The City Beat

Chief's Chat

Welcome to the April edition of The City Beat. We have some incredible stories for you about your police department. First, I need to start with the sad news of the passing of one of your officers, Officer Zachary Garcia-Kerns. Officer...

"Where is Your Hitman?": A 79-Year-Old Lawrence Widow’s Story of Fear and Scam

It began with a frozen computer screen and a fake technical support alert. It ended in the back of a liquor store, with a 79-year-old widow feeding $17,000 in cash into a Bitcoin machine while fearing for her life. The victim, who asked...

Asked and Answered

What are some of the biggest misconceptions about a police officer’s daily activities? People assume when they see an officer in a parking lot, they aren’t doing anything. That’s probably not true. Being a police officer involves an...

Douglas County First Responders Join Forces to Better Respond to Special Needs

“I get terrified when an officer is behind me, and I have no reason,” says a Lawrence mom who worries about her autistic son’s potential panic at just the sight of an approaching uniform and badge. Officers at LKPD understand that reality...

K9 Mack

Meet K9 Mack. In the high-stakes world of law enforcement, few K9’s command as much immediate respect as Mack. Weighing in at more than 90 pounds, K9 Mack can be quite intimidating. Many Belgian Malinois are nearly half his size. Mack...

Lawrence Kansas Police Department Advances World Cup Readiness

To sign up for emails about the World Cup or learn about various news and events planned in Lawrence, visit ScoreLawrence.com Safety planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup started nearly a year and a half ago and, with the first kick-off...

Lawrence Police & USD497

The Teams: The Lawrence Kansas Police Department partners with USD497 to ensure student safety. Police officers are stationed at the two high schools, while the remaining School Resource Officers serve the middle and elementary schools as...

Mentors Needed – Apply Today

The Lawrence Police Department is a proud supporter of the Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), which is currently seeking volunteer mentors. Founded in 2025, the VTC is a collaborative program designed to help veterans overcome...

Officer Garcia Kerns RIP

Pinwheels Child Abuse Prevention

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and LKPD is providing an opportunity for you to support the cause. Along with their partners at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County , members of the department planted pinwheels on the...

Protecting Those Who Protect Lawrence: Former LEO Turned Physician Brings Wellness Program to Lawrence

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American law enforcement, yet the risk remains dangerously under-recognized. While officers dedicate their lives to community safety, the profession’s inherent demands—chronic stress, shift...

Sexual Trauma and Abuse Pins

If you see an officer with this teal ribbon shaped lapel pin on his/her uniform, it’s because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center provided law enforcement with the pins to help raise awareness...

Spring Trends and Effective Response Strategies

As the frost thaws and the weather begins to warm, a familiar pattern emerges for local law enforcement: an uptick in calls. Warmer weather gets more people out, more interaction, and oftentimes, more conflict and illegal behavior. It’s...

Taylor Zook

Radio: #549 Hired: Nov 2020 (Prior Service at DGSO since 2013) What is your superpower? Over my career I have developed a pretty good Spidey sense and I can usually tell when things are going to go wrong or aren't what they seem. Tell us...

The Digital Footprint and AI: How LKPD is Staying Ahead of Evolving Investigational Techniques

For decades, the images of a major criminal investigation were defined by a specific set of tools: the dusting brush for fingerprints, the magnifying glass, and the yellow crime tape. But the landscape of policing has shifted. As society...

The Grounded Life of Sergeant Ryan Robinson

Father, Husband, Osage, Antique Tractor Enthusiast For many in Lawrence, Kansas, Ryan Robinson is a familiar face—a fifteen-year veteran of the police department, a sergeant currently overseeing "late swings," and a steady presence in the...

“Shocking” Update: LKPD Tests its First EV Patrol Vehicle

If you see a patrol vehicle zoom by but don’t hear the traditional roar of an engine, you might be one of the first to notice LKPD’s new electric patrol vehicle in action. The department has officially added a Chevrolet Blazer EV to its...