Mitch Bates

We’re having a great time at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center’s Halloween Trick-or-Treat event! This year, three of our Garland Police officers decided to bring a little Hocus Pocus magic to the event, and WOW, did they pull it off! We think Hollywood might need to give them a call! But the real magic of this event is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces! It’s all about providing a safe environment where the kids can enjoy Halloween and collect some goodies. We’re grateful to be part of such a wonderful event! #HappHalloween

Happy Halloween, Garland! From watching for traffic to staying visible after dark, a few simple precautions can make all the difference. Have fun, stay safe, and have a spooktacular Halloween from the Garland Police Department! #HalloweenSafety #Halloween @garlandtxgov

Our very own Detective John Capers made an appearance on The Daytripper! Travel show host Chet Garner recently visited Garland to highlight some of the great places our city has to offer. During the episode, Chet featured Detective Capers' incredible LEGO replica of the Downtown Garland Square, which John officially unveiled to the City on December 4, 2025. Chet, if you ever make your way back to Garland, you'll have to check out John's LEGO replicas of the Garland Police Department and Richardson Police Department! Check out the full episode of The Daytripper here: youtu.be/s_RGDX38avk?si=zDGu… Check out all of Detective Capers' builds at bluelinebricks.com/ @garlandtxgov #legobuild #GarlandLegos

**Garland Police Department Update**   We are pleased to share that at last night’s Garland City Council Meeting, Interim Chief Scott Vornberg was officially recognized by the Garland City Council as the Chief of Police for the Garland Police Department.   With Chief Vornberg’s appointment, several leadership promotions will take effect Sunday, October 11: Interim Assistant Chief Stokes will be promoted to Assistant Chief. Captain Shaabani will be promoted to Deputy Chief. Lieutenant Cummings will be promoted to Captain.   Please join us in congratulating Chief Vornberg, Assistant Chief Stokes, Deputy Chief Shaabani, and Captain Cummings as they begin this new chapter in their careers and continue serving the Garland Police Department and our community. Congratulations to all! @garlandtxgov

NOW HIRING Our next Civil Service Exam is October 24. Now is your opportunity to start a career with a top-tier police department and make a lasting impact in your community. Our in-house academy will challenge and prepare you to build the skills needed for a rewarding career in public service. With competitive pay, excellent benefits, advanced training, specialized units and strong community support, Garland PD a great place to work and know you’ve made a difference. Answer the call and begin your journey with the Garland Police Department. Apply today: garlandpolice.com/481/Recrui… #NowHiring #AnswerTheCall #PoliceRecruiting

Today, we remember Officer Ronnie Ray Lerma, who was killed in the line of duty on September 21, 1998. Officer Lerma was conducting a traffic stop along Interstate 635 near Centerville Road when he was struck. The impact also struck the vehicle he had stopped. Ronnie and the driver of that vehicle were both killed. He was 39 years old. Ronnie began his law enforcement career with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office in 1984 before joining the Garland Police Department in 1987. He served our community for 11 years and left behind his wife and two young daughters. Twenty-eight years have passed, but his service, his sacrifice, and the family he left behind will never be forgotten. Ronnie’s youngest daughter, Emalie, was only five years old when she lost her father. Years later, she began working at the Garland Police Department, carrying his legacy in her own way. For more than nine years, Emalie served as our Crime Victim’s Advocate, helping victims and families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. She dedicated her career to supporting others as they navigated tragedy and circumstances they never imagined they would face. This past Friday marked Emalie’s final day with the Garland Police Department as she prepares to begin a new chapter in her career with a federal agency. This day is filled with special meaning, her first day in the office of her new career is today, September 21, the anniversary of her father’s End of Watch. Emalie, you have always been family, and that will never change. As you begin this next chapter, know that your Garland Police family is right behind you, supporting you and cheering you on. Today, we remember Ronnie, and we are reminded that a legacy can live on in ways we could never have imagined. Officer Ronnie Ray Lerma End of Watch: September 21, 1998 “Sleep with Angels”

Today marks the start of the 2026 Texas Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association Training Convention, proudly hosted by the Garland Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Throughout the week, Citizens Police Academy alumni from across Texas will come together to hear firsthand stories from law enforcement professionals, share best practices, and learn new ways to better support and serve their local police departments and communities. It’s inspiring to see so many citizens from across the state come together in support of law enforcement throughout Texas. Thank you to every Citizens Police Academy alumni member for your dedication, service, and commitment to your communities. We really are better together.