Oklahoma City Police Department
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The Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) is the police department of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Originally founded in 1889, it presently employs 1,057 commissioned officers and 300 civilians.
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[edit] Mission
The men and women of the Oklahoma City Police Department are committed to enhance the quality of life and lessen the fears of all citizens.
Utilizing the authority and safeguards of the Constitution of the United States and the freedoms cited in the Bill of Rights, the laws and statutes of the State of Oklahoma and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Oklahoma, the members of the Oklahoma City Police Department, work cooperatively with all segments of the general public and government to provide a safe environment and preserve the peace. This partnership is drawn on the premise that our product be one of service to all citizens with special focus toward solving real and perceived problems within the community. Our remedies and resources shall be from all levels of government, working in concert, to accomplish our desired goals. Thus, as a Department of, and behalf of, the City of Oklahoma City, we obligate ourselves toward becoming a catalyst for positive interaction between all services and functions to the City.
[edit] History
As the sun rose over the prairie on the morning of April 22, 1889, seven thousand eager settlers stood impatiently along Kingfisher Creek, waiting for the sound of the gun that would open central Oklahoma to homesteaders. In just the short time span of noon to nightfall, the settlers staked their claim in the unassigned land. "It was a great day to commence the building of an empire," wrote one chronicler several years later. Staking their claims on land that became Oklahoma City, these "Sooners" began the process of carving a civilization from the wilderness. From a barren, peopleless prairie on the eve of the Run, over 5000 settlers founded the town of Oklahoma City in one single day. A municipal government was established quickly in the new "Town of Oklahoma". In the area below Grand Avenue, the town of South Oklahoma was formed and stretched south to the North Canadian River. This secondary town lasted only one year, until the two merged and became the City of Oklahoma City in July 1890.
Law enforcement quickly became the top priority for local officials. Mayor Gault appointed Charles Colcord as the City's first Chief of Police. Colcord was not alone in his efforts. John "Big Man" Hubatka, a Deputy U.S. Marshall, joined Officers William Gill, F.M. "Bud" Reynolds, and Abner J. Day in rounding out the first department. Colcord retired from the Oklahoma City Police Department after two years of service. Between 1891 and 1895, the office of the Chief changed hands five times.
By the turn of the century, public drinking had caused many problems for the small Department. Nevertheless, the attitude of the Police Department towards prohibition was mixed. Yet the advocates of prohibition represented an over powering force in Oklahoma politics. When a prohibition referendum was submitted to the voters on the same ballot as the State Constitution, it was approved by a margin of six percent. For law enforcement authorities who feared "3000 bootleggers substituting for 30 saloons", prohibition in Oklahoma City afforded some of the wildest and most dangerous moments for local officers. As it became increasingly obvious that city dwellers wanted their booze and were willing to pay for it, charges of official corruption surfaced. A new City Charter was adopted early in March of 1911. One of the Charter's provisions changed the office of the Chief of Police from elective to appointive. Four months later, Mayor Whit Grant named Bill Tilghman to the office. Tilghman had long been a legend on the Western frontier. From the earliest days of the Territory, he had served as a U.S. Marshal tracking outlaws across the prairie. Under his charge, the Police Department hammered into gambling and prostitution operations, and began the long transition from a small, un-mechanized organization into a modern, efficient force.
Oklahoma City grew rapidly after 1910, when the State Capitol was relocated from Guthrie. As the decade turned, the urban population passed 66,000. By 1920, it was nearly 100,000. The ballooning population and the coming of the War presented several new challenges to the Police Department. As in other parts of the country, war fever took Oklahoma City by storm. Patriotic sentiment was high, and on occasion, overzealous citizens brought the war home by committing acts of vandalism on German-owned businesses. Drifters passed through the City in increasing numbers, and police officers were charged with searching out draft evaders from among the transients. As Chief of the Department from 1916-1919, W.B. Nichols ordered the confiscation of seditious and pro-German books, under direction from the U.S. Department of Justice.
