Garland City Manager Bryan Bradford has announced a significant organizational change. Police Chief Mitch Bates has agreed to accept a new position as Garland’s Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer. This new position will assist in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city.
A national search will be conducted to select a new police chief. Bradford said the community will play a significant role in the search for a new chief. Chief Bates will continue to serve as police chief until his replacement has been selected. The search process is expected to take approximately six months.
“Garland is a wonderfully diverse community. Chief Bates has worked closely with many community leaders to help our police department meet those diverse needs,” Bradford said. “The city as a whole is benefiting from the relationships and bridges he has built.”
Bates began his career with the GPD 32 years ago, including 16 years as chief. He was instrumental in establishing the Community Leaders Group, which meets regularly with the city manager, police chief and other key city staff members to discuss and address important issues that are relevant to the community. The group is comprised of the leadership of key community organizations: Garland Chapter NAACP, Garland Association for Hispanic Affairs, Garland Chapter of League of United Latin American Citizens and the Asian American Citizens Council.
During Bates’ tenure, the department experienced significant growth and expansion in community policing programs such as the Neighborhood Police Officer program and the School Resources Officer program. Bates also established a Community Relations Unit that interacts and responds to community needs in addition to addressing and providing services to those who are homeless. Recently, a Youth Police Academy program was implemented to continue to develop relationships and build understanding with high school students.
The Garland Chapter of the NAACP has twice recognized him as Bridge Builder of the Year, in 2009 and 2015. GAFHA honored Chief Bates with their Community Service Award in 2015.
Leaders of local community groups praised Bates. .
GAFHA President Tony Torres said, “Chief Bates will be missed in his current role due to his integrity and commitment to community policing. I look forward to working with him in his new position as Deputy City Manager.”
“Mitch has modeled the behavior we expect in a police chief, public figure and father. He has set the bar for all future chiefs,” said Garland NAACP President Ricky McNeal. “Garland is positioned for success due to his management of GPD and willingness to listen and implement changes. Mitch is truly a servant leader.”
“I would sincerely commend Chief Bates for the work he is doing to keep us safe and feel important. Thanks once again for everything that he is doing to uphold the rule of law in Garland. Like me, many grateful members of the public appreciate his valuable work. We are extremely happy for him,” said Jennifer Nguyen of the Asian American Citizens Council.
“Chief Bates has made a difference in our police department and our city. He has improved diversity and public relations by displaying compassion and providing open communications,” said Chester Johnson of the Garland NAACP.
Bates said he is honored and humbled to be selected to serve as deputy city manager.
“I hope to continue to serve the wonderful people in this community and the wonderful people in this organization,” he added.
Bates obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University in Business Analysis: Design and Analysis of MIS Systems. He earned a Master of Science from the University of Texas at Dallas in Organizational Behavior.
He is a graduate of the 220th Session of the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police sponsored by the Police Executive Research Forum at the prestigious Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Bates is a member of several law enforcement organizations and is a graduate of Leadership Garland – Class #19 (the “best class”).
Information and photo provided by city of Garland.