Kearney Police Department

Kearney Police Department Proudly & Professionally Serving, City of Kearney, NE. Official City Government Page. Emergency 911 Please note, comments posted to this page are monitored.

Our Mission Statement is: With Duty, Honor, and Integrity, we will maintain the dignity and high quality of peoples well being, while protecting the rights of all people through professional police services and citizen support. KPD is a diverse group of individuals dedicated to serving our community. From the police officer on patrol to the records clerks in the front office, we're all here to pr

ovide nothing less than exceptional service. The purpose of this site is to present local government news in the City of Kearney, Nebraska. The City encourages you to submit comments and get involved in the conversation. These comments and posts may be subject to public record law and may be disclosed to third parties. The City reserves the right to remove any posted content, including but not limited to:
* Content that is s*xual in nature.
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* Content that incites violence or references killing or harming anyone.
* Content that promotes illegal activity.
* Content that promotes or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, s*x, disability, familial status, national origin or ancestry, age, s*xual orientation or gender identity.
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* Content that promotes commercial services or products. The City of Kearney does not endorse any links or advertisements that may show up on this page. Sign up for public safety alerts at https://BuffaloWatch.net

Kearney (pronounced ˈkɑrni') is the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. It is located near the banks of the Platte River and is located in south central Nebraska. Located squarely at the nation's mid-point, 1,733 miles to Boston and 1,733 miles to San Francisco along US Highway 30 and Interstate 80, Kearney is a crossroads for commerce and culture. Kearney's population is approximately 32,000 people as of 2013. It is home to the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Kearney is also home to the Great Platte River Road Archway which spans more than 300 feet across Interstate 80. In March 2010, the City of Kearney proclaimed Kearney as the Sandhill Crane Capital of the World. For 6 weeks, late February to early April, more than 80% of the world’s population of Sandhill Cranes converges on Nebraska’s Platte River. The Kearney area offers a wide variety of crane viewing experiences. Kearney is filled with historical and cultural museums and family-friendly activities. Unique shopping venues are featured in downtown Kearney, “The Bricks” and at the Hilltop Mall. Tempt your palate with an assortment of restaurants featuring local flare, international, national franchise and good ole Nebraska beef. Local wineries and breweries are a must see when you’re looking to kick back and relax. Entertainment at its finest can be found in Central Nebraska. The Viaero Event Center hosts numerous concerts, events and performances all year round and is home to the Tri-City Storm, a USHL Hockey Team. The Merryman Performing Arts Center and the Kearney Community Theatre offer theatrical and musical entertainment. If you’re not the theatre type, then check out the events calendar for all the different types of happenings in the area. The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) is the official art museum of the state of Nebraska. The museum is located at 25th Street and Central Avenue in downtown Kearney. This houses the Nebraska Art Collection, which is home to works by artists who were born in Nebraska, have lived in Nebraska, or have some connection to Nebraska. MONA also hosts regular rotating exhibitions by living or historic artists who have some connection with the state of Nebraska. MONA is housed in a historic post office building which was built in 1911. The Neoclassical architecture, marble interiors, and spacious, well-lit rooms add to the attraction. You will find not only historic trails, such as the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails converge through Central Nebraska but the City of Kearney features over 18 miles of trails, a perfect combination for walking, rollerblading, mountain biking or wildlife viewing. Experience over a dozen parks which include disc golf, water parks, and sport complexes and golf courses. Kearney, on average hosts a convention or an event per day and is the number one convention location outside Lincoln and Omaha. Kearney's Top Area Employers are: CHI Good Samaritan Health Systems, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Baldwin Filters, Kearney Public Schools, The Buckle, Cabela's, Cash-Wa Distributing, Eaton Corportation, City of Kearney, Buffalo County, West Pharmaceuticals, Chief Industries, Marshall Engines, Builder's Warehouse, ESU 10, Ace Irrigation, Monsanto, and many others.

Save the Date!Faith & Blue is coming to Harmon Park on October 12th! We’re looking forward to bringing our community tog...
09/06/2026

Save the Date!

Faith & Blue is coming to Harmon Park on October 12th! We’re looking forward to bringing our community together for a day of connection, fellowship, and fun.

More details coming soon, stay tuned!

Your opportunity to make a difference starts here.Recruit Officer Pawloski has completed his in-house training and repor...
09/04/2026

Your opportunity to make a difference starts here.

Recruit Officer Pawloski has completed his in-house training and reported to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center.

