Chief of Police

Sheryl D. Victorian, PhD

Chief Sheryl Victorian, a native Texan, has dedicated over 31 years to the police profession. After serving nearly 28 years with the Houston Police Department and promoting through the ranks to Assistant Chief, she was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the City of Waco Police Department on March 15, 2021.

Chief Victorian's academic achievements include earning a Doctorate of Philosophy in Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University (2013). Her dedication and service have earned her numerous awards and commendations, including the 2023 Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce “International Athena Leadership” and the 2023 Central Texas African American Chamber of Commerce “Public Servant of the Year” awards. She was also a finalist for the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives’ Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year (WoLEEY) award in April 2024.

Chief Victorian has participated in several nationally recognized police leadership programs, including the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy (FBINA), the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Leadership Inventory for Female Executives (LIFE), the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI), and Harvard University’s Leadership for a Networked World program.

Chief Sheryl Victorian is a visionary leader in policing, and she is celebrated for her ability to encourage, inspire, and motivate. Chief Victorian embraces authenticity, fostering self-confidence, and leading with purpose. Her dedication to relational policing emphasizes building trust, understanding, and collaboration within communities and among officers.