Merriam Police Detective Laura Naegele was promoted to Corporal. Cpl. Naegele’s mother pinned her new badge at the promotion ceremony during Monday’s City Council meeting.

Cpl. Naegele has worked for the Merriam Police Department since 2010. Before being promoted to her new position, Cpl. Naegele worked in the investigations division since 2015.

Cpl. Naegele said she’s very excited about her new position within the police department.

“I’ve enjoyed my time as a detective, but I’m ready for a new adventure,” Cpl. Naegele said. “I look forward to working patrol again and having the opportunity to be a leader and mentor to the officers I’m supervising.”

Cpl. Naegele is a member of the Kansas City Metro Squad, which provides assistance to agencies that are investigating homicides and other unsolved violent crimes, and she is also involved in Merriam’s Peer Support Team to provide assistance to her co-workers and their families.

“We are proud to promote Detective Laura Naegele to the rank of Corporal,” Merriam Police Chief Michael Daniels said. “She’s a great example of the high caliber of officers we have serving the citizens of Merriam.”

Cpt. Naegele graduated from the Johnson County Regional Police Academy in 2011 and has worked in Merriam her entire police career. She also served as a dispatcher for the Kanas City, Kansas Police Department from 2008-2010.

Merriam Police Officer Kristin Hannabass was also promoted at Monday’s ceremony. She’s now a master police officer (MPO). MPOs are non-supervisory positions, but the promotion recognizes that she has had high job performance evaluations. Requirements to become an MPO include serving at a police department for at least three years, 40 plus hours of specialized training, and two letters of recommendation from their superiors.

Cpl. Laura Naegele gets pinned by her mom.

Mayor Ken Sissom and Merriam Police 

Chief Michael Daniels congratulate Cpl. Naegele.

Mayor Ken Sissom and Merriam Police Chief 

Michael Daniels congratulate MPO Kristin Hannabass.