The City Beat

From your Lawrence Kansas Police Department

Information to remain safe and secure

October 2026 Edition

Chief's Chat

This edition of City Beat explores a spooky Halloween weekend, pedestrian safety at 14th and Ohio, LKPD’s 50th Academy class, e-bike safety and the City’s noise ordinance. Plus, celebrate K9 Shadow’s first-place finish at the K9 games and catch up on trunk-or-treat festivities.

Asked and Answered

Why does it sometimes take an officer a while to arrive after I call the police? What should I do if I see a suspicious vehicle? What is one thing residents can do today to help prevent crime?

Detective Amy Price

Radio: #475 Hired: 06/02/2014 In each “City Beat”, we ask the same 5 questions to a different law enforcement employee. Detective Bardwell seems a fitting candidate this quarter after a video of her went viral as she conducted traffic...

K9 Shadow Recounts His Winning Performance

K9 Shadow shares a dog’s-eye view of winning first place in the Keyless Entry contest at the Shawnee County Sheriff’s K9 Games, where teamwork with Corporal Josh earned a trophy—and plenty of belly rubs.

Lawrence Police Department & Evolution Athletics

Since 2018, LKPD’s partnership with Evolution Athletics has helped recruits prepare for the physical demands of policing. Now part of the department’s Wellness Program, it also provides employees with personalized workouts and professional fitness support to build strength, prevent injuries, and support lifelong health.

LKPD Returns to “Old School” Policing

An August computer service interruption forced LKPD to rely on handwritten reports and radio communication while maintaining police services. As staff enter reports into restored systems, some 2026 statistics, including response times, will remain incomplete. Future reports will note the outage’s impact on the data.

The LKPD Brothers Who Take Their Work Home and Around the World

LKPD Communications Manager When you see a police officer, it’s easy to only see the uniform, badge and equipment. But behind the wheel in every patrol car is a person with a history, a unique set of skills, and a life outside the shift...

The Spooky Tale of a Saturday Night Hallo

Halloween falls on a Saturday as daylight saving time ends, giving Lawrence an extra hour to celebrate. LKPD officers reflect on past Halloween shenanigans, from clown sightings to red balloons on storm drains, as they prepare for a busy night serving the community.