The World Cup drew thousands of fans far and wide to Kansas City this summer. Deemed a successful six-week event, the planning took many years. With so many moving parts spanning many miles, the Kansas City Police Department played a vital role in the safety of the city and its guests. Former KCPD major Tye Grant credits the department’s diligent preparation for why large events like these in Kansas City are so successful.
“Hosting it in Kansas City went very well for our community. We shined, but that doesn’t happen by accident,” he informed. “Even to host a Chiefs’ game on a Sunday afternoon takes a year plus of planning for each game. You don’t just show up at an event like that and it’s safe. The police department are the ones expected to lead that effort. They did so at the World Cup.”
Seven years retired, Grant is now the President and CEO of The Police Foundation, an independent organization that helps fund innovative tools and programs for the Kansas City Police Department, resources they would not otherwise have based on budget constraints.
Started in 2010 by the former President of Police Commissioners Terry Brady, its mission was and continues to be to make Kansas City safer.
“We provide the resources for the beta test to see if there is a return on investment for those tools, training and equipment,” board chair Carolyn Watley said.
One of the Police Foundation’s initiatives, now a model program across the country, is the Social Services Specialists program. These Social Service Specialists ensure compassionate victim treatment, provide crucial resource notifications, maintain consistent transparent updates for grieving families navigating the absolute worst moments of their lives. Grant described why this program has been such a beacon for other departments beyond our Metro.
“We saw a gap between officers responding to calls for service and seeing families in need well beyond the assistance the police department could provide. A department member that is specialized in that area can respond to that house and get that family in a better place immediately,” he shared. “It could also be as simple as a meal.”
“These specialists can address things like domestic violence and children witnessing scenes of a crime,” board member Cathy Allin said. “In addition, these specialists support community outreach programs including Coats and Cocoa in partnership with the Police Foundation and Walmart.”
The foundation has also contributed funding for equipment advancements, allowing the department to be more proactive in unsafe situations rather than reactive. Grant shared how the department was assisted in designing and building the most advanced bomb and arson command post bus in the country. The Police Foundation has also funded, at the request of KCPD, a complete wellness program.
“One of the programs we funded was training to address the mental health and wellness of our officers,” Allin added. “Police officers go out everyday, and they want to go home safely, too. When they are feeling that kind of pressure, there is a place to go to express it.”
Because of the work of the Police Foundation and its donors, the board believes the tangible proof of its commitment to a safer Kansas City can be seen and felt today.
“I retired from the police department after 26 years, and I completely believe that if it were not for the support of The Police Foundation, our city would look completely different today than it does,” Grant said. “We are providing the resources to truly be problem solvers and not just call responders.”
In the spirit of thankfulness, Allin Grant, and Watley reflected on their personal ties to law enforcement, which continually inspire them to put their best foot forward as they witness the impact being made in the city they love.
“We all go downtown. We are all a part of this city, and while we have our independent police departments, we really do have to support our Kansas City Police Department because everyone wants to feel safe,” Allin said.
“The work is meaningful to me. We are making Kansas City safer. We don’t meet just to meet every month,” Grant said. “If you provide us a dollar through philanthropic funds, I am going to be able to show you where that dollar was spent.”
“My father was a first responder. I grew up in that world and have great respect for our first responders. I appreciate what they do for all of us and their willingness to do it. They leave their houses, their families, their spouses, their children to go out and keep us safe,” Watley reflected. “If I can bring more people to learn about The Police Foundation and their great work, that is rewarding to me.”
The Kansas City Police Department exists to answer every call for help, and The Police Foundation to set them up for success. Together, they aspire to make Kansas City a safer place for everyone to live.
Get involved:
To learn more about the work taking place in Kansas City through The Police Foundation, follow along on their website: policefoundationkc.org/
You can sign up for their newsletter containing regular updates throughout the year or save the date for their annual benefit fundraiser "A Call for Backup," scheduled for March 5, 2027 at the Loews Hotel.
“We are providing the resources to truly be problem solvers, not just call responders. The work is meaningful to me. We are making Kansas City safer."