Rebuilding Trust Starts with People, Not Policy
When I joined the LAPD more than three decades ago, we talked about being guardians of our communities. Over time, that mindset has shifted toward a more militarized “warrior” approach—one that can create distance instead of connection. The recent LAPD SWAT “Mafia” trial, covered in the Los Angeles Times, is one of the most visible examples of how this cultural divide can surface.
The truth is, 99 percent of the people in every community are good people. When officers step out of their cars, engage with kids, walk a neighborhood, or simply say hello, it matters. Those small, human acts build familiarity, trust, and a sense that we’re all on the same team.
As I often remind leaders:
“The ability of police to perform their duties depends upon the public’s acceptance of their actions.”
That acceptance comes from relationships built over days, months, and years, not empty rhetoric.
A Conversation on Police Culture with Radio Entrepreneurs
Recently, I joined Jeffrey Davis, host of Radio Entrepreneurs, for a conversation about leadership and trust in modern policing. The show spotlights entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators across industries sharing insights that help leaders grow, adapt, and make a lasting impact. It was an honor to bring the lessons of policing into that space and talk about how culture change, accountability, and empathy can reshape any organization.
🎙️ Watch our full discussion here: https://youtu.be/8XkcpgosO9s
From Warrior to Guardian
In this clip, I talk about how policing culture shifted and why it’s time to bring the focus back to connection. When officers see themselves as warriors, their instinct is to control. When they see themselves as guardians, their instinct is service. That shift changes everything—from tone and presence to community perception.
“We need to stop seeing communities as problems to control and start seeing them as partners to protect.”
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TKLGCs8TAD0
Changing Culture One Interaction at a Time
Policing at its best is community-building in motion. It’s not just about enforcing laws, it’s about engaging people. The most effective agencies create a culture where communication, emotional intelligence, and consistency are part of daily practice. Leadership has to model that. If it’s not taught, it won’t take root.
In this segment, I share how small, human moments often make the biggest difference. When officers smile, wave to a kid, or stop to talk with a resident, those gestures carry more weight than a thousand press releases.
They tell people: we see you, we’re part of this with you.
https://youtube.com/shorts/4PD5EZG-BKw?feature=share
The Path Forward: Culture Is the Core of Change
Culture change begins with a leadership hat that listens before it speaks and connects before it commands. In my new book, On Thin Ice, I explore how what most people call “police reform” (what I call reimagining policing) isn’t just about rewriting policies; it’s about reshaping identity.
To reimagine policing, we need to search for solutions in a way that invites participation rather than resistance from within. Officers need to see themselves as part of the change, not as its target. Too often, the language we use to describe change alienates those within the profession, turning a necessary conversation into an unwinnable battle. That’s why how we talk about change matters as much as the change itself.
Words carry weight, especially in law enforcement, where clarity and perception are critical. The term “police reform” can sometimes spark defensiveness instead of reflection, framing the profession as broken rather than evolving. The agencies that embrace this mindset will evolve to meet the needs of the people they serve.
THE BOTTOM LINE? If we want safer communities, we must start by being better partners.
Join the Conversation
Rebuilding trust starts one conversation at a time.
- What does real partnership between law enforcement and the community look like to you?
- Have you seen moments where listening, empathy, or simple human connection made the difference?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences below.
📘 Read On Thin Ice: An LAPD Veteran’s Journey to Reimagine Policing: https://jeffwenninger.com/book/
🌐To learn more about the mission behind On Thin Ice, check out my article here: Why I Wrote On Thin Ice: My Commitment to Law Enforcement.
🎙️ Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/8XkcpgosO9s
