Published on March 11, 2025
Congratulations to Master Police Officer Brandon Bates for being named the 2024 Merriam Police Department Officer of the Year!
Merriam Police Chief Darren McLaughlin and Mayor Bob Pape honored him at the March 10 City Council meeting.
Bates received this peer-nominated award for going above and beyond to serve his community and police family.
Bates serves as one of two detectives in the Merriam Police Department. As a five-year veteran, he’s instructed many disciplines, including defensive tactics, handcuffing, baton, and de-escalation.
Bates said he enjoys educating and training his colleagues.
“Police work is a fun and rewarding career,” Bates said. “Merriam allows officers to thrive and enjoy being at work. I’ve worked hard over the past few years to create and maintain opportunities, and I look forward to my future here.”
We thank him for his many dedicated years serving in the Merriam Police Department.