Off the Clock: An Idea Worth Investing In

“I wanted to do something other than the norm. I thought it was one of those ideas that was crazy enough that it just might work.” – Officer Anthony Harvey Jr.

Most police interactions with troubled youth end once the handcuffs click shut, but Officer Anthony Harvey Jr.’s work begins when the locked door closes. He’s working to reimagine the relationship between police and juvenile offenders with a mentorship program called “Forward Progress,” which operates within the walls of the Lawrence Juvenile Detention Center (JDC).

“I felt I would honestly have to dig deep and make it genuine if I wanted to gain trust and rapport,” says Officer Anthony Harvey Jr., known by most simply as Harvey. “I thought it was one of those ideas that was crazy enough that it just might work,” he continues.

Officer Anthony Harvey Jr.

Bridging the Divide

Harvey began the program in the summer of 2025 in his free time – off the clock – but Chief Rich Lockhart soon learned about his “crazy idea” and supports the valuable time spent. Every Friday, he trades his police uniform for jeans and a sweatshirt, intentionally stripping away barriers ingrained in many young offenders.
Harvey grew up in Lawrence and saw people who didn’t have positive role models make bad decisions and face consequences. “I feel like I have a responsibility to leave my community in a better place than what I grew up in,” explains Harvey. “I grew up kind of looking up to the wrong people who didn’t necessarily create a positive environment for the community.”

Building Trust

Harvey admits that gaining trust wasn’t instant.

“I share the mistakes of my life,” Harvey says. “I had to share my upbringing and the feelings I had toward the police to connect with them.”

However, Harvey is quick to clarify that his “casual” approach does not mean he is easy on them. In fact, he holds his mentees to a higher standard than other kids he sees on the streets. If a resident “messes up” during the week, they lose the privilege of attending the group. Harvey believes that tough love is the only way to prepare them for a world that will be quick to judge them for their past.

The ultimate goal of “Forward Progress” is to change the trajectory of the “adults of tomorrow,” as Harvey calls them.

“If we don’t take back our kids, and if we don’t show them that we care enough to sit down, and have an open and honest conversation about their trajectory of life, and if they don’t change, then we’re just going to keep overpopulating the jails with misguided young people,” warns Harvey, “and it’s just going to create a whole bunch of disdain for the police.”

Not “Scared Straight”

Unlike the “Scared Straight” programs that rely on intimidation, “Forward Progress” focuses on humanization and life skills.

The JDC is split into two distinct groups: the residents, who are incarcerated full-time, and students in the day school program who are barred from public education. The “Forward Progress” program works with both groups and varies the lesson plans accordingly to provide a hopeful future.

Harvey’s sessions range from maintaining a positive mindset in a negative environment to practical preparation. He conducts mock interviews to teach kids how to communicate with adults appropriately, helps them process mistakes that led to detention, and has open discussions about the weight of second chances to help them value freedom.

The impact is tangible. One resident was inspired to start a Bible study within the facility, while others have begun to view their time in JDC not just as a punishment, but as a time for growth and restructuring.

A New Wave of Policing

Harvey admits he was ignorant about what happened at the JDC and was “…just dropping people off and going on about our nights or days. But I have gained a better understanding and a newfound respect for the staff at JDC.”

Harvey says it’s an understanding which can benefit everyone on the streets and has invited fellow officers to join him – hoping the program continues long past his days at LKPD. “The kids are powerful nowadays. Kids are committing a good amount of violent crime in the state of Kansas, and we need to be able to have that personal connection with them. I want people in the community to understand that this is a new wave, and this is a new era of policing Lawrence.”

During his time “Off the Clock” Officer Harvey also coaches basketball Lawrence High School.

Creating a Safer Lawrence

In Harvey’s eyes, every Friday afternoon spent with these kids is an investment in a safer, more connected Lawrence. “I go in there and there are days where if a kid got out and I’m the one that had to go arrest, I’m like, ‘we’re going to have that tough conversation,’ but I think it’s what’s best for them because nobody else is holding them accountable like that.”

Harvey views an arrest, not as punishment, but as an opportunity to change. “The big picture is to create an environment where young adults of tomorrow can understand that police aren’t the enemy. The police are a resource.”

“It’s okay to ask a question and it’s okay to show love. I think that’s the biggest thing we’re missing right now is people just showing love,” says Harvey.
Everyone who leaves the JDC has Harvey’s email address and he’s already hearing from some who keep in contact voluntarily. His message is consistent: “I don’t want to see you again. I want to hear from you, but I don’t want to see you in here again because I want what’s best for you.”