)
, formedyear = 1889
, formedmonthday =
, preceding1 =
, dissolved =
, superseding =
, employees = 1,382 (2020)
, volunteers =
, budget = $226 million (2021)
, nongovernment =
, country = United States
, countryabbr = USA
, national =
, federal =
, international =
, divtype = State
, divname = Oklahoma
, divdab =
, subdivtype = City
, subdivname = Oklahoma City
, subdivdab =
, map = OKMap-doton-OklahomaCity.PNG
, mapcaption =
, sizearea =
, sizepopulation = 649,410 (2018)
, legaljuris = State law and municipal ordnance
, governingbody =
, governingbodyscnd =
, constitution1 =
, police = Yes
, local = Yes
, military =
, provost =
, gendarmerie =
, religious =
, speciality =
, secret =
, overviewtype =
, overviewbody =
, headquarters =
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, a ...
,
Oklahoma
, hqlocmap =
, hqlocleft =
, hqloctop =
, hqlocmappoptitle =
, sworntype = Police Officer
, sworn = 1,235
, unsworntype = Civilian
, unsworn = 300+
, multinational =
, electeetype =
, minister1name =
, minister1pfo =
, chief1name = Wade Gourley
, chief1position =
Chief of Police
Chief may refer to:
Title or rank
Military and law enforcement
* Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force
* Chief of police, the head of a police department
* Chief of the b ...
, parentagency =
, child1agency =
, unittype =
, unitname =
, officetype =
, officename =
, provideragency =
, uniformedas =
, stationtype =
, stations = 10
, airbases = 1
, lockuptype =
, lockups =
, vehicle1type = Various
, vehicles1 =
, boat1type =
, boats1 = 2
, aircraft1type = Helicopter
, aircraft1 = 2
, animal1type = German Shepherd
, animals1 = 9
, animal2type =
, animals2 =
, person1name =
, person1reason =
, person1type =
, programme1 =
, activity1name =
, activitytype =
, anniversary1 =
, award1 =
, website =
, footnotes =
, reference =
The Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD), was established in 1889 following the Land Run. The OCPD is the largest law enforcement agency in the
State of Oklahoma
Oklahoma (; Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, New M ...
and has primary police jurisdiction within the corporate limits of the
City of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, a ...
. The OCPD is one of the oldest police departments in
Oklahoma, tracing its roots back to
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory and the Indian Territories are terms that generally described an evolving land area set aside by the United States Government for the relocation of Native Americans who held aboriginal title to their land as a sovereign ...
.
Specialized services which are part of the OCPD include the
Tactical Team,
K9,
lake patrol,
police aviation
Police aviation is the use of aircraft in police operations. Police services commonly use aircraft for traffic control, ground support, search and rescue, high-speed car pursuits, observation, air patrol and control of large-scale public events ...
,
bomb squad
Bomb disposal is an explosives engineering profession using the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. ''Bomb disposal'' is an all-encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the milit ...
,
counter-terrorism
Counterterrorism (also spelled counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, incorporates the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or ...
,
criminal intelligence
Criminal intelligence is information compiled, analyzed, and/or disseminated in an effort to anticipate, prevent, or monitor criminal activity.
The United States Army Military Police Corps defines criminal intelligence as information gathered or c ...
,
anti-gang,
narcotics, and
airport police. The OCPD is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) is a credentialing authority (accreditation), based in the United States, whose primary mission is to accredit public safety agencies, namely law enforcement agencies, trai ...
.
The OCPD has a
crime scene investigation service and full crime
laboratory
A laboratory (; ; colloquially lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific or technological research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. Laboratory services are provided in a variety of settings: physic ...
, as well as units which assist with electronic and computer crime investigations. In 2015, there were 1,169 sworn officers and 300 civilians employees serving in the department.
History
Formation
![Oklahoma City's First Police Force](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Oklahoma_City%27s_First_Police_Force.jpeg)
The Oklahoma City Police Department was officially formed following the
Land Rush of 1889
The Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 was the first land run into the Unassigned Lands of former Indian Territory, which had earlier been assigned to the Creek and Seminole peoples. The area that was opened to settlement included all or part of Canad ...
in central Indian Territory.
