Doug Shoemaker

Doug Shoemaker is a lifelong learner, educator, and public-safety leader with 33 years of experience developing people, organizations, and future leaders. A former Chief of Police in Denton, Texas and Grand Junction, Colorado, he spent most of his career in Jefferson City, Missouri serving in a variety of policing functions and rising to the #2 position in the department. He rose to serve as the elected Fifth, Fourth, and Third Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police prior to his retirement and continues to influence the profession through national leadership and advisory roles. He currently serves as the Committee Chair of the IACP's Human and Civil Rights Committee and is an ambassador for the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. Deeply passionate about teaching, Doug has spent years as an adjunct instructor with Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, Central Methodist University, and Colorado Mesa University, where he is known for empowering students to think critically, challenge assumptions, and grow into confident thought leaders grounded in values and purpose. He is a founding member and current Interim Executive Director of The Curve, a collaborative initiative co-created with Simon Sinek to reimagine police leadership development and organizational culture. With academic training spanning English literature, criminal justice, psychology, and organizational leadership, Doug brings a scholar-practitioner mindset to every classroom and conversation, inspiring future leaders to embrace continuous learning, lead with intention, and shape healthier cultures wherever they serve.