PC Bates' first encounter with a resident of Emmerdale (aside from his colleague Donna Windsor-Dingle) was in May 2007 when he and Donna pulled Eric Pollard over for speeding.
After Donna's stepbrother Jamie broke up with his girlfriend Louise Appleton in July 2007, Donna suggested 'arresting' Jamie and bringing him to The Woolpack so Louise can declare her feelings. However, Bates arrested Jamie's father Bob, but the mix-up was immediately resolved. Later that same month, Bates arrested Pearl Ladderbanks and Duke Woods when they hurled stones at Pearl's former home Jacobs Fold.
In September 2007, Bates and Donna were at a burger van when they received a call about a van that was previously used in a robbery going into a multi-storey car park. The van was driven by Eli Dingle, who had kidnapped his brother and Donna's husband Marlon. Donna was the only one who heard the shout and drove the car to the scene, leaving Bates behind.
In August 2008, Bates was at the scene when Donna and Ross Kirk were involved in a car accident while chasing down conman Freddie Yorke, who was responsible for framing Donna's mother Viv for fraud.
Bates arrested John Barton in August 2009 for wrongful imprisonment after John locked Aaron Livesy in a barn after Aaron tried to set fire to some hay.