciences, but his curiosity drove him: “I didn’t want to just know criminal justice… I wanted a broader scope.” This open mind set him apart in law enforcement, and share them with friends!
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Profile
- Growing up in South Texas, son of hay farmers
- Family’s deep roots in Texas and service-oriented background
- Transition from farming to pursuing a career in public service
- Sibling careers: brother (retired Air Force colonel), sister (junior high English teacher)
- Personal background: raising two sons and reflections on parenthood
