Former Brandon Police Chief Wayne Dearman has confirmed that he is no longer employed with the City of Brandon.

Dearman, a former Trooper from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, was sworn in on October 3, 2022.

We have contacted Brandon Mayor Butch Lee’s office and they have declined comment until the Board of Aldermen can release a statement.

At this point it is unclear who is acting as chief.

Dearman released a statement to Darkhorse Press, and here it is in its entirety:

November 7, 2023

To the Citizens of Brandon:

After 13 months of dedicated service as the Chief of Police for the Brandon Police Department, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the decision was made during executive session at last night’s board meeting by Mayor Lee and the Board of Aldermen to terminate me from my position of Chief of Police.

I have been privileged to serve the citizens of Brandon and have strived to uphold the values of integrity. transparency, and professionalism within the poice department. It has been my highest honor to lead our dedicated officers durine my tenure.

Throughout my time as Chief of Police, I, along with our officers, have worked diligently to serve our community, but we have faced significant challenges. Even through those challenges, we were able to enhance safety and build strong relationships between the police department and our community, includine the youth at each of the five schools in Brandon.

I hope that my successor, the next Police Chief, will find success in leading the department and bringing it on par with our surrounding agences. The citizens of Brandon deserve a well-equipped and adequately-staffed corce force to ensure their safety and security.

Through it all, I have had my loving wife stand beside me every step. Carla and I have prayed each morning and each night for every officer that has and will put on the Brandon Police Department uniform, and we will conitnue to do so, we are very thankful for the many meaningful relatonships that were built along this journey and will treasure those relationships for years to come. It has been my honor to serve the good people of Brandon, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the community for its support and trust in the brandon Police Department during my time as Chief of Police.

Sincerely, 

Wayne Dearman

This is a developing story.