This study explores the critical role of ethical leadership within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and its influence on building and sustaining trust between the police and the diverse communities they serve. It aims to identify leadership practices that enhance legitimacy and public confidence while addressing the challenges impeding ethical conduct. Despite policy frameworks emphasizing accountability and ethical policing, SAPS continues to face significant public trust deficits, driven largely by perceived leadership failures, corruption, and misconduct. This eroded trust undermines effective policing and community cooperation, posing risks to social stability and democratic governance. The research reveals that ethical leadership characterized by transparency, accountability, integrity, and community engagements central to restoring trust. However, gaps exist between ethical standards and actual leadership behavior within SAPS. Furthermore, inadequate training, weak disciplinary mechanisms, and limited community involvement hinder ethical leadership’s effectiveness. This study contributes to the discourse on police reform by highlighting ethical leadership as a foundational pillar for improving police-community relations in South Africa. It integrates perspectives from recent literature and empirical insights to offer practical recommendations for leadership development, policy enhancement, and multistakeholder collaboration. Restoring trust in SAPS requires a deliberate and sustained commitment to ethical leadership at all organizational levels. By embedding ethical principles into recruitment, training, accountability systems, and community partnerships, SAPS can transform its image and effectiveness. This study underscores that ethical leadership is indispensable for democratic policing, justice, and societal safety in South Africa.