It is hard to believe it is October already. It seems like just yesterday that we were in Denver and I was sharing my vision for this year as your president.

This year has been an honor, and I am absolutely humbled to have had the opportunity to serve you. I have traveled the globe and engaged members throughout the world. From the inaugural Global Executive Leadership Symposium (GELS) in Banff, Canada, to the 20th anniversary of Pearls in Policing in The Hague, Netherlands, to vital meetings with leaders in Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, as well as engagements with Ameripol, Aseanapol, Europol, INTERPOL, and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, to participating in the March of the Living in Krakow, Poland, we have built international connections and friendships that will last a lifetime while advancing the mission and vision of the IACP around the world. Along the way, I have had the privilege of connecting with current and prospective members, sharing the value of our association, and welcoming new members into the IACP.

I also had the opportunity to attend state and regional association conferences across the United States, listening to our members, learning from their experiences, and sharing ideas on the issues shaping the future of policing.

A special highlight this year was being able to recognize our friend and an amazing leader in policing, Chief Arturo Pereira, from Ponferrada, Spain, whose agency is the first international police agency to complete the IACP Trust Building Initiative.

I believe our greatest accomplishment came early in the year during a volatile moment in the United States. With the national focus on addressing the critical immigration challenges, we experienced a sentinel moment in federal, state, and local cooperation. After a few high-profile incidents, the United States was at a breaking point. Frankly, the world was watching and waiting to see what was going to happen next. During that time, the IACP stepped forward to help create a path for dialogue and collaboration. We brought together 19 organizations representing law enforcement, prosecutors, and elected officials for a facilitated discussion focused on common goals and shared responsibilities.

While there was not agreement on every issue, there was consensus on the most important ones. Those conversations resulted in what became a path forward with the Shared Principles of Agreement that sparked meaningful discussions, forged new relationships and renewed partnerships, and continue to influence collaborative efforts today. More importantly, they demonstrated the vital role the IACP can play in bringing people together to tackle complex challenges facing our communities.

Just last month another significant accomplishment was realized. In the September edition of Police Chief magazine, we remembered the lives lost and the brave responders of the 9/11 tragedy, and we expressed the concerns about where we are with intelligence sharing. Shortly thereafter, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche had signed the order to reestablish the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council and the Global Advisory Committee. This has been a strategic priority for the IACP and many of our peers, and our Homeland Security Committee, Terrorism Committee, and the new Information and Intelligence Sharing Section played important roles in this effort.

We continued to be a voice on critical topics impacting safety. We provided expert testimony and policy guidance on topics ranging from drones to AI, firearms to fraud, and cryptocurrency to investigative technologies, including automated license plate readers.

The new IACP Headquarters at 3030 Potomac Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, opened in February 2026—a feat that was accomplished on time and under budget. The new space is something that will serve this association and our members well for years to come. It also shows the great value we place on our staff, who do the critical work of implementing the efforts of the association. They deserve to have space that is reflective of their value. It is a beautiful space!

We launched Module 1 of the Chiefs Leadership Certification Program, with Module 2 nearly completed, and Module 3 currently under development. This groundbreaking program is designed to provide current and aspiring chiefs with practical leadership development focused on the challenges facing today’s profession. By combining education on organizational leadership, strategic thinking, technology, wellness, and emerging issues, the program is helping build the next generation of policing leaders and strengthening our profession for years to come.

We introduced a new mobile app and the AI companion Chief Research and Information Specialist (CRIS). We also launched the Legislative Tracker.

We added a new key staff member who has become an absolute rock star, Kiwi. Kiwi is our therapy dog who is serving IACP staff and our members. She is a reminder of the power of creating a workplace that understands the importance of a healthy team. The smiles when she is around are proof of her impact.

I am encouraged by the momentum we have built and excited about what the future holds for our association.

Additionally, the IACP opened two new regional international offices, adding our European Office in Paris, France, and our South American Office in Brasilia, Brazil. This brings our international footprint to five offices outside of the United States, including Seoul, South Korea; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Toronto, Canada. Each of these offices provides support for our international regional chairs and for our members in these regions. It allows us to get insights into our profession from these regions so that we can support our members and their organizations across the globe. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to grow our membership and our reach as an international organization.

For the 13th year in a row, IACP membership continued to grow, reaching more than 35,250 members. This sustained growth reflects the strength of our profession, the value of our association, and the dedication of members who continue to engage, participate, and invite others to join the IACP community. While there is still opportunity for even more growth, I am encouraged by the momentum we have built and excited about what the future holds for our association.

Attendance at all of our conferences this year reached record highs. Our members are clearly embracing the value of convening by attending these informative and productive gatherings. Members have come together to access current and relevant world-class training, enhanced networking opportunities that open the doors to critical connections with peers, and exposure to the latest and greatest offerings from vendors.

I started this year with some areas of focus and a commitment to continue to push the Trust Initiative. Trust continues to be a stalwart goal that is imperative to success in our pursuits in policing. We continue to encourage agencies to embrace the IACP Trust Initiative. We have also begun the conversations on the important transition toward the need to focus on culture. I feel we have seen an excitement build in our profession to be better and do better. From the focus on what a commitment to safety and wellness truly means, to refocusing our efforts on intelligence and information sharing, to leading collaborative engagement on new technologies, to embracing academic research for evidence-based efforts, and to growing our membership, we have built momentum to make meaningful change and improve the safety of our communities. I feel we have conquered many of these challenges and created space for others to flourish.

My simple request at the start of this year was for our membership to “step up and step in”—to engage and make a difference. Based on our accomplishments, I feel like we have moved greatly in that direction. We have an excellent succession of leaders coming into the IACP presidency, each bringing with them varied and unique skills and backgrounds. I am excited to hear the vision of incoming President Will Johnson, and I remain ready to continue to serve when and where needed.

I am forever grateful for this opportunity and will cherish the memories for the rest of my time on this great earth. Thank you!d

Please cite as

David B. Rausch, “Year in Review: 2025–2026,” President’s Message, Police Chief 93, no. 10 (October 2026): 6–7.