Lawrence Kansas Police Department Advances World Cup Readiness

Published on April 24, 2026

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 less than 2 months away, the countdown has begun.

Lt. David Ernst, with the Lawrence Kansas Police Department, has been fully entrenched in every intricate detail to prepare for a safe and secure environment during the influx of visitors who will call Lawrence their home-away-from-home.

“This is a big deal, the biggest sporting event ever to occur in the world,” says Ernst, who serves as LKPD’s point person for coordinating with FIFA, KC2026, and local, regional, and state law enforcement professionals.

LKPD leaders recognized early on that having a dedicated presence during all planning meetings was critical. “My job, as a law enforcement professional, is to be laser-focused on security so people can safely enjoy all Lawrence will offer,” says Ernst.

LKPD Commanders believe supporting a fun atmosphere is a strategic way to enhance civility and reduce risk.

“NCAA tournament planning gives us a lot of experience with large celebratory crowds and working with local and outside law enforcement partners,” says Ernst. “Those trusted partnerships will benefit this event of worldwide notoriety,” he continues. As team Alegria’s host, Douglas County law enforcement will also be responsible for security at the hotel, practice field, and during any team movement.

To maintain strong daily operations, LPD has limited days off and built what Ernst described as “robust staffing” for the duration of the tournament.

Throughout the tournament, LKPD will be in continuous communication with regional partners. “We’ll have a system in place so that if something happens here and we need additional resources, they’ll be sent—and vice versa,” Ernst said. While the event is massive, the goal remains simple. “We’re all excited for the fun,” Ernst said. “Our role is to make sure it stays fun. We want fans and team Algeria to have a good time, and we want everyone to feel welcomed and safe while they’re here.”