As the War ended and the Teens became the Twenties, the Oklahoma City Police Department began a period of unprecedented growth. By expanding from a total force of 90 officers in 1920 to 150 in 1923, the Department reflected a realization that modern times required a modernized police force. The appearance of the automobile on Oklahoma streets changed the face of law enforcement by encouraging the establishment of the Traffic Department and the first motorcycle squad during the late Teens. A small mounted patrol soon followed, patrolling residential districts and directing traffic at busy intersections. Shortly before the War, a Gamewell electric call box system was installed on city street corners, and beat officers were required to report to the Operator at least once every hour.
The rules governing the conduct of on-duty officers were strict. Smoking while in uniform was prohibited, as was the pursuit of another job, even while off-duty. As a rule book from the period 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."
As the Twenties ended, the American economy was reaching a point of crisis. In Oklahoma in the early Thirties, a severe drought forced many rural farmers, unable to pay their mortgages, to uproot and head west in search of opportunity. In Oklahoma City, unemployment was high as industrial plants curtailed operations. With the New Deal, public works jobs became particularly attractive, and the Department experienced a rapid rise in job applications. Work conditions for officers were austere throughout the Depression. Patrolmen drove their rounds in unheated cars, and on cold winter days placed warmed bricks wrapped in blankets on the floor next to their feet. Wool uniforms provided some relief from the cold, but when the summer came, the heat almost became too much to bear. Still, at $100 per month, the Police Department was one of the most attractive employers in town.
The business of bootlegging exhibited an increase in popularity during the Depression. Busting the liquor rackets became a major responsibility of the Oklahoma City Police Department during the Thirties. The installation of radio communication in police vehicles significantly enhanced the pursuit and patrol capabilities of Police officers. Under Chief John Watt, vice and bootlegging law enforcement was attended to with renewed vigor and success.
One of the most singular individuals ever to wear an Oklahoma City Police uniform served during the 1930's was the remarkable D.A. Bryce. Known to his friends as "Jelly", Bryce was perhaps the most accomplished marksman and trick-shooter ever to serve in the Department. Bryce began in Oklahoma City as a patrolman, and later was promoted to Detective with the Raiding Squad. Eventually, he left the Department to accept a position as Special Agent with the FBI.
By 1935, Oklahoma City had grown into a major American metropolis. Progress, in the form of heavy industry and agriculture, was everywhere to be seen. With it, came the automobile. In 1930, there were 550,000 registered vehicles in Oklahoma, 10% of which were in Oklahoma City. Downtown, parking and traffic congestion were causing innumerable problems for police and commuters. As a solution to the parking problem, Magee suggested the installation of a series of automated, self-policing meters. On July 16, 1935, the world's first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City. The automated system made it much easier to identify violators, and to defend police summonses in court. By Christmas of 1935, there were 600 parking meters on the streets of Oklahoma City.
The Police Department continued to grow as the Thirties ended. By 1937, 228 men and women worked to enforce the law, including 53 detectives and 17 special liquor-raiders. On April 18, a new Police Headquarters was opened to accommodate the swelling ranks. Located between First and Second Streets facing Shartel Avenue, the five story facility was divided by two steel doors, isolating incoming prisoners from the general public. An assembly-recreation room was included, offering off-duty officers the chance to eat and relax. Bathing facilities were readily available. The jail was on the third and fifth floors, and featured a newly-developed gear and wheel system for operating cell doors. In the fourth floor kitchen, "Red" Robinson prepared meals for the prisoners.
As the Forties began, the dark spectra of War once again hung over America. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, many Oklahoma City Policemen left to join the fight. Throughout the War, the Department suffered from a severe shortage of manpower. To alleviate the problem, entrance requirements were relaxed, and many positions previously held by officers were reclassified as civilian. The police veterans that remained on the force were compelled to shoulder an extra measure of responsibility.
In 1952, the ranks of Major and Sergeant were added for senior division personnel. By the mid-1950's, the OCPD could boast well over 300 sworn officers. In 15 short years, the Department had outgrown its current physical facilities. The Bureau of Records and the Radio Communications division were particularly squeezed for space, despite the addition of a new Court Building adjacent to the Police Station. However, despite the growth in services and professionalism, officers found it difficult to police the ever expanding city. Between 1952 and 1962, the total land area of the City grew from 56 to 480 square miles, an increase in police jurisdiction of over 800%. Yet during the same period, the number of sworn officers only rose from 309 to 320!
