Episode 29: Meet Chief of Police Tracy Basterrechea, First-Generation Basque, Intrinsic Rewards over Extrinsic Recognition, Power of Communication

In this Getting to Know, Your Local LEO Episode, you will meet Chief Tracy Basterrechea, the Chief of Police at the Meridian Police Department, in Meridian, Idaho. He has been a member of the police department for almost 29 years, serving as chief over the last 4 plus.
In Part 1 of this 2-part episode, we talk about everyday life and lessons learned, as he shares with us his ancestorial history of being first generation Basque, including being a descendent of a Basque Strongman.
Plus, how growing up in a small-town of people who cared about other people’s successes, combined with a strong family work ethic, had a profound influence on him. However, before his journey into policing, he had other aspirations and state championships to win.
Check out what sport he won his state championships in, what he believes is your best tool, and how he prioritizes time for his son’s events, and how he advocates for intrinsic rewards over extrinsic recognition in personal development.
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Plus, check out our other episodes, as each week we share Your Positive Law Enforcement News Stories from across the globe, and in our "Getting to Know, Your Local LEO" episodes, we speak with members of the law enforcement community about everyday life and most things non-law enforcement.
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