Deputy Police Chief to Join Hulman Motorsports

Monday, January 4, 2016 11:25 AM EDT
By Alex Brown
Deputy Police Chief to Join Hulman Motorsports Bates has served with IMPD for nearly 30 years.

A deputy chief of police with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department will join Hulman Motorsports later this month. Michael Bates will serve as Senior Director of Safety and Security beginning January 14.

Bates will be responsible for developing, refining and implementing safety and security plans for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR. That includes defining policies, procedures and best practices for public safety, security and emergency preparedness at IMS and at all Verizon IndyCar Series races.

"Keeping everyone safe and ensuring a worry-free trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and all Verizon IndyCar Series venues will always be mission critical," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of IMS and the Verizon IndyCar Series. "Mike has been an outstanding leader of safety and security efforts for every major event Indianapolis has thrown in recent years, including the Super Bowl. He knows what it takes to develop and execute a world-class public safety plan at high-profile venues and he is the right individual to take on this responsibility for us."

A nearly 30-year veteran of IMPD, Bates has led the department’s homeland security division since 2010. During that time, he coordinated safety and security efforts for all large events in Indianapolis, including Super Bowl XLVI, NCAA Final Four tournaments and Big Ten Conference championships, among others.

"I’m honored to join the team at Hulman Motorsports and work on behalf of racing fans from across the country and globe who see the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other INDYCAR venues as second homes," Bates said. "No one hosts major sporting events better than the city of Indianapolis and I’m proud to say our safety and security planning is a major contributor to our stellar reputation. I plan to take the lessons I’ve learned and the relationships I’ve built throughout my public safety career and put them to good use in this new role."

Story Continues Below