Advancing Public Trust and Officer Morale
A Blueprint for Change Toward True Community Policing
For today’s police executives, leadership means far more than managing daily operations or tracking crime statistics. Effective leadership demands a strategic vision, an ability to anticipate and respond to evolving societal expectations, and the courage to proactively address the most complex challenges facing communities. Nowhere is this more critical—or more consequential—than in the response to sexual assault, which stands as both a deeply traumatic experience for survivors and a significant, often underrecognized driver of violent crime.
Sexual assault remains vastly underreported; presents unique investigative and prosecutorial challenges; and leaves profound, long-term impacts on victims and public safety.1 Research shows that sexual violence constitutes a substantial proportion of overall violent crime and that repeat offenders frequently escalate to or from other violent acts.2 Despite this, sexual assault has historically received less focused attention and fewer resources than other violent crimes such as homicide or aggravated assault—a gap that has undermined case outcomes, eroded survivor trust, and left communities less safe.3
A reactive posture in sexual assault response carries profound and lasting consequences, not only for survivors, but for the integrity and reputation of police agencies and for the broader fight to reduce violent crime. The recent experience of the Austin, Texas, Police Department (APD) stands as a powerful case study, a stark reminder of the dangers of inaction, and a compelling blueprint for what is possible when agencies embrace survivor-centered reform. APD’s transformation offers critical lessons for leaders who are ready to lead before crisis strikes.4
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