Former Austin Police Academy Commander urges communities to prioritize values-driven officer development through advocacy, dialogue, and accountability

AUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Wade Lyons, former Commander of the Austin Police Training Academy and current CEO of Black Onyx Investigations, is calling for stronger public support and awareness around how police officers are trained-starting with transparency, community input, and early investment in values-based education.

"Our communities are safer when our officers are better trained-not just in tactics, but in empathy, cultural awareness, and critical thinking," said Lyons. "If we want a different outcome, we have to change how we prepare officers from day one."

Lyons led the Austin Police Training Academy during one of its most pivotal moments. After community pressure prompted the city to pause cadet classes, he was tasked with leading the reform effort. Under his direction, the academy launched the Community Connect Program, designed to help cadets engage directly with Austin's diverse neighborhoods.

"It's one thing to say ‘protect and serve,'" Lyons said. "It's another to understand what those words mean to someone who's been ignored, profiled, or unheard."

A National Moment for Local Action

The urgency of Lyons' message is backed by data. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, nearly 80% of police departments in the U.S. conduct some form of training, yet fewer than half include modules on communication, racial bias, or mental health response.

A 2022 Pew Research Center survey found that 58% of Americans believe police use force more often than necessary. Lyons says those numbers reflect a system that teaches enforcement before understanding.

"We don't have a hiring problem-we have a training problem," he said. "We can't afford to keep recycling outdated models and expecting new results."

Lessons from Austin: What Reform Can Look Like

During Lyons' tenure:

• Female representation in cadet classes grew to 20%, with a goal of 30% by 2030.

• The academy hosted over 60 community events per year to build public trust.

• Outreach and recruitment were redesigned to reflect the communities officers serve.

• New cadets engaged in hands-on dialogue with leaders from historically underserved neighborhoods.

And perhaps most importantly, the academy tracked its outcomes-measuring community feedback, training performance, and policy alignment with national standards.

"This wasn't about being performative," Lyons said. "It was about building something sustainable that communities could trust."

From Public Sector to Private Mission

After 18 years in public service, Lyons now leads Black Onyx Investigations, which provides background investigations, private security consulting, and risk assessments. But his mission hasn't changed.

"I left government. I didn't leave the work," he said. "The same values still apply: transparency, accountability, and protecting people."

What You Can Do

Lyons believes meaningful change doesn't just come from inside departments-it comes from the outside in.

He urges everyday citizens, leaders, and educators to take these steps:

• Attend local training review boards or academy open houses.
  "If the public isn't watching, the status quo wins," Lyons said.

• Ask your local leaders what's being taught at your police academy.
  "Training sets the tone for every future decision."

• Advocate for community engagement to be part of every cadet's curriculum.
  "You can't build trust in a vacuum."

• Encourage diverse candidates to apply.
  "Representation in policing starts with the applicant pool," Lyons noted.

Lyons knows the conversation around policing can be heated-but he insists it's worth having.

"We can't keep talking about reform without doing the work," he said. "And the work starts at the academy."

For media inquiries or to learn more about Wade Lyons' advocacy and leadership work, visithttps://blackonyxinvestigations.com

Media Contact

Wade Lyons
https://www.wadelyons.com/
info@wadelyons.com

SOURCE: Wade Lyons