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Montgomery Focus

Montgomery Focus

Written by: COM Comms
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About this listen

Montgomery Focus is the official podcast of the City of Montgomery, designed to connect residents with the people and programs working behind the scenes to keep our city moving forward. Hosted by the city’s Communications Team, each episode pulls back the curtain on local government, offering candid conversations with staff members across departments — from first responders and engineers to urban planners, community organizers, and beyond.

Whether it’s how we’re tackling public safety and infrastructure, improving neighborhoods, delivering essential services, or innovating through technology, City Focus gives you a front-row seat to the challenges, strategies, and solutions shaping Montgomery’s future.

This isn’t politics — it’s the pulse of your city, straight from the people who serve it.

City of Montgomery Director of Communications Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • “Calling, Culture, and the Future of Public Safety” — with Chief Jim Graboys

    “Calling, Culture, and the Future of Public Safety” — with Chief Jim Graboys
    Sep 5 2025

    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 violent offenses and “rules of the road” for responsible gun ownership — underscoring his north star: a safer city that earns public trust.

    Highlights

    • The “why” behind the badge: purpose, resilience, and service
    • MPD’s future: rapid response, tech (including drones), and smart tactics that reduce crime
    • How MPD trains officers for the region — and why that makes Montgomery stronger
    • Clear on-ramps to serve: cadets (18+), officer trainees, lateral transfers, and professional staff
    • Policy reflections on violent offenders awaiting trial and responsible carry

    Interested in serving? Explore opportunities at JoinMGMBlue.com.
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    23 mins
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