The department began as a small collection of officers. The department's first Chief was Charles F. Colcord and municipal court was held in a small tent near California Avenue.
By the turn of the century, public drinking had caused many
quality of life
Quality of life (QOL) is defined by the World Health Organization as "an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards ...
issues for the small community.
In 1907, Oklahoma voters approved a liquor prohibition.
A new City Charter was adopted early in March 1911. One of the Charter's provisions changed the office of the Chief of Police from elective to appointive. The charter also adopted a
commissioner form of government.
In July 1911, Mayor Whit Grant named
Bill Tilghman
William Matthew Tilghman Jr. (July 4, 1854 – November 1, 1924) was a career lawman, gunfighter, and politician in Kansas and Oklahoma during the late 19th century. Tilghman was a Dodge City city marshal in the early 1880s and played a role in ...
as police chief.
Tilghman had earned a reputation in the Western frontier having served as a
U.S. Marshal
The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States. The USMS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Justice, operating under the direction of the Attorney General, but serves as the enforce ...
, where tracked down
outlaws like
Bill Doolin
Bill(s) may refer to:
Common meanings
* Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States)
* Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature
* Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer
* Bill, a bird or animal's beak
Plac ...
.
Under Tilghman's leadership, the OCPD rigorously targeted gambling, bootlegging, and prostitution rings.
World War I & Post War
![OCPD Paddy Waggon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/OCPD_Paddy_Waggon.jpeg)
During the war, the OCPD established a Traffic Department and motorcycle squad.
The department also implemented an electric
callbox
A call box or callbox is a (usually metal) box containing a special-purpose direct line telephone or other telecommunications device which has been used by various industries and institutions as a way for employees or clients at a remote loca ...
system citywide.
Officers walking a beat were required report with police dispatch by pushing "6-1" on the callbox.
By 1923, the OCPD had expanded from 90 officers to 150.
Additionally, the department created a mounted patrol unit, which began patrolling residential districts and directing traffic.
In 1927, the city adopted a
city manager form of government, in an effort to make city services non-partisan.
In 1928, the OCPD created training courses for officers. Newly hired officers were required to complete the courses.
Great Depression era
America's
gangster
A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Most gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from '' mob'' and the suffix '' -ster''. Gangs provide a level of organization and ...
era ushered in a new paradigm for the OCPD. The crime wave of the
Great Depression forced the OCPD to begin a transition from a loose collection of untrained men, towards a professionalized force. During the Thirties, nine officers were killed in the line of duty.
The OCPD began created a "Radio Patrol Unit" and began installing mobile
radios
Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitt ...
in police cars, which greatly improved the safety and efficiency of officers.
![OCPD Jelly Bryce Image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/OCPD_Jelly_Bryce_Image.jpeg)
Perhaps one of the department's most interesting lawmen emerged during this time. D.A. "Jelly" Bryce, joined the OCPD in 1928.
Known for his dapper appearance, he earned the nickname "Jelly" from fellow officers.
By the early 1930s, Bryce was promoted to the department's "Raiding Squad" as a plain clothes detective.
In the unit, Bryce recovered dozens of stolen cars, and broke-up numerous
bootlegging outfits and gambling rackets.
Bryce was renown for his ability to track down outlaws and gangsters, most notably,
Wilbur Underhill.
Bryce often carried a shotgun and
Thompson sub-machine gun while on duty.
During his law enforcement career, Bryce was involved in 19 gun battles and killed at least 17 men.
However, the exact number is unknown due to poor record keeping at the time.
Bryce was known for his quick draw and was featured in
LIFE magazine.
He was electronically timed at two-fifths of a second to draw and accurately fire.
It was reported at the time that "if a criminal blinked at Jelly Bryce, he would die in darkness."
Bryce left the OCPD and later became an
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, t ...
Special Agent in Charge, before running unsuccessfully for
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of Oklahoma is the head of government of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor serves as the head of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma. The governor is the '' ex of ...
.
World War II & Post War
![Oklahoma City Police circa 1950](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Oklahoma_City_Police_circa_1950.jpeg)
Throughout the
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, the department suffered from a severe shortage of manpower.
As a result, the requirements to become a police officer were relaxed and many clerical positions were filled by civilians.
Following the war, the OCPD began a move towards specialization and professionalization. The department created a training unit.