In 1959, the voters of Oklahoma repealed the state's prohibition law, and the focus of the Department's work shifted. Free of the need to enforce the old liquor laws, manpower was re-allocated into other areas. While the actual number of criminal offenses reported rose significantly, the clearance rate for major crimes also jumped.
In 1962, Hilton Geer, a former Chief of Detectives, assumed the Department reins from Dan Hollingsworth. Under Geer's direction, a new position of Assistant Chief of Police was established. "Ace" Williams was chosen as the first man to fill the post. The Department's first full-time training staff was hired, and plans were formulated for a police training academy. In 1965, twenty officers from the Patrol Division established the Honor Guard. Today, the Guard serves during parades, police funerals, and other ceremonies as deemed appropriate.
In 1965, the OCPD's present headquarters building was completed at a cost of $2 million. During the late Sixties, the Department's ranks swelled as the passage of a City sales tax enabled police recruiters to offer a more attractive package to applicants. To accommodate the new vehicles that were purchased, the Communications Division added additional radio frequencies and a Modus Operandi Unit was created to minimize the duplication of files and records. With financial assistance from the City and the Title I Higher Education Act, many officers began to take advantage of educational opportunities at local colleges and universities.
As the Seventies began, additional federal and state funds became available for specialized programs. The Law Enforcement Intern Program was established in 1971, enabling unarmed men aged 18-21 to undertake police duties in a Community Service Officer position. Two years later, the OCPD obtained its first helicopter. "Helicopter One" proved so useful that it was purchased by the Department in 1974. The Alcohol Safety Action Project, ASAP, long a dream of police administrators, became a reality in the early Seventies, and has provided a model for the establishment of similar programs across the country. An unrelated yet significant event occurred on January 13, 1974, when Police Officer Shirley Cox became the first female Oklahoma City officer to make an arrest. Cox was one of several women to enter the police academy during the year.
Perhaps the most significant event of the 1970's was the Oklahoma City Police Strike of 1975. For four days, 550 of the 598 officers of the OCPD remained on strike. With the settlement of the labor issue, the Police Department turned its attention toward improving the efficiency of its services. In order to place police closer to the community, two briefing stations were opened in 1978 dividing the patrol division into three separate divisions.
In 1979, computerization was introduced in the Records and Communications Divisions. As a result, many positions became civilianized, freeing more officers for field assignments. New equipment, including additional helicopters, advanced polygraph machines, and a Mobile Evidence Van for on-site preservation of evidence, significantly accelerated the investigation of major crimes. On December 5, 1981, the Patrol Division revived Oklahoma City's Mounted Patrol, utilizing donated horses and equipment.
The 1980's brought a rapid growth in population, increasing crime rates and high-tech police equipment. The Department acquired a Mobile Crime Scene van, advanced serology equipment for analyzing blood, a firearms and tool marks examiner, new Jet Ranger helicopter for patrolling the outlying areas and computerized dispatching. Officers training was upgraded to include some of the latest scientific theories such as accident reconstruction and blood stain interpretation. Patrol shifts were restructured and a Field Training Program (FTO) was instituted.
In 1986 a new monument was dedicated in front of Police Headquarters. The names of each of the officers killed in the line of duty is engraved on the marble slab centered in the plaza displaying the City, State and National flag.
1987 brought two major changes. The first being the take home car program. Officers are permitted to drive the marked units off-duty, thereby increasing the visibility within the community. Secondly the Department was restructured and City law enforcement functions were combined with OCPD. Officers assigned to the Airport Police, Park Rangers and Lake Patrol officers all became members of the Traffic and Support Division.
In 1988, computerization of police reporting became a reality. The Departmental wide computer system provides access to all reports and record files maintained by the Department. Computerization of dispatch was upgraded with a million dollar remodeling of the Emergency Management unit to include 9-1-1 for Oklahoma City residents.
