HIGHLIGHTS

M.A.D.D. KANSAS LAW ENFORCEMENT HERO AWARD

In January, MPO Beau Soucie received the 2022 Mothers Against Drunk Driving Kansas Law Enforcement Hero Award for a small agency. This achievement is due to his passion for DUI enforcement to make our streets a safer place for all. Soucie made 121 DUI arrests in 2022.

Awesome work, Officer Soucie! Thank you for keeping us safe!

Recognition

MPO Nick Moeller in October received a Valor Life Saving Award from the Metro Chiefs Association for helping save the life of a man who was electrocuted.

Promotions

Maj. Chris Brokaw was promoted from captain in April. He’s a 22-year veteran with the Merriam Police Department.

In June, 7-year veteran Sgt. Kristin Jasinski was promoted from master police officer, and Rashad Castaneda was promoted from MPO to sergeant in July.

Officers Trey Daniels and Nick Moeller were promoted to MPOs in June, Officer Brandon Bates was promoted to MPO in July, and Officer Nick Fling was promoted to MPO in September.

Retirements

Capt. Todd Allen rose the ranks and retired in July after 26 years with the department.

Sgt. Jason Reynolds served 22 years before retiring in July.

Sgt. John Walton retired in May after 24 years of dedicated service.

Service Awards

In January, Officer Gerry Eickhoff was honored with 30 years of service and Crime Analyst Seth Potts was recognized with five years of service with the Merriam Police Department. MPO Beau Soucie in April received a service award for five years of service.

Community Service Officer Jennifer Chowning in August was recognized with five years of working for the City of Merriam.

New Staff

We welcomed three new members to our team. Officer Mike Russell and Community Service Officer Gavin Caldwell started in September. Officer Grant Michael started in October and begins training with the Johnson County Police Academy in January 2023.

Officer Of The Year

Master Police Officer Trey Daniels has served with the Merriam Police Department for six years. He’s dedicated to his job and always willing to help others, especially when it comes to covering staffing shortages and coordinating the police department’s role in the Turkey Creek Car Show.

Daniels has taken on numerous responsibilities in addition to his regular duties. He’s the lead instructor of defensive tactics, a taser instructor, on Merriam’s bicycle unit, a police training officer, on the employee appreciation committee, and a drone operator.

Daniels always maintains a high fitness level and encourages other officers to do the same. He also has high range scores. Daniels’ peers noted that the most impressive quality about him is that he always has an upbeat, positive attitude.

Daniels is a shining example of the police department’s core values of courage, sacrifice, and compassion.