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Franklin, TN – Friends, family, and fellow officers will meet at Police Headquarters Thursday afternoon, 12/19/2013, at 2:00 to celebrate the nearly 28-year career of retiring Franklin Police Deputy Chief Bruce Bateman. His first day on the job: April 14, 1986.

Prior to law enforcement and fresh out of high school, Bateman signed a professional baseball contract with the New York Yankees, playing for three years with their minor league clubs from 1967-1969. A Vietnam Veteran, Bateman served in the United States Army from 1970-1978. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring after 28 years of service.

After graduating from Troy University in 1978, Bateman went to work as a Memphis Police Officer for four years before moving to Franklin. Bateman’s distinguished service to the Franklin Police Department includes promotions to Field Training Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Deputy Police Chief.

Bateman is a 1997 graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy. He is Past President of the Rotary Club of Cool Springs, Leadership Franklin Alumni, and was named 1995 Officer of the Year by the Franklin Exchange Club. Instrumental in helping the Department achieve accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and his role in helping to create the Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy are two of the things he is proudest of. “I’m proud of the fact that the Department has evolved over the years to become a very professional organization with highly trained, professional officers,” said Bateman. “The FPD is highly recognized in the local law enforcement community, and on a national level. It has been such an honor to be a part of it all.”

Chief David Rahinsky said, “Deputy Chief Bateman’s years of selfless service to this Department and our community are representative of his character as a true public servant. He will be missed.”

Franklin Police Department
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