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Police Academy Faculty

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Michael Murray, Director
913-469-8500 (Ext. 3171)

Michael C. Murray is a law enforcement executive with 32 years of service in policing, spanning operations, investigations, administration, and organizational leadership. He retired from the Lee’s Summit Police Department at the rank of Captain, where he led strategic initiatives, enhanced organizational performance, and promoted a culture of accountability and professionalism.

During his career, Michael led teams across Professional Standards, Investigations, Tactical Operations, Traffic Safety, and Patrol. He managed complex investigations, critical incidents, and large-scale public safety initiatives while emphasizing mentorship and the development of ethical, forward-thinking leaders.

Michael is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, a nationally recognized executive leadership program for law enforcement professionals. He has complemented this achievement with extensive experience in leadership development, organizational management, and public safety training.

In addition to his law enforcement service, Michael serves as Director of Training and Logistics for Mitigation Dynamics Institute, an international risk mitigation firm providing specialized training to healthcare, corporate, governmental, and educational sectors. His expertise in crisis management, behavioral response, and incident command has contributed to nationally recognized training programs focused on safety, leadership, and resilience.

As Director of the Police Academy, Michael is committed to preparing the next generation of law enforcement professionals through a strategic, experience-driven, and student-centered approach grounded in integrity, service, and continuous improvement.

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Matt Bregel, Staff Instructor

Staff Instructor – Traffic Law, 4th Amendment, Search Warrants, Prisoner Care and Liability, Promoting Public Trust, Interrogation, Rules of the Road, Vehicle Stops, Courtroom Procedure, Domestic Violence, and Plain Cloths Off Duty Considerations

Officer Matt Bregel began his career in 1997 with the Overland Park Police Department. He has more than twenty-five years of law enforcement experience including eleven years of supervisory experience.

Matt graduated from the Johnson County Regional Police Academy’s 51st class. He spent his first four years as a patrol officer and served as a field training officer, an evidence collection technician, and a precision rifle operator on the S.W.A.T. team. He was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division and spent five years as a Persons Crimes Detective.

Matt’s next five years were spent as a detective in the Office of Professional Standards and part-time Public Information Officer out of the Chiefs Office. Matt was then assigned as the full time Public Information Officer until he was promoted to Sergeant in 2011. He supervised a patrol team for five years and served as a Field Training Officer Sergeant before being reassigned back to the Criminal Investigations Division as a Detective Sergeant over Violent Crimes and Domestic Violence. He served in this position as a member of the Metro Squad and Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team for five years. In February of 2022 Matt was assigned as a full-time Instructor at the Johnson County Regional Police Academy.

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Trey Daniels, Staff Instructor

Staff Instructor - Defensive Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Taser, Chemical Agents, Handcuffing, Baton, Building Search, De-Escalation, Risk Management During Arrest, Critical Thinking

Officer Trey Daniels began his law enforcement career in 2016 with the Merriam Police Department. During his tenure in Merriam, he served as a Master Police Officer, Field Training Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Taser Instructor, and Drone Operator. He was also a member of the department’s Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) and Bike Units. Officer Daniels was named Officer of the Year in 2022. In 2023, he joined the Olathe Police Department, where he continued to instruct Defensive Tactics and Taser.

Officer Daniels is a graduate of the 118th Class of the Johnson County Regional Police Academy. He was assigned as a full-time staff instructor in 2025.

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Tyler Mantz, Staff Instructor

Staff Instructor - Defensive Tactics, Building Search, Report Writing, Patrol Interviews, Safe Search and Safe Arrest and Prisoner Care and Liability.

Master Police Officer Tyler Mantz started his career in 2017 with the Lenexa Police Department. At Lenexa, MPO Mantz is a field training officer, defensive tactics instructor, a member of the gang unit, honor guard, drone pilot, and a sniper on the Lenexa Tactical Unit.

MPO Mantz is a graduate of the 123rd class of the Johnson County Regional Police Academy. He was assigned as a full-time staff instructor in 2024.

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Wade Willson, Staff Instructor

Staff Instructor – LEO response, Mitigating Threats, Incident/Roadside Safety, TASER, Active Killers, Searching Vehicles, Law, and range master for handgun, shotgun, and rifle

Officer Wade Willson began his career with the Shawnee Police Department in 2005. While at Shawnee, Officer Willson has been a field training officer, Taser instructor, active shooter instructor, and handgun, rifle, and sniper instructor. He is currently the training officer of the tactical team, of which he was a member of for 10 years.

Officer Willson is a graduate of the 79th class of the Johnson County Regional Police Academy.

Officer Willson was assigned as a full-time staff instructor in 2018.