The unit conducted a 144-hour training course for new recruits.
The department began new investigation units, such as
burglary, traffic accident, white collar crime, and
fingerprint
A fingerprint is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. The recovery of partial fingerprints from a crime scene is an important method of forensic science. Moisture and grease on a finger result in fingerprints on surfac ...
collection.
1960s
During the early 1960s, the OCPD established a
K-9 unit, a
forensics laboratory, and a
police academy
A police academy, also known as a law enforcement training center, police college, or police university, is a training school for police cadets, designed to prepare them for the law enforcement agency they will be joining upon graduation, or othe ...
.
In 1965, the OCPD headquarters building at 701 Colcord Avenue was completed.
In 1969, the OCPD began issuing sidearms to officers.
The department issued officers S&W Model 15
.38 Special
The .38 Special, also commonly known as .38 S&W Special (not to be confused with .38 S&W), .38 Smith & Wesson Special, .38 Spl, .38 Spc, (pronounced "thirty-eight special"), or 9x29mmR is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & ...
s.
In the years prior, officers had been required to purchase their own weapons.
1970s
In the 1970s, the OCPD began the Alcohol Safety Action Project (ASAP) designed to reduce drunk driving.
The department also created a Selective Enforcement Unit, designed to reduce crime in problematic areas.
The OCPD also added a police
helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward and laterally. These attributes ...
and Tactical Team (
SWAT).
In 1972, Shirley (Cox) Conner, Sherry (Hamman) Garcia, Norma Jean (Bowerman) Adams, Julie (Black) Smith, and Gladys (Burns) Loflin became the first female police officers to be employed and assigned to uniformed patrol duties. In the fall of 1975, OCPD officers went on a work slowdown to protest low wages.
On October 24, nearly all of the OCPD's 600 officers walked into
City Hall and placed their
badge
A badge is a device or accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath (e.g., police and ...
s on the city council's conference table.
Over the next three days, the Oklahoma County Sheriff Office and the
Oklahoma Highway Patrol
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is a major state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. A division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the OHP has traffic enforcement jurisdiction throughout the state. OHP was legislat ...
provided police service to the city.
Finally, on October 27, a settlement was reached, which resulted in a pay increase and added benefits for officers.
1980s
In the 1980s the city's population rapid grew, and so did crime rates.
The department implemented new equipment, such a mobile
CSI unit,
forensic
Forensic science, also known as criminalistics, is the application of science to criminal and civil laws, mainly—on the criminal side—during criminal investigation, as governed by the legal standards of admissible evidence and criminal p ...
training for patrol officers, and a
field training program (FTO).
1990s
![Murrah Building - Aerial](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Murrah_Building_-_Aerial.jpg)
On April 19, 1995
Timothy McVeigh
Timothy James McVeigh (April 23, 1968 – June 11, 2001) was an American domestic terrorist responsible for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people, 19 of whom were children, injured more than 680 others, and destroyed one-third ...
carried out the
Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorism in the United States, domestic terrorist truck bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, on April 19, 1995. Perpetrated by two anti-federal go ...
, which was the worst
terrorist
Terrorism, in its broadest sense, is the use of criminal violence to provoke a state of terror or fear, mostly with the intention to achieve political or religious aims. The term is used in this regard primarily to refer to intentional violen ...
attack in U.S. history. McVeigh detonated a
Ryder
Ryder System, Inc., commonly known as Ryder, is an American transportation and logistics company. It is especially known for its fleet of commercial rental trucks.
Ryder specializes in fleet management, supply chain management, and transp ...
truck bomb at the
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building which killed 168 people.
Oklahoma City Police were the first on scene and began rescue efforts. Sgt. Detective Mike McPherson of the Auto Theft Unit and a Bomb Squad member arrived on scene moments after the blast. McPherson assisted the investigators by locating the hidden
VIN number on the axle, which later allowed the
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, t ...
to tie the truck to McVeigh.
21st Century
![2013 Moore Tornado OCPD Image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/2013_Moore_Tornado_OCPD_Image.jpeg)
In response to the tornado outbreaks, the OCPD changed its policy regarding
tornado sirens. Tornado sirens are now activated in localized areas, instead of citywide activations.
