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John L. Bates announces his candidacy as a Democrat for the office of the sheriff of Bryan County.

Bates has more than 15 years of experience in the field, operations, and investigations. He has experience in making arrests, report-writing, writing/serving search warrants, and transporting prisoners as well as testifying in state, tribal, and federal Courts.

“I have been a resident of Bryan County over forty years,” Bates said. “I have an intimate knowledge of the land and people who live here. I know this gives me an edge over other the candidates in this race.”

Bates is the proud father of Jacob and Harrison Bates. His immediate family all live here in Bryan County.

“I intend to improve the safety of this county not only for my family but your family also,” Bates said. “As sheriff I will not only monitor my personnel, but go out into the field to work cases. I will also seek out grants for personnel, equipment, and training to better serve the people. I will cooperate with local, state, and federal authorities in order to achieve my goal of making our area a safer place to live.

Bates believes the primary function of the sheriff’s office should be to investigate crimes involving people and property. Especially crimes against children and the elderly are of particular importance to him.

“I have been a detective for the last eight years of my career,” Bates said. “I can attest to the ever-increasing drug-related crimes in Bryan County. I have seen families destroyed by the use of illegal and prescription drugs. Most crimes in Bryan County can be directly attributed to substance abuse. I have worked murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, and thefts that all were drug related. I promise to continue to go after drug dealers and manufactures to stop this horrible plague on our community.

“As your sheriff, I promise the office of sheriff will keep evolving as we grow as an agency. Recently computer programs that assist us in finding stolen property have been purchased, Thermal imaging technology has been obtained by a grant, and ’ Mobil Cop’ dispatching have all been incorporated to assist us in fighting crime. The department helicopter and airplane have been used to pick up prisoners and find missing persons. The sheriff’s office must continue to change with times to remain a modern police force.”

The establishment of a “Tip Line” and “Community Policing Program” will be a goal of Bates to enhance public cooperation in solving area crimes. Information from area residents has been the key to solving many cases in the past.

“My mission as your sheriff will be to prevent, reduce, and disrupt crime through aggressive, professional, and compassionate enforcement of the law,” Bates said.

Personal and Professional Information

Bates was born and raised in Bryan County, Oklahoma. His parents are Charles and Carolyn Bates of Durant, Ok.

He attended Durant Public Schools and graduated from Durant High School in 1988.

He attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation in 1996.

In 1998 Bates was hired by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Tribal Police. He graduated with a Basic Police Certification from the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training Academy in 1999 (Oklahoma City).

He was cross-commissioned as a deputy sheriff by the sheriffs of Latimer and Pittsburg County, Oklahoma while employed by the Tribal Police 1998-2001.

In 2002 he was hired by the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. Hewas promoted to the rank of detective in 2004.

In 2008 he was promoted to Detective/ Sergeant. I also obtained an ”Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate” from Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training in 2008.

In 2010 he graduated from the Oklahoma Criminal Investigators Academy in Ada, Oklahoma.

In April 2005 and June 2009 he was sworn in as a “Special Deputy Marshal” to assist the US Marshal Service with “Operation Falcon.”