Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent, Colonel Erik Smith announced that Captain Christopher Bauer has been promoted to Major. He will serve as Commander of the Protective Services Bureau, overseeing Troop K – Capitol Police, Troop L – Executive Protection Unit, and Troop R – Crisis and Threat Management.
Bauer joined the Patrol on July 9, 2000, as a member of Class #35. His first duty station was in McPherson County, Troop C. In January 2014, he was promoted to Technical Trooper and served in the Breath Alcohol Unit (BAU), Troop J. In 2017, he was promoted to Lieutenant, serving in the BAU and as Administrative Lieutenant for Troop J – Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy. On August 23, 2020, he was promoted to Captain of Troop J, where he served until his recent promotion.
In addition to his primary duties, Bauer attended the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command and completed Police Supervision: The West Point Model Facilitator. In 2015, he received the Patrol’s Lifesaving Award for negotiating with a suicidal victim and preventing the victim from harm.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Bauer graduated from Lutheran High School South. He attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science. Prior to joining the Patrol, he served with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and the Garden City Police Department. Additionally, Bauer has served on the Smoky Valley School Board since 2014 and is an active member of Lindsborg Masonic Lodge #397.
The Patrol congratulates Major Bauer on his promotion and wishes him the best in this position