![OCPD Scout Car In Front of Headquarters](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/OCPD_Scout_Car_In_Front_of_Headquarters.jpeg)
In the fall of 2015, the department opened a new headquarters building at 700 Colcord Drive. The new building cost approximately $22 million and has a floor area of more than 88,000 square feet. The building houses approximately 300 civilians, detectives, and administrators. In 2021, the previous police headquarters building at 701 Colcord Drive is being demolished.
In 2015, the OCPD announced plans to implement
body cameras
A body camera, bodycam, body worn video (BWV), body-worn camera, or wearable camera is a wearable audio, video, or photographic recording system.
Body cameras have a range of uses and designs, of which the best-known use is as a part of poli ...
for patrol officers with an initial pilot program lasting a year, to be followed by wider adoption.
Office of the Chief
The Chief's offices are located at the main police headquarters at 700 Colcord Dr on the west side of
Downtown Oklahoma City
Downtown Oklahoma City is located at the geographic center of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and contains the principal, central business district of the region. The CBD has over 51,000 workers and over of leasable office space to-date. Down ...
.
The Chief's office oversees the operations of the Special Investigations Division (SID),
Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC), Office of
Media Relations
Media Relations involves working with media for the purpose of informing the public of an organization's mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner. It can also entail developing symbiotic relationships with medi ...
, and the Office of Professional Standards. The Chief's office also has responsibility for finance and personnel oversight of the department and provides direction to the Oklahoma City division of the
Fraternal Order of Police
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is a fraternal organization consisting of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. It reports a membership of over 355,000 members organized in 2,100 local chapters (lodges), state lodges, and th ...
(FOP). Additionally, the office also includes a Police
Chaplain's unit and the C.H.A.P.P.S. program, which assists officers in times of crisis or emotional distress.
Rank structure
Operations
![OCPD Bricktown Sub-station](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/OCPD_Bricktown_Sub-station.jpeg)
Administration
The Administration Bureau provides administrative functions, such as training and recruiting, planning and research, and logistics support. it is located at police headquarters in downtown OKC. it also supervises the
9-1-1 emergency communications center, which is in downtown Oklahoma City. The facility was built in 2002 and is designed to withstand an
EF5 tornado.
Operations
The Operations Bureau provides the bulk of the visible police operations that would be seen by the public. It includes the patrol divisions, as well as several specialized units such as the athletic league and a community relations unit.
There are four patrol divisions and one sub-division, which serve the various geographical areas of Oklahoma City:
* Hefner Division (Northwest Oklahoma City)
* Southwest Division (Southwest Oklahoma City)
* Santa Fe Division (Southeast Oklahoma City)
* Springlake Division (Northeast Oklahoma City)
** Bricktown Sub-division (Bricktown and downtown Oklahoma City)
Uniform Support
The Uniform Support Division includes special units. These units assist patrol officers with specialized skills and equipment. Some of the units are part-time and officers are assigned elsewhere until needed.
[
]
Awards
The department presents a number of medals and ribbons to its members for honorable service. The medals that the OCPD awards to its officers are as follows:
*Police Medal of Honor – The highest award in the department. The medal is awarded for extraordinary act of bravely performed at tremendous personal risk to the officer.
*The Police Cross – The department's second highest award. The cross is awarded to the family member of a fallen officer.
*Medal of Valor – The third highest award. The medal is awarded to an officer for an exceptional act of bravery in the face of peril.
*Police Medal for Meritorious Service – The medal is awarded to an officer for excellent service performed in a distinguished fashion.
The department has awarded service ribbons commemorating the service officers who participated in the search and rescue efforts following the Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorism in the United States, domestic terrorist truck bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, on April 19, 1995. Perpetrated by two anti-federal go ...
. The OCPD also awards officers a ribbon for life-saving action taken during the course of their duties.[
]
Fallen Officers
Since the establishment of the Oklahoma City Police Department, 31 officers and one recruit officer have died in the line of duty. There is a memorial to fallen OCPD officers at police headquarters.
