LKPD Commander Addresses Middle School Ahead of MLK Day

I’m not here to change minds or indoctrinate. That’s not how I roll.”

Standing with a microphone in front of students at Billy Mills Middle School, Lt. Myrone Grady can’t help but recall the long road that led him here: “I have come to realize, more than ever, that we all stand on the shoulders of giants, in this career and in life. We are caretakers with a responsibility to leave things just a bit better for the next generation.”

Lt. Tyrone Grady talks about decades at LKPD

As a history buff, when Grady was asked to speak just ahead of the nation honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a mix of the nation’s past and personal nostalgia bombarded his thoughts: “When I think of Dr. King, I am certain at the time of his death, he was not well-liked, and a large percentage of Americans did not support him or his efforts—Black people included.”

More than 20 years ago, Lt. Grady recalls feeling he was being picked on and wasn’t wanted or needed at LKPD. That’s when now-retired Captain Ed Brunt changed his perspective: “He took me to breakfast, bought me pancakes, and basically made me man up and fight for my presence. He saw something in me before I saw it in myself.”

Grady is quick to say others made similar impacts, but it reminds him we are all just people with the power to change, something he was sure to relay to students during his speech, “Dr. King was a man—just a man and a cog in the wheels of justice and equality that we are still trying to reconcile to this very day.”

So, his speech focused on three actionable ideals that have guided his 22-year career based in service: Courage, Commitment, and Kindness.

“It takes courage to do the right thing,” said Grady. “It’s not easy to step in and stand up for others when they’re mistreated or to redirect or confront someone when they do or say something you disapprove of or is fundamentally wrong. It takes courage to convey a message of love in the face of extreme hatred and anger.”

Lt. Grady circa 2005 as a young officer on patrol.

Grady continued to say that commitment takes strength, determination, faith, and accountability to a cause bigger than you, ending with, “Kindness, in my eyes, should be the easiest to do. Treat others how you want to be treated.

Lt. Grady now serves as the Lawrence Kansas Police Department’s first Executive Officer of Community Engagement and Diversity and admits his growth and understanding took time, but that he would never have gotten where he is: “Without the grace and understanding of those who came before me, there is no doubt in my mind I would have quit.”

So, he was sure to bestow grace as well: “I am not here to change minds or indoctrinate. That’s not how I roll. I am here to honor a great man, who means a great deal to a large segment of the population, so be kind. Do the right thing. It’s a choice.”