Wade Lyons is a security professional and business leader with nearly two decades of experience in public safety. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Black Onyx Investigations, a company focused on background investigations, private security and executive protection services.
He began his career with the Austin Police Department in 2006. Over the next 17 years he took on a variety of assignments including patrol, investigations and strategic intelligence. He later became a police commander, where he led both operational units and the department’s training and recruiting division.
In this role, he oversaw programs that supported more than 2,000 officers and civilian personnel. He led large teams, developed training systems and helped modernize recruiting efforts. His responsibilities included improving hiring standards and expanding social engagement in the training process.
Wade Lyons is known for his structured leadership approach. His focus is on clear processes, strong accountability and practical decision making. His experience reviewing critical incidents and leading large teams shaped his approach to risk and performance.
In 2024, he moved into the private sector and founded Black Onyx Investigations. The company helps organizations with hiring decisions, risk assessments and security planning. His work now focuses on helping clients reduce burden and make informed decisions.
He has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing an MBA. His background in law enforcement continues to influence his work in private security.
Q: You began your career in law enforcement. What brought you into this field?
I grew up in Houston and originally planned to go to medical school. During my last semester at Texas A&M, I participated in a ride-along with a police officer. This experience changed everything. I saw in real time the influence officers can have on people. Shortly after graduating, I applied to the City of Austin and began my career there.
Q: What were your first few years with the Austin Police Department like?
I started in the patrol, that’s where you really learn the job. They respond to thousands of calls and see every type of situation. It builds your judgment. I later moved into investigations, working on violent crime and narcotics cases. During this time I learned to manage information, interview people and build cases step by step.
Q: You later took on leadership positions. How did this transition come about?
I was promoted through the ranks into supervisory and managerial positions. As a sergeant and lieutenant, I led teams and took care of operational planning. Eventually I became a police commander. I managed the divisional operations and later the training and recruiting department. This role involved managing over 100 staff and supporting the development of more than 2,000 officers and staff.
Q: What stands out from your time leading training and recruiting?
We had to rethink the way we trained officers. One example was moving away from long lessons and introducing scenario-based training. I remember watching an officer on a simulated call where communication was the difference between escalation and resolution. This moment highlighted the importance of realistic training.
Q: Recruitment has been a major challenge for many departments. What did you learn from this experience?
Recruiting is not just about numbers. It’s about choosing the right people. I have checked many background investigations. A candidate had good test scores but demonstrated a pattern of dishonesty in previous jobs. That disqualified him. Integrity cannot be trained. This lesson stuck with me.
Q: What made you decide to leave public service and start your own business?
After 17 years, I wanted to apply what I had learned in a different environment. I saw a gap in the way companies manage risk, particularly in hiring and internal investigations. In 2024, I founded Black Onyx Investigations to focus on these areas.
Q: What does your work look like now?
The majority of our work involves background investigations and security advice. We help organizations review candidate information and assess potential risks. Each case follows a structured process. We define the scope, collect and review information, and produce a clear report.
Q: How does your background in law enforcement influence your approach to business?
In police work you are subject to strict procedures. You document everything and base your decisions on evidence. I use the same approach in my company. Customers need clear and accurate information. This allows them to make informed decisions.
Q: What problems do customers most often come to you with?
Hiring risk is a big risk. Organizations want to know if a candidate’s background matches the role. We also see cases involving internal concerns where companies require a structured review of a situation.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you see your work evolving?
I expect continued growth in private investigations and executive protection. Organizations are paying more attention to risk management. My focus is on building systems that maintain quality as we expand.
