Montgomery Police Chief Jim Graboys sits down for a candid, human conversation about purpose, culture, and where MPD is headed next. From his start on IBM typewriters in 1991 to leading a modern department, Chief Graboys reflects on policing as a calling, the family bond inside the badge, and how officers stay grounded on tough days.

He shares a forward-looking vision: faster response times, a more visible presence citywide, expanding the drone unit, and strengthening MPD’s training pipeline that now develops talent for agencies across Alabama and beyond. The Chief also opens the door to service — from 18-year-old cadets to lateral transfers and professional support staff — and explains how programs like early hiring and predictable promotions build a lasting legacy. In a thoughtful close, he offers perspectives on pretrial detention for vi ...