Two new acronyms entered the OCPD vocabulary in 1989 with the addition of FLIR and AFIS. FLIR being the Forward Looking Infrared Radar system installed on the helicopters. This system provides the ability to detect and track objects warmer than the background objects such as humans. FLIR continues to impress officers with the ability to track and locate fleeing suspects especially at night. Technical capabilities of the Department were greatly enhanced with the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This multi-million dollar system maintains nearly a quarter million fingerprints on file and permits comparison within minutes to prints recovered from crime scenes.
1989 brought further expansion within the Department as the Springlake Briefing Station was opened. This joint Police and Fire Station was a first for the City and made possible through a bond issue. Later this same year, citizens voted a 3/4 cent sales tax increase dedicated solely to enhancing police and fire protection. This tax provided for 200 additional patrol officers and replacement of specialized and technical equipment. The tax was a proposed by the citizens and provided for every officer being issued a hand held radio and bulletproof vest.
September 1990 brought a change to the OCPD badge for the first time since the 1920's. A commission numbering system was implemented and the city seal added to the badge.
The 1990's brought about further advancements in technology and specialized programs for the community. Mobile data terminals (MDTs) were installed in each patrol car. These mobile terminals permit calls to be dispatched and officers to perform record checks from their vehicle. Creation of an Equine Testing lab, wherein samples from racing horses throughout the state are tested to insure the horses are free of drugs. Programs such as Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and Initiating Multiple Police Actions against Criminal Targets (IMPACT) were readily accepted within the community. DARE officers teach school students the problems associated with substance abuse. IMPACT officers target specific criminal problems within their Division. The IMPACT program coordinates police response to problems identified by the citizens, neighborhood associations and field officers. Once targeted, IMPACT officers have a multitude of options available to them to insure they stop the criminal activities.
As the Department continues to grow and expand, the Hefner Briefing Station was opened in 1992 providing greater patrol coverage in far north and west Oklahoma City. A new Equestrian Facility and Canine kennel was built to house police horses and dogs.
More recently, the 616 Colcord Building has been acquired and is being remodeled to provide additional office and laboratory work space. Included in the building is community relations, police recruiting and expanded forensic labs to include a DNA lab which is under construction.
Today, Oklahoma City encompasses a total land area of approximately 620 square miles, making it one of the largest geographical sized cities in America. The City boasts a constantly growing population of more than 560,000 citizens and a combined metropolitan population rapidly approaching one million. For the Police Department, the control of such a large jurisdiction requires intensive research to insure the proper allocation of manpower and resources.
Presently, OCPD employs 1,057 commissioned officers and 300 civilians and operates with a budget close to $100 million annually. Funding includes dedicated sales taxes for salaries and most recently a special short term sales tax to fund technological advancements. The Department is managed by three deputy chiefs, each heading a bureau: the Operations Bureau being responsible for calls for police service and policing special events and includes specialized units such as Air Support, K-9, tactical units, etc..; Investigations Bureau which is responsible for all follow-up investigations, technical investigations and laboratory services, property management and the jail; and the Administration Bureau being responsible for communications, records and support services. Administrative matters for the Department and Criminal Intelligence is overseen directly by the Chief and includes a Gang Enforcement Unit who monitors and targets gang activity throughout the metro area.
[edit] Organization
The Chief's Office is responsible for the complete daily operation of Police Department. The Chief of Police is appointed by the City Manager. Chief William Citty was appointed to Chief in October, 2003. The Chief's office oversees the operations of the following units. Special Investigations Division, Emergency Management Coordinator, Public Information Office, Office of Professional Standards, Finance and Personnel, The Fraternal Order of Police, Police Chaplain's office,
The Administration Bureau is commanded by Deputy Chief David Shupe and provides a myriad of functions. The Administration Bureau conducts all the business functions of the Police Department, and includes: Training and Recruiting Division, Planning and Research, Logistic Support, 911 communications center,
The Logistical Support Unit is commanded by Major Ralph Gibson, and includes Supply, Records, Permits and ID's, Crime Information, and the Information Desk.
