LKPD Invites the DOJ to Lawrence – The Purpose is to Hear from the Community
Lawrence, KS: Building a partnership between police and the community has been the vision of Police Chief Rich Lockhart since he came to the Lawrence Kansas Police Department. “I’ve always said I want our officers to police our community the way the people want to be policed,” said the Chief. “When I heard the Department of Justice facilitates a program to help strengthen our partnerships and continue the dialogue moving us in that direction, I knew they were the experts to bring on board.”
The Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships Program is a full-day workshop, split into two half-days, where DOJ facilitators hope to improve trust and develop partnerships between police and community members by identifying issues and collectively creating solutions. It requires a diverse group of participants with open minds ready to communicate openly, honestly, and productively. Anyone willing to share with a solutions-based spirit is encouraged to attend.
LKPD’s Office of Diversity and Community Engagement is organizing the event and its commander, Lt Myrone Grady, says they’re working to be sure as many people as possible hear about the workshop so they’re able to hear new voices. “Some of the silence between law enforcement and certain community members are longstanding, in fact, generational,” says Grady, “so these discussions may not flow easily. But we believe the hard work can bring mutual understandings and those are things we can follow up on and partnerships we can continue to build.”
All Lawrence community members are invited to attend. Registration is required and attendance at both sessions is highly encouraged as solutions generally come during the second day’s work. Please see and feel free to distribute the attached flyer produced by the Department of Justice.
Media is welcome to attend. Please email LPDMedia@lkpd.org to let us know you’ll be coming or if you have any questions or interview requests in advance.
What: Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships Program
When: Saturday, July 27, 8:30 am – 1:00pm
Saturday, August 3, 8:30 am – 1:00pm
(Attendance at both sessions is highly encouraged.)
Register: Registration is required. Please fill out the form here: https://bit.ly/Register
Where: Lawrence High School
1901 Louisiana Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