Now it’s your turn. Are you ready to ?

Applications close September 8th. Learn more at JoinKPD.com.

Sunday night, KPD’s Uniformed Patrol Bureau D Shift was conducting proactive patrol when officers located multiple indiv...
09/03/2026

Sunday night, KPD’s Uniformed Patrol Bureau D Shift was conducting proactive patrol when officers located multiple individuals camping behind a closed business without permission. During their investigation, officers identified one individual with a full-extraditable felony warrant out of Wisconsin for possession of child po*******hy.

This is a great example of the value of proactive policing. Our patrol officers remain alert and engaged throughout their shifts, investigating suspicious activity and taking action when something doesn’t look right. Their attention to detail and commitment to thorough police work make a difference in keeping Kearney safe.

Last Monday, Lt. Luke and Officer Luke had the opportunity to speak with the Noon Kiwanis Club about the responsible use...
09/02/2026

Last Monday, Lt. Luke and Officer Luke had the opportunity to speak with the Noon Kiwanis Club about the responsible use of drone technology in law enforcement.

KPD’s drones are used to help locate missing children and vulnerable adults, track dangerous fugitives, map crime and accident scenes, and provide safety overwatch for officers during high-risk operations.

We’re grateful to be part of such an incredible community filled with civic clubs and organizations working to make Kearney a better place.

Does your club, organization, or business want to learn more about a topic affecting our community? Presentations can cover topics including human trafficking, child exploitation, internet fraud, cellphone scams, current drug trends, and technology in law enforcement, including Automated License Plate Readers.

If you’d like KPD to speak to your group, reach out to us at (308)233-5241. We’re always happy to connect, answer questions, and provide information that helps keep our community informed and safe.

🐾 Today, on National Police K9 Day, we’re honored to recognize two incredible K9 teams who give so much to our community...
09/01/2026

🐾 Today, on National Police K9 Day, we’re honored to recognize two incredible K9 teams who give so much to our community, K9 Bane & Handler Officer Alstrom and K9 Kuba & Handler Officer Schwarz.

These incredible teams train to detect drugs, track missing persons, locate hidden suspects, and apprehend dangerous individuals. Their speed, strength, and incredible sense of smell make them invaluable members of our team.

We are deeply grateful for their dedication, courage, and service.

Thank you, K9 Bane, K9 Kuba, Officer Alstrom, and Officer Schwarz, for all you do! 🐾

Deb Bunger and Vivian White, volunteers with Quilts of Valor, recently presented Officer Derek Payton with a quilt honor...
08/31/2026

Deb Bunger and Vivian White, volunteers with Quilts of Valor, recently presented Officer Derek Payton with a quilt honoring his service in the United States Marine Corps.

Quilts of Valor is a nationwide organization that honors veterans and service members by presenting them with handmade quilts as a symbol of gratitude, comfort, and appreciation for their service.

Thank you, Deb and Vivian, for helping honor Officer Payton and his military service and thank you, Officer Payton, for your service to our country and our community!

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career serving your community? Want to learn more about law enforcement ...
08/28/2026

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career serving your community? Want to learn more about law enforcement and what it’s like to be part of the Kearney Police Department?

Come experience KPD for yourself and you might just find your calling.

Schedule a ride-along with Officer Faz at (308) 233-5239 or visit JoinKPD.com to learn more about a career with KPD.

Our very own UNK alumni are wishing Coach Held and the UNK football team the very best tonight as they take on Wayne Sta...
08/27/2026

Our very own UNK alumni are wishing Coach Held and the UNK football team the very best tonight as they take on Wayne State at Foster Field!

Show your Loper pride on and off the field with an official UNK License Plate! Check it out here: https://www.unk.edu/loper-plates.php

Go Lopers!

Last night, Chief Kowalek recognized Officer Najera for 5 years of service to the Kearney Police Department and the City...
08/26/2026

Last night, Chief Kowalek recognized Officer Najera for 5 years of service to the Kearney Police Department and the City of Kearney!

Officer Najera is currently assigned to Uniformed Patrol Bureau C Shift and also serves as a drone pilot and member of the Honor Guard. She is a valued member of our department who consistently demonstrates professionalism, teamwork, and a willingness to step up and help wherever needed.

Congratulations on 5 years, Officer Najera! Thank you for your dedication and all you do for KPD and our community!

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2025 A Avenue
Kearney, NE
68847

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