The Training and Recruiting Division is commanded by Major Mike Hoskins and consists of the Training Unit, the Recruiting Unit and a Safety Officer. The recruiting unit oversees the application process of prospective new officers, investigates the background of applicants and presents the final selection of applicants to the Chief for hiring.
The training unit oversees the training of the police academy, along with the continuing education of the police officers. Some of the courses that the training unit structures for the police academy include: Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Firearms Training, Custody and Control Tactics, Principals of Investigation, First Aid, Minority Relations, Police Community Relations, Upon completion of the police academy, officers must complete a minimum of 16 hours annually in continued training, usually in update forms of the above training.
The Planning and Research Unit is commanded by Capt. Jeff Pierce, and researches new programs for the Department, and keeps the policies of the Department up to date. The Division consists of the Staff Inspections Unit, the Fleet Management Unit, and The Court Liaison.
The Special Investigations Division is commanded by Major Jim Fitzpatrick and consists of the Special Projects Unit and the Criminal Intelligence Unit. These units investigate various criminal activity that does not fall under the Investigations Bureau. The units also assist other local and federal law enforcement agencies. The Special Investigations Division includes the following details. Criminal Intelligence, Gang Intelligence Unit, Criminal Intelligence Unit, Gang Enforcement, Vice Unit, Computer Crimes Unit; Special Projects Interdiction, Narcotics, Drug Courts, C.O.M.I.T.,
The Emergency Management Coordinator establishes standard procedures for managing emergency operations in the field. The emergency management coordinator for the department is Ronnie Warren.
The Office of Professional Standards consists of the Internal Affairs Unit and the Public Integrity Unit. These units conduct investigations, as directed by the Chief of Police, concerning complaints and allegations of misconduct against employees of the Oklahoma City Police Department, as well as City officials and City employees. The Office of Professional Standards is commanded by Captain Larry Rhodes.
The Public Information Office provides the community with a wide variety of information about the Oklahoma City Police Department. We have over one thousand police officers and several hundred non-sworn employees working together in several dozen different units of the police department to keep the 620 square miles of Oklahoma City as safe as possible. The Open Records Act and our department's policies and procedures are some of the guidelines we follow in releasing information from our office. This is mainly done by daily discussions with local television, newspaper, and radio reporters. Some of the other ways we disseminate information include media interviews, news releases, the Citizen Alert Program, and this website. Captain Jeffrey Becker serves as Public Information Officer and commands this unit. Sgt. Paco Balderrama serves as Assistant Public Information Officer. Master Sgt. Charles Phillips coordinates the Crime Stoppers program. Master Sgt. Greg Giltner coordinates the Cops Helping to Alleviate Police Problems (CHAPPS) program. Master Sgt. Gary Knight serves as Technical Writer and coordinates the Citizen Alert Program. The Oklahoma City Police Honor Guard is commanded by Staff Sergeant David Baxter. Click here to contact him. The Oklahoma City Police Honor Guard was originally formed in April of 1964 following the death of Officer Mark Zelewski. To read more about our fallen Oklahoma City Police Officers, click here. The Honor Guard performs a number of ceremonial routines at funerals for Police Officers killed in the line of duty. The routines were taught to officers by members of the "Old Guard" who are charged with guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Honor Guard includes other routines such as the Color Guard, stationing of Casket Guards, and the "21-Gun Salute."
The Operations Bureau consists of the Four patrol divisions and the Uniform Support Division. The Bureau is commanded by Deputy Chief Ken McDonald. The four patrol divisions serve the various geographical areas of Oklahoma City and are each headed by a major. Each of these divisions include over 150 uniformed officers that directly serve the citizens of Oklahoma City every day.The uniform support division is also headed by a major and includes specialized units which support the patrol divisions. Hefner Patrol Division provides uniformed patrol for the northwest section of the City. Santa Fe Patrol Division provides uniform patrol for the southeast and southwest section of the City. Springlake Patrol Division provides uniform patrol for the northeast section of the City. Will Rogers Patrol Division provides uniform patrol for the center section of the City.
