Police 'Proud' to Promote Longtime Hampton Officer

After placing first in the department with high marks on the sergeant's exam, Hampton Police Officer Scott Bates has been promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Bates was sworn in on Monday, and during the ceremony his wife and children pinned his new badge and stars to his uniform in front of a large crowd at Town Hall.

"It's always the most competitive position to achieve in any police department," said Chief Jamie Sullivan about the sergeant rank. "We're very proud of Scott."

Bates joined the Hampton Police Department in 1995 as a part-time officer. He became a full-time officer in 2005, and Sullivan said he's "very pleased" to see Bates achieve the new rank.

A sergeant's position opened recently due to the retirement of Sgt. Joe Galvin, the department's prosecutor.

"I'd like to thank my wife Jane and my kids for putting up with me for the last three months," said Bates, adding that "it wouldn't have been possible" if not for the "support of everybody" in the department and his family.