Law Enforcement Leadership, Trust, and the Difference Between Managing & Leading with Tony Callisto

In this episode of Bad Bosses: The Podcast, Joe Carfi sits down with Tony Callisto, former Chief Deputy of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department, to begin a new series on leadership in law enforcement. Tony reflects on a career that started at just 15 years old through the Solvay Police Explorers program and eventually spanned four decades across law enforcement, public safety, training, consulting, and leadership. Together, Joe and Tony discuss how promotions work in law enforcement, the strengths and challenges of the civil service system, and why leadership in public safety requires much more than a title. From the importance of mentorship and accountability to building trust with officers, political leaders, and the community, Tony breaks down what makes a strong law enforcement leader in today’s world. He also shares lessons learned from both good and bad bosses, including the importance of humility, communication, relationship-building, and giving people the opportunity to grow. This conversation is a thoughtful look at what leadership really means when the stakes are high, the community is watching, and the job is more than a career. As Tony puts it, law enforcement and first responder work is not just a job. It is a vocation.