Fallen K-9
About 8:30 AM Friday, March 16, 2001, Joseph L. Meyer, 33, fled on foot the scene of a non-injury accident near NW 36th and Pennsylvania. About the same time Justin Cornielson was preparing to unload cases of Budweiser beer from a tractor-trailer at the Homeland grocery store at NW 39th and Pennsylvania (Penn). Cornielson had just opened the back of his truck when Meyer climbed into the driver’s seat and started driving off. Oklahoma City Police officers started pursuing the stolen beer truck south bound on Penn. The truck turned east on NW 5th street. Cases of beer were flying out on to the street.
As the chase neared Walker Avenue Sgt. Jim Wheatley tried to ram the truck but got his scout car trapped under the truck and was being dragged. Meyer turned the truck right at Walker, freeing the scout car, but lost control and crashed the truck into a building at 500 N Walker.
As officers scrambled out of their cars, police dog Rudy was unintentionally allowed to leave his police K-9 unit and mistakenly attacked Police Sgt. Randy Hall. Hall thought he was being attacked by a neighborhood dog and shot it, killing K-9 Rudy, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois. Rudy had served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for five years with his partner and handler, Sgt. Lyndell Easley. Rudy had served with a law enforcement agency in Michigan prior to coming to Oklahoma City.
Joseph Meyer was arrested near the scene and charged with larceny of a vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to elude police.
In 2014, the department's second line-of-duty death of a K-9 occurred, when police dog "Kye" was stabbed to death by a man attempting to avoid police capture.
Misconduct
History
The OCPD's public integrity unit traces its history to the earliest days of the department. During the World War I era, rules governing the conduct of officers were strict. Smoking while in uniform was strictly prohibited and officers were barred from working other jobs. A department rulebook from the time states, "All members of the Police Department shall be considered as ALWAYS on duty and the same responsibility for the suppression of disturbance and the arrest of offenders rests upon them when not in uniform as when on post of duty."
Office of Professional Standards
Allegations of misconduct are investigated by the OCPD's Office of Professional Standards (OPS). The office is composed of supervisors, who work in conjunction with specialized detective units to investigate claims of misconduct, including those both criminal or unprofessional in nature.[ Following an investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, a Citizen's Advisory Board, composed of 11 ]civilian
Civilians under international humanitarian law are "persons who are not members of the armed forces" and they are not " combatants if they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war". It is slightly different from a non-combatant ...
s from the community, reviews the allegations and the findings of the investigation. Following the review, the civilian board may submit recommendations to the chief of police or the city manager.
Body worn cameras
In 2015, the department announced plans to implement body cameras
A body camera, bodycam, body worn video (BWV), body-worn camera, or wearable camera is a wearable audio, video, or photographic recording system.
Body cameras have a range of uses and designs, of which the best-known use is as a part of poli ...
for patrol officers with an initial pilot program lasting a year, to be followed by wider adoption. The pilot program started in January 2016, but the use of these cameras was suspended less than six months later due to labor disagreements between the department and the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is a fraternal organization consisting of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. It reports a membership of over 355,000 members organized in 2,100 local chapters (lodges), state lodges, and th ...
. After negotiations resolved the labor dispute, the pilot program was restarted in November 2016. The department is committed to expanding camera use, and by February 2017 there were 345 cameras available for deployment. The initial program costs of Watch Guard camera system is reported to be $683,325. This cost does not include the additional personnel required to manage the program.
Scandals
In 1985, the department hired Joyce Gilchrist as a police chemist. In 1994 she was promoted to supervisor. She was fired in 2001 for "flawed casework analysis" and "laboratory mismanagement." She had testified in eleven cases that had resulted in executions and at least one that resulted in a four million dollar settlement by the city because of her faulty testimony.
In December 2010, the department agreed to formally apologize and pay $30,000 to a woman who was mistakenly arrested in front of her grandchildren in 2009, after her name was incorrectly entered into a database by a police clerk.
In July 2011, Oklahoma City police arrested about twenty children who were waiting outside a movie theatre after the movie ended. They were initially charged with curfew violations, although the arrests happened twenty minutes before the 11:00PM deadline. Police Chief Bill Citty admitted the officers involved made a mistake.
In March 2012, Officer Roland Benavides was convicted of gambling offenses and given a five-year deferred sentence. He had resigned from the force the preceding January, after he was caught.
In August 2012, Sergeant Maurice Martinez pleaded guilty to 12 counts of sexual abuse of foster children in his care.
