Public Safety: Job One

After more than six years of serving as your Chief of Police (with 27 years total service as a police leader), I know that we cannot have a prosperous Lawrence unless it continues to be a safe place to live, work, and raise a family, for everyone, at all times.

I commit to prioritizing the safety of our city, our first responders, and the citizens they serve. We will continue to keep crime rates low. We built the first-ever LPD headquarters building. I brought body worn cameras to LPD. I oversaw significant investments in our police fleet. I hired the first-ever LPD Community Engagement Officer to help those with mental health, substance abuse or psychological disorders. And I prioritized LPD’s efforts towards hiring the most qualified officers from diverse backgrounds. “Be the Change You Want to See!” is our slogan and will continue to be. Community Policing is the model we proudly follow in Lawrence.

Our Fire Department has seen massive city investments in facilities, equipment, vehicles, training, and staffing levels in the past eight years, all leading to response times that are well under the national average, and a reduced rate of injuries to our brave firefighters and medics. The Lawrence Fire Department is second to none, from the newest hires to upper leadership. Professionalism is the name of their game!

These successful priorities will remain of utmost importance under my administration because no community can thrive without well-funded public safety personnel and operations.