Brian Merten has been a Rockford police officer since May 2013. Merten has worked primarily as a SCOPE ( Specialized Community Oriented Police Enforcement ) officer.

Merten, in his role as a SCOPE officer assisted in an arrested during a protest against local police violence near Rockford City Market on August 28th, 2020. The individuals arrested were part of six charged with Mob Action.

On January 5th, 2021, Merten, working with Dominik McNiece as RPD SCOPE officers initiated the chase of Denzel Dunivant.

At the time of the chase SCOPE officers did not know any crimes Denzel was suspected to have taken part in, did not know his name, did not know of any warrants. All they knew was a black man in Fairgrounds seen the police, and turned the other way.

McNiece in his report wrote that Denzel “looked like he had a warrant”

The other SCOPE officers, Harley Wessner, Lucas Davidson, and Bryce Davis caught up to Denzel Dunivant. They then proceeded to punch, kick and pin down Denzel.

In 2019, Merten made $67,253 in salary + $7,603 in overtime = $74,856 + $25,350 in health insurance + $30,497 pension pay.

In 2020, they made $58,516 in salary + $2,743 in overtime = $61,259 + $25,350 in health insurance + $33,025 in pension pay.

In 2021, they made $93,762 in salary + $10,687 in overtime = $104,448 + $24,960 in health insurance + $34,932 in pension pay.

In 2022, they made $54,076 in salary + $478 in overtime = $54,554 + $25,350 in health insurance + $39,700 in pension pay.

In 2023, they made $98,627 in salary + $19,446 in overtime = $118,073 + $25,350 in health insurance + $46,059 in pension pay.

In 2024, they made $86,640 in salary + $6,647 in overtime = $93,287 + $26,325 in health insurance + $52,059 in pension pay.

If you or anyone you know has been abused, harassed or otherwise mistreated by this officer please email us with the officers name in the subject.