He is a former chief of police for Miami Beach, Florida,[3] Aurora, Colorado,[4][5] and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

[9][10] After graduating from Bucknell University, Oates took a job as a reporter for the Atlantic City Press.

[10] He walked a beat in New York's 19th precinct, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

[4] He worked his way up the ladder, and later held the position of second of command of New York's Brooklyn South Patrol Borough.

[8] He also served as commanding officer of the legal bureau of the New York City Police Department Cadet Corps.

[8] Due to budget concerns, Oates reduced the size of Ann Arbor's fire and police departments by 20%.

[7] Oates was the chief of police in Aurora at the time of a mass shooting at the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

"[14] Oates received the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police Ralph Smith Innovation Award in 2008.