Employee Spotlight - SRO Brian Brown

Published on November 29, 2021

SRO Brian Brown joined the Maricopa Police Department in April 2014, where he was a lateral transfer from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Department (NCSO) in Arizona.  Since coming to MPD, Brian has worked in our patrol and criminal investigations divisions and in our school resource unit, where he currently serves as a school resource officer (SRO).  Brian is a life-long practitioner of martial arts and is a phenomenal defensive tactics instructor for our department.  

Prior to getting into law enforcement, Brian grew up in a military family and lived abroad in Germany and in various locations across the United States.  When Brian was a teenager, his family moved to Show Low, AZ.  There, Brian grew up and attended high school, where he eventually married his high school sweetheart.  

Following in his father’s footsteps, Brian joined the U.S. military when he was 20 YOA and served in the Navy and the Army as a combatives instructor and a staff sergeant.  Brian served in three overseas deployments and retired from the military as a decorated combat veteran.  Thanks for your service!  

Brian says it was an experience during one of his deployments, which influenced him to go into law enforcement.  Growing up, Brian had always respected and revered the police, but it was during an intense firefight in Iraq that he made a promise to himself that if he got out of there safely, he would make something of himself in a different way.  Brian believed that becoming a cop was the best way to do that!  

Hobbies / Other Interests:

• Scuba diving.
• Airsoft.
• Martial arts.
• Traveling.
• Home improvement projects (he even watches the house-flipping and remodeling shows) and finds this all very therapeutic!  

Favorites:  

• Sports team:  Denver Broncos.
• Restaurant:  Texas Roadhouse.
• Ice cream:  Mint chocolate chip – any brand.  
• Movie:  Last of the Mohicans.
• Music:  Soundtrack from Last of the Mohicans. 

Best vacation: 
Scuba diving trips to Belize and Jamaica.  Brian says the beautiful surroundings and aquatic life are just amazing.  

Most embarrassing moment: 
One night, when Brian was a deputy for NCSO, he responded to a barking-dog call, at around 2:00 AM, in Pinetop-Lakeside.  Brian said he found the dog, but unfortunately also came face to face with what the dog was baring at, a black bear.  Brian said he was so startled, that he squealed like a little child and sprinted back to his patrol car.  Brian will never forget that experience -- nor the next-door neighbor, who couldn’t stop laughing as he watched (from his porch) Brian running and squealing back to the patrol car!  No worries Brian, we’ll edit that one out!  

Proudest accomplishments: 
While in the military, getting out of Iraq alive.  Watching his son graduate from Marine Corps Boot Camp.  

Career Highlight: 
Working as a detective, achieving convictions for child sex crimes and homicide cases.  

Favorite part of the job: 
Being an SRO; being proactive and keeping kids safe and helping them to stay out of trouble.  Brian enjoys the camaraderie and the team spirit of his job.  He enjoys being part of something bigger than himself and he enjoys being able to do things each day that most people only get to see on TV.  

Least favorite part of the job: 
Paperwork!  

Worst job ever: 
When Brian was in the military, prior to being in law enforcement, he and his fellow soldiers had to perform human waste disposal at their campsites.  It wasn’t referred to as human waste disposal, but the process involved burning the fecal matter with diesel fuel.  Brian said that was the worst job he’s ever had.   

Definition of success: 
Brian’s definition of success is getting through this job and being able to retire.  

Role models: 
Instrumental in Brian’s life were Pinetop-Lakeside Police Lt. Stephan Birdsong and Show Low Police Ofc. Darrin Reed, who both had a huge influence on Brian.  Lt. Birdsong was Brian’s field training Ofc., his first sergeant, and his eventually his lieutenant.  Lt. Birdsong taught Brian how to slow down, how to think, and how not to over-think.  Ofc. Reed taught Brian about maturity, communication, and taught Brian how to talk to people.  

Unfortunately, Ofc. Reed’s EOW occurred in Nov. 2016, when he was shot and killed while responding to a call of a suspicious person – a reminder to us all about the danger cops face in this noble profession.  We will never forget Ofc. Reed and all of the law enforcement officers and military soldiers who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and justice.    

Brian, we are so glad to have you on our team!  It’s an honor to serve with you.  

Well, that concludes this edition of the MPD Employee Spotlight.  Stay tuned for the next edition, coming soon!