Months after Officer Fred Lynch retired, a new badge has appeared. Officer Mike Brown greets everyone with a smile on his face. Brown has set up in the front office next to Officer Richard Spandel, emitting a positive attitude to everyone around him including Officer Greg Merchant.

“He has been working here for about a month. He did a couple of orientations at East, North, West, and Northwest,” Merchant said. “He is responsible for our feeder schools such as Brookridge, and Brookwood he would be called down if anything were to happen.”

Brown is experienced and ready for the day to day tasks of him. Showing his experience to Merchant as well.

“He is a good guy, well trained. He worked for the city of Paola and Las Vegas. He has a lot of experience in the law enforcement,” Merchant said.

Brown, who worked in law enforcement for 10 years, wouldn’t have guessed his occupation as a school police officer after his move.

“[I moved to Kansas City because] my wife grew up in Kansas City, her mother had a stroke here. She wanted to live closer to her,” Brown said. “It is a change. I have never worked in the school environment. I have always worked as a street cop. I have enjoyed it so far.”

Having to be on his feet, Officer Brown has had experience with more than police duty.

“[Before working as a police officer] I made my own construction company in Minnesota, laid down brick and stone. Afterwards I sold my company and retired. I did not take retirement well though I had to be on my feet and moving,” Brown said.

Don’t be shy to say hello to the new face at South.
“I wanted to help people and make it better out there. Do the right thing and to protect the innocent,” Brown said. “The people here are wonderful, compared to the people in Las Vegas. They have a different standard. It is very refreshing.”