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.
* Content that threatens any person or organization.
* 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.
* Content that contains confidential information or information that may compromise the safety or security of any person.
* 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.

🎣🚓 Fishing with First Responders is THIS Sunday! 🚒🚑Join the Kearney Police Department and other local first responders f...
06/01/2026

🎣🚓 Fishing with First Responders is THIS Sunday! 🚒🚑

Join the Kearney Police Department and other local first responders for an afternoon of fishing, family fun, and community connections at Archway Lake!

✅ FREE event for the whole family
✅ Fishing equipment provided
✅ FREE hot dogs, chips, and water
✅ Prizes for the biggest and smallest fish
✅ Meet local law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and more

📅 Sunday, June 7
⏰ 1:00–5:00 PM
📍 Archway Lake (behind the museum)

Hook a fish. Meet a hero. Make a memory. 🎣

Summer Reminder: Keep Your Stuff… Yours!As summer kicks off, we start seeing an increase in thefts from vehicles around ...
05/31/2026

Summer Reminder: Keep Your Stuff… Yours!

As summer kicks off, we start seeing an increase in thefts from vehicles around Kearney. Recently, we’ve taken reports involving stolen wallets, purses, collectible coins, cash, identification documents, fi****ms, and even vehicles that were stolen because the keys were left inside.

The good news is most of these thefts are crimes of opportunity and are preventable.

Here are **3 easy steps to remember** to help keep your stuff from becoming someone else’s “summer prize”:

🔹 **Step 1: Keep valuables out of sight**
If you don’t want it stolen, don’t leave it where someone can window shop from the sidewalk. Purses, wallets, cash, guns, electronics, collectible items… take them with you or lock them up out of sight.

🔹 **Step 2: Roll up your windows**
Cracked windows might feel nice in the summer heat, but they also make it easier for thieves to help themselves.

🔹 **Step 3: Take your keys and lock your doors**
Yes… even if you’re “just running in for a minute.” We recently had a vehicle stolen with the keys left inside. Don’t make it easy.

Remember: criminals are often looking for the easiest target. Don’t volunteer your vehicle for the job.

A locked car with nothing visible inside is a lot less exciting than one full of valuables and unlocked doors. Help us help you keep your stuff where it belongs, with "YOU".

HIDE IT - LOCK IT - KEEP IT

With summer in full swing, the City of Kearney Street Department is in full swing repairing many of our streets all over...
05/30/2026

With summer in full swing, the City of Kearney Street Department is in full swing repairing many of our streets all over town. Remember to slow down and drive the posted construction zone speed limit. Speeding fines can double in work zones but more importantly it’s about keeping you and our workers safe. Kearney Police Department officers will be paying special attention to work zone traffic. Slow down. Put down the phone. Pay attention to your driving.

Updated Press Release - Motor Vehicle Fatality Accident
05/29/2026

Updated Press Release - Motor Vehicle Fatality Accident

Press Release - Traffic Accident resulting in single fatality
05/28/2026

Press Release - Traffic Accident resulting in single fatality

🚨 URGENT NOTICE 🚨There is currently a heavy police, fire, and medical presence in the area of the Avenue“M-N overpass” f...
05/28/2026

🚨 URGENT NOTICE 🚨

There is currently a heavy police, fire, and medical presence in the area of the Avenue“M-N overpass” following a two-vehicle collision on the north end.

Please avoid the area and use alternate routes to allow emergency personnel to respond safely and efficiently.

We will provide updates as more information becomes available. Please stay safe and drive cautiously.

The Forever Pink Foundation Get Tee’d Off at Breast Cancer Golf Tournament is just over a week away, and there are some ...
05/28/2026

The Forever Pink Foundation Get Tee’d Off at Breast Cancer Golf Tournament is just over a week away, and there are some amazing prizes up for grabs — including a Hole-In-One Prize featuring a golf cart & trailer, plus raffle opportunities for a ¼ Angus Beef!

Grab a partner, get signed up, and help support an incredible cause in our community 💗

⛳️💗 Our Get Tee’d Off at Breast Cancer Golf Tournament is just over a week away! 💗⛳️

This year we are excited to have an AMAZING Hole-In-One Prize… a golf cart & trailer sponsored by Double J Plumbing & Contracting LLC and Kearney Trailers LLC! 🚙🏌️‍♂️

PLUS… one of our BIG raffle prizes is a ¼ Angus Beef sponsored by Schulte Ranch! 🥩🐄 🎟 We will be PRE-SELLING raffle tickets for the quarter beef:
• $20 for 1 ticket
• 6 tickets for $100

If you’re interested, comment below or message us and we’ll reach out! You can also click the registration link below and put “raffle tickets” in the comments section.

And don’t forget to grab your partner and get signed up for the tournament too! ⛳️💗 Registration is available through the link below as well.
https://kearneyfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1160

We can’t wait for a fun day of golf, prizes, and supporting local breast cancer patients through the Forever Pink Foundation! 🎀

Please join us in welcoming Community Service Officer Chase Pawloski to the Kearney Police Department!Chase completed hi...
05/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming Community Service Officer Chase Pawloski to the Kearney Police Department!

Chase completed his internship with KPD and recently graduated from Hastings College. We are excited to see him begin his law enforcement career and wish him a long, safe, and successful career!

Welcome to the team!

On Tuesday, May 26th, 2026, at approximately 11:18pm Kearney Police Officers responded to a report of a U-Haul truck pul...
05/27/2026

On Tuesday, May 26th, 2026, at approximately 11:18pm Kearney Police Officers responded to a report of a U-Haul truck pulling a vehicle on a flatbed car trailer which had just been stolen from Hampton Inn at 507 Talmadge Avenue. Following an investigation, Officers quickly determined an unknown white male suspect had assaulted a female victim and stole the U-Haul with the car trailer behind it. Officers confirmed the suspect was the only occupant of the stolen vehicle.
Within four minutes, KPD Officers located the stolen vehicle near Yanney Park and attempted a traffic stop. The suspect did not stop and continued westbound out of Kearney city limits. KPD officers received assistance from Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office and a pursuit was initiated.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made to use spikes to disable the vehicle before it got on Interstate 80 east-bound at Odessa. The pursuit then continued east-bound in I-80 at speeds between 15mph and 55mph. The U-Haul was successfully spiked several times on I-80 by the Nebraska State Patrol in an attempt to stop the stolen vehicle. During the pursuit, the car trailer with the vehicle on it came off the U-Haul several miles east of Kearney and came to rest in the outside lane of I-80.
During the pursuit, sparks from the deflated tires on the U-Haul and trailer started several fires in the median. Kearney Volunteer Fire Department responded to quickly extinguish the fires.
The U-Haul finally became disabled near the Gibbon exit on I-80. Officers from Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol arrested the suspect, 40-year-old Jeffrey J. Ritchison from Omaha without further incident.
Ritchison was lodged at Buffalo County Jail for Flight to Avoid Arrest and Robbery. Additional charges are pending from NSP. We would like to thank Buffalo County Sherriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and Kearney Volunteer Fire Department for their quick and professional assistance in apprehending the suspect and extinguising the fires.
Anyone who may have information relevant to this case is encouraged to contact Lt. Luke at the Kearney Police Department at (308) 237-2104, Buffalo County Crimestoppers at (308) 237-3424, or by using the See Something Send Something App.

05/27/2026

🛴🚴 E-Bike & Scooter Safety Reminder from the Kearney Police Department 🚴🛴

Address

2025 A Avenue
Kearney, NE
68847

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