ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Alexandria Police Department (APD) hosted senior leadership from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) yesterday for an international professional exchange focused on leadership, ethics, and building public trust in policing organizations.

Chief Tarrick McGuire and members of APD’s Executive Command Staff were joined by the City’s Chief Human Resource Officer for a discussion with Assistant Commissioner Virginia Nelson of the Queensland Police Service and Commander Andrew Donoghoe and Detective Superintendent Matthew Ciantar of the Australian Federal Police.

Assistant Commissioner Nelson, a Churchill Fellow, is conducting an international study titled “Crises of Trust in Policing Organizations, Leadership and Change.” Her work examines how law enforcement leaders can foster ethical culture, address systemic challenges, and strengthen public confidence. The fellowship has taken her to agencies across the United States to learn from departments advancing transparency, accountability, and community collaboration.

The Australian delegation sought out the Alexandria Police Department to learn about its progress in improving public trust, implementing data-informed crime reduction strategies, and fostering a culture of ethical and transparent leadership. The AFP and QPS leaders were particularly interested in understanding how APD operates and aligns strategy, accountability, and communication across divisions to achieve both safety and community confidence.

“The Alexandria Police Department is proud to engage in thoughtful exchanges that contribute to learning and improvement across the profession,” said Chief Tarrick McGuire. “We appreciate the opportunity to share our journey and learn from others equally committed to integrity and public trust.”

The discussion centered on lessons learned from both nations’ experiences in addressing internal culture, leadership accountability, and community partnerships.

Assistant Commissioner Nelson, who leads the Ethical Standards Command within the Queensland Police Service and brings more than 34 years of experience across rural, regional, and metropolitan Queensland, expressed appreciation for the Department’s openness and commitment to continuous learning.

“Our profession demands a constant commitment to learning, because the challenges we face evolve every day. True policing excellence comes from embracing inclusivity — listening to every voice within our ranks and the communities we serve, and above all, we must hold ourselves accountable, so our integrity always matches the authority we’re entrusted with. Our exchange reinforced the importance of an ethical culture, transparency, and accountability in modern policing. The dialogue with Alexandria PD will be instrumental in shaping this study, and we’re grateful for their partnership and for the opportunity to learn from their journey while sharing.”

Commander Donoghoe, who is the Australian Federal Police lead in the Americas and has over thirty years’ experience, serving across numerous states in Australia in multiple countries around the world, expressed his thanks to the Alexandria PD Team. “The Alexandria PD exemplifies the kind of leadership and community engagement that builds lasting trust. Strong global partnerships are the foundation of modern policing — no agency can keep communities safe alone. By working together across borders and holding both our officers and our leaders to the highest standards, we build the trust and integrity that true public safety depends on. The leadership and partnership shown by Alexandria is second to none. We are committed to continuing our work together to ensure our communities have the highest levels of service.”

As a learning and leading organization, the Alexandria Police Department regularly participates in peer-to-peer exchanges with national and international law enforcement partners. These collaborations help identify innovative practices, strengthen professional standards, and ensure that APD continues to evolve in ways that reflect the values and expectations of the community it serves.