Officer Shannon Bisel is currently a Detective within the Investigations Unit. Officer Goodnight obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from Fort Hays State University, and began her professional career as a Social Worker with the Kansas Dept. of Social and Rehabilitation Services in Wyandotte County in 1998. She was part of the Family Services Division and investigated allegations of child abuse and neglect.

Officer Bisel decided she wanted to transition into Law Enforcement and became a Police Officer with the Merriam Police Department in August 2001. After several years of service in patrol, Officer Bisel interviewed for and obtained the position of Field Training Officer (FTO) in 2004. She has assisted with the field training of new officers for the last three years. Officer Bisel met the special requirements for, and promoted to Master Patrol Officer (MPO) in February 2005. She applied for an opening in the Investigations unit in May 2006, and has been in this position since February 2007.

During her tenure, Officer Bisel has been involved in several special assignment positions within both the department and Johnson County. She was on the Rape Evidence Collection Team for several years before it disbanded in 2005. She is currently a member of the Sexual Assault Response Team for Johnson County. Officer Bisel has assisted Johnson County Court Services with Night Light by responding to juveniles’ homes with a probation officer to search their rooms for contraband and to make sure they were following the conditions of their probation.

Officer Bisel is nationally certified to install child safety seats and has assisted with numerous public safety events. She is also a certified member of the Crisis Intervention Team and is available to other agencies if assistance is needed in dealing with Emotionally Disturbed Persons. Outside of the department, she has volunteered for Special Olympic fundraising events and has participated in the KS Law Enforcement Torch Run for the last seven years. Contact Officer Bisel at shannonb@merriam.org.