FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Bethany, Okla.] — Chad Meek came to Southern Nazarene University in 1997 from Mesquite, Texas, on a
scholarship to play the string bass. While studying sociology with an interest in law, he took a
class that required students to participate in police ride-alongs. That experience sparked an
interest in public safety, leading him to build relationships with local officers and discover, as he
puts it, "a career that provided meaningful purpose where you could help and serve others."
In 2001, Meek began his law enforcement career as a volunteer Reserve Officer with the City of
Bethany Police Department. In 2002, he was hired as a full-time Police Officer and spent four
years serving as a School Resource Officer for Bethany Public Schools. After returning to patrol
in 2006, he worked in Investigations before being promoted to Lieutenant in 2011, Deputy Chief
in 2020, and Chief of Police in 2026. In 2025, Meek was selected to attend the Federal Bureau
of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where he trained alongside 250 law
enforcement executives from around the world- an honor extended to just 2% of law
enforcement personnel.
Meek credits his time at SNU with shaping both his faith and his approach to serving others.
"SNU was vital in building my relationship with God but also surrounding me with people who
wanted to invest in me. While my professors taught me and built my knowledge within
academics, it was their compassion and desire to see me grow that stood out."
Today, as Bethany's Chief of Police, Meek serves the same community that helped shape him.
He and his wife of 21 years, Beth (Hilton) Meek, an SNU alumna, live in Bethany with their
daughters, Reagan and Ryleigh. They attend and serve at Bethany First Church of the
Nazarene.
Southern Nazarene University, located in Bethany, Oklahoma, is a private Christian institution committed to shaping servant leaders since 1899. With more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs offered on campus and online, SNU emphasizes accessibility, purpose-driven education, and holistic student support.