Ryan Tillman is a current Police Officer for the Chino Police Department as well as the CEO and founder of Breaking Barriers United LLC (BBU).
Prior to Ryan’s career as a Police Officer, he was not a fan of Law Enforcement due to negative interactions with them as he was growing up. Called to the profession by God, Ryan began his professional career in 2013 by joining the Chino Police Department. Upon completing the Field Training Program, Ryan recognized the need for more transparency and dialogue between Law Enforcement and the community and therefore, created BBU.
Since its inception, Ryan has changed the perception of many citizens, as well as Police Officers, throughout the world. Ryan, recently promoted to Corporal, cherishes the time he spent as a School Resource Officer at Don Lugo High School. In regards to his business, Ryan speaks on a national level for both Law Enforcement and non-LE organizations.
He has created afterschool programs that train and teach students about the profession of Law Enforcement and Career Development and he also has a podcast called “ITSNEEDED” which is currently downloaded in over 47 countries. He hosts the “ITSNEEDED” conference, which brings law enforcement and city officials together for common goals. Currently Ryan is developing a program called “The United” which aims at recruiting and training the best future police officers. Ryan won’t cease his efforts until his goal of “Changing the face of modern-day policing” is completed. Ryan lives in Southern California with his beautiful wife and 3 children.
- “Re-discovering your why” – Ryan utilizes his personal experience and experiences as a police officer to tap into the “Why” behind what we do. Through storytelling, Ryan captivates his audience and inspires them to re-ignite the flame.
- Initiative Workshop – Designed to Bridge the Gap between Law Enforcement and the community through transparency and hands on scenarios.
- Power of Partnerships – It has become common practice to chase knowledge through education and is undoubtedly a great foundation to have; but sadly in doing so, we have neglected the value of true partnerships and real relationships. We focus on titles, followers, or status, while bypassing creating new authentic relationships. During this presentation, Ryan challenges his audience to see beyond the status quo and revisit what it truly means to foster new partnerships and stimulate change.
- Change Agent Workshop – Encourages his audience to affect change in their business, home, school and society. Ryan provides tangible tools to help his audience adapt, overcome, and stimulate lasting change.
- Anti-Bullying Workshop – Promotes positive self-awareness and provides students with ways to prevent and de-escalate bullying situations.
- Diversity Workshop – Focused on bringing people together from different backgrounds and finding common ground to work together on a united front as one team.
- Explaining the Why – Throughout the years, we have developed this mantra in Law Enforcement, “you do something because I tell you to do it” mentality. As true as it may be, it’s also true that this mentality comes with a lot of headaches due to the complaints that arise from it. Ryan will discuss the importance of “Explaining the Why” as an officer which will help alleviate frivolous complaints and reduce the odds of having to use force on people.
- The Importance of Shifting Perception – Ryan’s career in BBU started with his desire to change the perception of how the community views law enforcement. During this workshop Ryan will touch on the importance of being intentional through every contact we have with members of the community and to help them shift their perception of law enforcement. Whether we realize it or not, shifting perception is a very important pillar of bridging the gap; therefore, Ryan will share his tips, tricks and best practices in order to accomplish this.
- Building Relationships Within the Community – There is an old saying, “You have to get to know the community before you have to know the community.” Ryan Prides himself on this philosophy. If we are not actively engaged in trying to improve our relationships with members of the community, then we are taking steps backwards. Ryan will discuss this subject in efforts of improving their personal practices of their daily job function.
Chino police officer embraces being a ‘change maker’ full-time
Officer Ryan Tillman is on a mission to change modern day policing
A black police officer’s 2-front battle amid a civil rights movement in America
“Ryan shared the Breaking Barriers philosophy with CJUHSD Campus Officers during their annual training in August 2022. Ryan has a masterful ability to inspire others and his presentation helped campus officers appreciate the magnitude of their impact on the students they serve. The philosophies and analogies Ryan shared truly resonated with campus officers and continue to inspire them to “be the coffee bean”, which Ryan analogizes to a coffee beans’ positive impact on boiling water, which is to turn the water into coffee. Ryan truly understands the meaning of Breaking Barriers and of being mindful of the influence we have on others.”
Rob McCoy
CJUHSD DIRECTOR OF
SAFETY & CAMPUS OFFICERS
“You visited my school a while back and it helped me more than you think. Sir, you are changing the world and what you chose to put your time and money into has changed and saved the lives of many students. I have had a horrific past 2 years and knowing that a stranger has gone through the same pain is making a difference. You are using your pain as a gift and using it to change the community of cop-hating youth. Thank you for everything.”
Sam
STUDENT