In December 2015 Officer Daniel Holtzclaw
Daniel Ken Holtzclaw (born December 10, 1986) is a former police officer in the United States. He was convicted in December 2015 of multiple counts of rape, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy, and other sexual charges while working for the O ...
was convicted of 18 charges of rape or sexually assault against multiple women (ranging in age from 17 to 57) on his patrol route. He was also found not guilty on 18 charges. Investigations showed that Holtzclaw had run background checks on some of his victims, targeting women with criminal records. Holtzclaw was fired from the department before the trial began in January, and after the guilty verdict was returned, Police Chief Citty issued a statement that "we are satisfied with the jury's decision and firmly believe justice was served". The conviction is controversial. Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin (; Maglalang; born October 20, 1970) is an American conservative political commentator. She was a Fox News contributor and in May 2020 joined Newsmax TV. Malkin has written seven books and founded the conservative websites Tw ...
argues that Holtzclaw was wrongfully convicted in the case, which she calls a "Monstrous miscarriage of justice."
On November 15, 2017, Sgt. Keith Sweeney responded to a call with an emotionally disturbed person, Dustin Pigeon, who was threatening to light himself on fire. Pigeon was holding a bottle of lighter fluid and a lighter. Sweeney, who was the third officer to arrive at the call, has been criticized for escalating the interaction, which eventually resulted in Sweeney shooting and killing Pigeon. After reviewing the incident, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater filed 2nd Degree Murder charges against Sweeney. In an August 2018 preliminary hearing, Oklahoma County Special Judge Kathryn Savage found enough evidence to bind Sweeney for trial.
In mid-2019 the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is an independent state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. The OSBI assists the county sheriff offices and city police departments of the state, and is the primary investigative ...
reported that the department had more than 1,500 untested rape kits in storage.
![OCPD Cadet With Bike Patrol Officer Image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/OCPD_Cadet_With_Bike_Patrol_Officer_Image.jpeg)
Training
Police Academy
Applicants who are accepted into OCPD Police Academy begin their employment as a "Police Recruit" at the OCPD Training Center at 800 North Portland Avenue. The OKCPD police academy
A police academy, also known as a law enforcement training center, police college, or police university, is a training school for police cadets, designed to prepare them for the law enforcement agency they will be joining upon graduation, or othe ...
lasts 28 weeks and is mostly a non-residential academy. Recruits are paid employees while attending the academy.
Field Training Program
The OCPD Field training program (FTO) is modeled after the San Jose system.[ The program requires graduates of the police academy to complete a four- to six-month-long training phase in the field with a senior officer.][ During the FTO program, Recruit Officers are graded daily on more than 30 different categories ranging from personal safety to interactions with citizens.][ Officers must have acceptable scores to continue through the program.][
]
Cadet Program
In 2015, the OCPD entered into an official partnership with the OKC Metro Tech. The partnership created an "OCPD Cadet Academy." The program is designed to prepare high school students for careers in public safety or law enforcement. Students are introduced to the basics of law enforcement, such as defensive tactics, forensic investigations, and criminal law. In addition, cadets receive training in emergency vehicle driving and weapons. The goal of the program is to groom high school students for the OCPD Police Academy.
Vehicles and aircraft
Vehicles
Police vehicles
The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and th ...
used by OCPD include the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (colloquially referred to as the CVPI, P71, or P7B) is a four-door, body-on-frame sedan that was manufactured by Ford from 1992 to 2011. It is the police car version of the Ford Crown Victoria, and wa ...
, Ford Police Interceptor Sedan
The sixth generation of the Ford Taurus is the final generation of the model range manufactured by Ford (in markets outside of China and the Middle East). Introduced for the 2010 model year, the sixth-generation Taurus is the second generation o ...
, Ford Police Interceptor Utility, Ford F-250
The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford since the 1948 model year. Slotted above the Ford Ranger in the Ford truck model range, the F-Series is marketed as a range of full-sized pickup trucks. ...
, Ford Ranger
Ford Ranger is a nameplate that has been used on multiple model lines of pickup trucks sold by Ford worldwide. The nameplate has been used for distinct model lines of vehicles worldwide since 1982 from the compact and mid-size pickup category. ...
, Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala () is a full-size car built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020. The Impala was Chevrolet's popular flagship passenger car and was among the better-selling American-made automobiles in ...
, Chevrolet Tahoe, and the Lenco BearCat
The Lenco BearCat is a wheeled SWAT vehicle designed for military and law enforcement use. It is in use by several military forces and law enforcement agencies around the world.
History
Since 1981 the Massachusetts-based Lenco Industries, known ...
used by the Tactical Team. The departments also uses several types of boats for lake patrol and motorcycle
A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...
s for traffic enforcement.
In 2012, OCPD began transitioning to the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and Ford Police Interceptor Utility for patrol officers. In appearance, the vehicles are all black. The word "POLICE" is printed in large white letters on the side doors, and "We Serve With Pride" appears above the rear wheel wells. The seal of the City of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, a ...
appears on the front doors. An abbreviation denoting the division that the vehicle is assigned to appears on the rear trunk (HF-Hefner, SW-Southwest, SF-Santa Fe, SL-Springlake, BT-Bricktown, WRWA-Will Rogers World Airport, US-Uniform Support, BP-Bike Patrol, G-Gang Unit, T-Traffic). Also printed on the rear trunk area is the car number with the word "POLICE" in small white letters.[
]
Aircraft
In 2014, the department began using two Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil
The Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil (or Squirrel), now Airbus Helicopters H125, is a single-engine light utility helicopter originally designed and manufactured in France by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters). In North America, ...
helicopters. The helicopters are stationed at the department's helipad at the Southwest Division. The helicopters are equipped with Forward looking infrared
Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, typically used on military and civilian aircraft, use a thermographic camera that senses infrared radiation.
The sensors installed in forward-looking infrared cameras, as well as those of other thermal ...
cameras and searchlight
A searchlight (or spotlight) is an apparatus that combines an extremely bright source (traditionally a carbon arc lamp) with a mirrored parabolic reflector to project a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays in a particular direc ...
s. When in flight, the helicopters use the FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic m ...
callsign Air-One or Air-Two to communicate with Oklahoma City Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airs ...
.[ Prior to 2014, the OCPD operated a pair of MD 500E helicopters as its air-support assets.
]
Firearms
In 1990 the department abandoned the S&W Model 65 revolver and began issuing the Glock 17 9mm pistol. The Glock pistol remained the primary issue sidearm of the department until 2017, when it switched to the Sig Sauer P320
The SIG Sauer P320 is a modular semi-automatic pistol made by SIG Sauer, Inc., SIG Sauer's American branch. It is a further development of the SIG Sauer P250, utilizing a striker-fired mechanism in lieu of a double action only hammer system. Th ...
chambered in 9mm. Officers are issued and complete their academy training and probation with the P320. After completing their new hire probation officers may select another firearm from an approved list, but must purchase the gun and supporting equipment at their own expense.
In 2007 the department implemented a patrol rifle program. Officers are selected for the department's patrol rifle school, and upon successful completion are issued a Rock River AR-15. The department also has Remington Model 870
The Remington Model 870 is a Pump action shotgun, pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms, Remington Arms Company, LLC. It is widely used by the public for shooting sports, hunting and self-defense, as well as by law enforcement and mi ...
shotguns that are issued at officer request.
The OCPD Tactical Team uses a range of specialized weapons, including the Rock River AR-15 and Heckler & Koch G36K assault rifle, as well as the Heckler & Koch MP5
The Heckler & Koch MP5 (german: Maschinenpistole 5) is a 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. There are over 100 variants and clones of the MP5, ...
submachine gun and custom made sniper rifles.
In the past the department allowed a variety of weapons, and during Prohibition
Prohibition is the act or practice of forbidding something by law; more particularly the term refers to the banning of the manufacture, storage (whether in barrels or in bottles), transportation, sale, possession, and consumption of alcohol ...
, some officers carried Thompson submachine gun
The Thompson submachine gun (also known as the "Tommy Gun", "Chicago Typewriter", "Chicago Piano", “Trench Sweeper” or "Trench Broom") is a blowback-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed selective-fire submachine gun, invented by United Sta ...
s. The department still maintains some of the historic Thompson guns in its inventory.
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Municipal police departments of Oklahoma
Government of Oklahoma City
1889 establishments in Indian Territory