Former APD Commander and CEO of Black Onyx Investigations Urges Everyday Action to Rebuild Confidence in Law Enforcement and Private Security

AUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / August 13, 2025 / With nearly two decades in public safety and now leading in the private security sector, Wade Lyons, CEO of Black Onyx Investigations, LLC, is speaking out about the urgent need for stronger trust between communities and those who serve them. Drawing from his experience as a former Training Division Commander at the Austin Police Department (APD), Lyons is encouraging individuals, leaders, and organizations to play an active role in shaping more accountable and people-centered safety systems.

"Trust isn't handed out with a badge or a business card. It's earned, step by step, through service and transparency," said Lyons. "Whether you're in uniform or not, if you're in a role of protection, people need to know you're there for them, not just the paycheck."

A Crisis of Confidence in Safety Institutions

Public trust in law enforcement has dropped sharply over the last decade. According to Gallup, only 43% of Americans say they have a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the police-down from 58% in 2016. In communities of color, that number is even lower.

Lyons sees this gap as both a warning and an opportunity.

"This isn't about blame-it's about rebuilding. We have a chance right now to do better, together."

Leading by Example in Public and Private Security

Lyons' message comes with real-world credibility. After serving in Patrol, Narcotics, Investigations, and eventually overseeing training for over 2,300 personnel at APD, he founded Black Onyx Investigations in 2024. His company, now expanding into Executive Protection, focuses on bringing professional standards, strong ethics, and high-quality training into the private sector.

"Private security is growing fast, but it can't become the wild west. We need standards. We need service. That's the only way to keep people safe and respected."

The U.S. private security industry now employs over 1.1 million people, more than all public law enforcement officers combined. As that gap widens, Lyons believes the responsibility to build trust grows too.

Community Engagement is Everyone's Job

Lyons emphasizes that fixing the problem isn't just up to police departments or security firms.

"You don't have to be a cop or a CEO to lead. If you live in a neighborhood, you've got a stake in how safe and connected it feels. Ask questions. Volunteer. Get involved."

He says the biggest lesson from his career-from street patrols to leading at Harvard's Senior Executives program-is simple: listen more than you speak and lead by showing up.

A Call to Action: Build Trust Where You Are

Wade Lyons encourages residents, business owners, and local leaders to take small, consistent steps to improve safety and build connections:

• Host a neighborhood safety meeting and invite both police and private security personnel.

• Mentor a young person interested in public service or criminal justice.

• Volunteer for a local youth, mental health, or reentry program to support prevention, not just enforcement.

• Educate yourself on both public and private security -and how they're funded.

• Hold all protectors accountable, whether in uniform or in plain clothes.

"Leadership starts on your block. It starts with asking, ‘What can I do to make this place better?' Then doing it."

About Wade Lyons

Wade Lyons is the Chief Executive Officer of Black Onyx Investigations, LLC and a former Commander of the Training Division at the Austin Police Department. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and Lamar University, and an alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School's Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. Lyons is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Media Contact:

Email: press@blackonyxsecure.com
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TAKE ACTION: BE PRESENT, BUILD TRUST, PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY.

SOURCE: Wade Lyons