New Brandon Police Chief Wayne Dearman joins the ranks the first week of October after a career that includes decades of local and state law enforcement as well as time in the military.

Chief Dearman replaces retiring Chief William Thompson. Thompson dedicated 27 years of service to his career in law enforcement, nine of which were spent as chief. Brandon is grateful for Thompson’s commitment to the safety of the community and his leadership during a time of growth in the city.

Chief Dearman is a native of Leakesville, where he graduated Greene County High School in 1990. As a junior there, he joined the Mississippi National Guard, where he then spent six years serving with the 890th Engineer Battalion.

In 1993, Chief Dearman began his law enforcement career as an officer with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, where he later became a K-9 officer. During this time, he also joined the Leakesville Police Department as a part-time patrolman. Continuing his career in law enforcement, Chief Dearman graduated from the Mississippi Highway Patrol Cadet Class 55 in the year 2000.

Throughout his tenure with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, he served in numerous roles before retiring as a Lieutenant with the Mississippi Highway Patrol in 2022. These roles included Executive Protection with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, assigned to the Governor and the Mississippi Speaker of the House for six years. Wayne also served as TAC Officer at the Mississippi Highway Patrol Training Academy, Director of Emergency Operations for DPS, Statewide ESF-13 Coordinator, and MHP Law Enforcement Communications Coordinator.

Wayne made Rankin County and Brandon home 22 years ago, where he resides with his wife Carla and their daughter Carley. Wayne and Carla also have two adult children, son Blake and daughter Ryan.

Dearman will be sworn-in at the Board of Alderman Meeting on Monday, October 3, 2022.