Q&A with Ronnie Grice
Chief of Police, Kansas State University (Ret.)
Q: Where are you originally from, and what path eventually brought you to Manhattan?
A: I grew up in a small rural farming community in Arkansas before attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where I earned a degree in political science with a minor in pre-law. While I was in college, I worked for the school district, starting as a custodian and eventually working my way up to custodial supervisor and foreman. At that point, I fully expected to become an attorney. I had even been offered a fellowship to attend law school. But a friend who worked for the sheriff's department encouraged me to participate in a few ride-alongs, and that experience completely changed my direction. I realized law enforcement was where I wanted to serve. That decision eventually led me through four different agencies before Kansas State recruited me as chief of police in 1994.
Q: Do you remember your very first day as a law enforcement officer?
A: I'll never forget it. I took the oath of office on April 1, 1980, was assigned my patrol car, and within my first two hours on duty I was involved in a traffic accident. Thankfully it wasn't my fault, but my nickname quickly became "Fender." Fortunately, after a few weeks—and after several other patrol cars were totaled while I was away at the academy—the nickname disappeared. Looking back now, it's one of those stories I can laugh about. This past April marked 46 years in law enforcement, and it's been an incredible journey.
Q: Before coming to Kansas State, what did your career look like?
A: I spent over a decade with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department before serving briefly with the Arkansas Highway Police. I eventually returned to the sheriff's department before accepting the position as Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police at my alma mater, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. That opportunity meant a great deal because I was able to serve the university that had invested in me. After a couple of years there, Kansas State advertised for a chief of police, and I decided to apply. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.
Q: You originally planned to stay at Kansas State for only a couple of years. What changed?
A: Honestly, I didn't know much about Kansas or Kansas State when I arrived. I figured I would spend two or three years at a larger Division I university, gain some experience and then move on to another opportunity. Instead, those two years became more than 31. The reason is simple: the people. Coach Bill Snyder has said it. President Jon Wefald said it. Dr. Frank Tracz has said it. The reason so many people stay here is because of the people. Manhattan welcomed my family, Kansas State became home, and before long I realized there wasn't anywhere else I wanted to be.
Q: Throughout your career, you've emphasized teamwork rather than individual recognition. Why has that always been so important to you?
A: Public safety is never about one person or one agency. I always believed we were one team. Whether it was Riley County Police, the fire department, emergency management, the Kansas Highway Patrol or our federal partners, everyone shared the same mission: protecting our community. Emergencies don't recognize jurisdictional boundaries, so we couldn't either. We built relationships long before emergencies happened, and because of that, when difficult situations arose, people trusted one another and worked together. That's something I'm incredibly proud of.
Q: Your relationship with the Riley County Police Department has often been described as exceptional. How did that partnership evolve?
A: I've been fortunate to work alongside several outstanding directors at Riley County Police over the years, and every one of them believed in collaboration. One accomplishment I'm especially proud of was seeing Kansas State officers earn positions on the Riley County SWAT Team. That had never happened before. It demonstrated the confidence our community partners had in our officers and created opportunities for them to serve beyond campus while strengthening the relationship between our agencies.
Q: You often speak very highly of your staff. What made that team so special?
A: They were the reason for our success. I had assistant chiefs and supervisors who served alongside me for decades. Their experience, professionalism and leadership allowed our department to accomplish so much. People sometimes compliment the chief, but I always tell them my staff made me look good. They cared deeply about our mission and about each other, and I couldn't have asked for a better team.
Q: What was one of the biggest challenges you faced during your time at Kansas State?
A: Recruiting great officers wasn't the problem. Keeping them was. We trained outstanding young officers, but we simply couldn't compete financially with larger agencies. It was difficult watching talented people leave after only a few years because another department could offer significantly higher salaries. Still, I'm proud that so many officers who started their careers with us went on to become successful professionals elsewhere. That tells me we were preparing them well.
Q: Over more than three decades, you've watched Kansas State continue to evolve. What stands out when you reflect on those years?
A: The growth has been remarkable. I've watched the university expand academically, strengthen its research programs and continue investing in its future. I've also watched the partnerships between campus and community become stronger every year. Today, agencies communicate better, train together more often and respond as one team. That's a tremendous improvement from where we were years ago, and it's something everyone involved should be proud of.
Q: After 46 years in law enforcement, what does leadership mean to you today?
A: Leadership isn't about rank or title. It's about serving people, earning trust and helping others succeed. If the people around you are growing, your organization is improving and your community is better because of your efforts, then you've done your job. I've always believed in treating people with respect, working together and remembering that every decision affects someone else's life. If that's how people remember me, I'll be grateful.
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After more than three decades leading the Kansas State University Police Department, Ronnie Grice has officially retired, closing the chapter on a remarkable 46-year law enforcement career defined by leadership, teamwork, and service. But ask Grice what mattered most during his time in Manhattan, and his answer is simple: the people.
Originally from a small rural farming community in Arkansas, Grice attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he earned a political science degree with plans to attend law school. That path changed after participating in sheriff’s department ride-alongs, an experience that ignited a passion for law enforcement and public service. He officially took the oath as a deputy on April 1, 1980, beginning a career that would eventually bring him to Kansas State University in 1994.
At the time, Grice thought Manhattan would simply be a short stop along the way. 31 years later, Manhattan and the university were still home.
Throughout his career, Grice became known not only for his professionalism, but for his belief in collaboration. Under his leadership, K-State Police developed strong partnerships with the Riley County Police Department, emergency management agencies, fire departments, and regional law enforcement partners. He consistently emphasized teamwork over ego, helping strengthen communication and emergency response efforts throughout the community.
He also speaks proudly about the officers and staff he mentored over the years, many of whom went on to leadership roles of their own.
For Grice, impact was never about titles or recognition. It was about building relationships, serving others, and helping create a safer, stronger community. And after more than 31 years in Manhattan, it is clear his impact will continue to be felt long after retirement.