Hefner Division is the most recent addition to the Operations Bureau, added in October 1990. Hefner Briefing station, commanded by Major Chuck Foley, is the home of 158 sworn officers and 3 civilian employees. The Division covers 141 square miles of northwestern and far western areas of Oklahoma City on three 10 hour shifts. Lakes Hefner and Overholser, both major recreational areas, are patrolled by divisional personnel utilizing patrol cars, boats and 4 x 4 vehicles.
Springlake Division is the only joint Police-Fire station presently operational in Oklahoma City. Built in February 1990, the station houses 142 sworn officers, 3 civilian employees and a full fire company. The division is commanded by Major Willard Paige and covers 130 square miles in northeastern and northwestern Oklahoma City. Included in the division is the home of the Oklahoma City Zoo, Remington Park racetrack, the Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Will Rogers Division, formerly know as Central Division, was built in 1977 and was originally used only for lineups. The facility now is used as a complete division headquarters. The division is commanded by Major John Scully and is home to 150 sworn officers and 3 civilian employees. Although the division only covers 25 square miles, it encompasses the heart of Oklahoma City, which included a wide spectrum of citizens representing all races, ethnic and socio economic groups. Included in the division is the Myriad Convention Center, Myriad Gardens, City Hall, State Fairgrounds, Brick town and both County and Federal Courthouse complexes.
Santa Fe Division, commanded by Major Charles Allen, covers the most land area of the four patrol divisions. Santa Fe was built in 1978 and is home to 165 sworn officers and 3 civilian employees, and covers 293 square miles of southeastern and southwestern Oklahoma City. Included within the divisions jurisdiction is Lake Stanley Draper, General Motors Car Assembly Plant, Crossroads Shopping Mall and Oklahoma City Community College.
The Investigations Bureau, commanded by Deputy Chief Johnny Kuhlman, consists of: Person and Property Crimes Division, Youth and Family Services, Laboratory Services, The person and property crimes division and the Youth and Family Services investigates various crimes that occur in Oklahoma City. Laboratory services assist with the collection and examination of evidence, processing of crime scenes, and inmate processing.
Youth and Family Services is commanded by Major Ted Carlton, and investigates crimes against children, missing persons and domestic violence. It also provides various other services to children and schools including the CARE unit, which investigates crimes against children Sex Crimes, Domestic Violence, GRAVE (Gun Resistance and Violence Education), PAL (Police Athletic League), Thrive Unit (Truancy Unit), Police Community Relations, Safety Education, Campus Resources, Property Management, Inmate Processing
The Person and Property Crimes Unit investigates crimes that occur within the City limits of Oklahoma City. The person and property crimes Unit is commanded by Major Keith Mann and consists of the following details Homicide, Assaults, Robbery, Missing Persons, Larceny, White Collar, Auto Theft, Burglary, Pawn Detail, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Photo Lab,
Laboratory Services is directed by Ronald Williams and provides numerous laboratory functions. Evidence that is collected at crime scenes are processed by various units including the following. Forensics ServicesSerology/DNA Drug Lab,
Fingerprint ID, Firearms Examiner
[edit] Awards
The Police Medal of Honor, The highest award in the Department. To be awarded to a police officer of the Oklahoma City Police Department who voluntarily distinguishes himself/herself conspicuously by gallantry and extraordinary heroism. The act must be in excess of normal demands and of such a nature that the officer was fully aware of the imminent threat to their personal safety and acted above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of their life.
The Police Cross, to be ranked in the Department next to the Medal of Honor. To be awarded where an officer lost their life in performance of duty under honorable circumstances. The Police Cross may be awarded in addition to any other award the officer may be entitled to in making the supreme sacrifice.
The Police Medal of Valor, ranked next in prominence to the Police Cross. The Medal of Valor is to be awarded to an officer of the Oklahoma City Police Department for exceptional bravery at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, the recipient demonstrating exceptional courage by performing a voluntary course of action in an extremely dangerous situation.
The Police Medal for Meritorious Service, ranked next in prominence to the Police Medal of Valor, may be awarded to an officer who qualifies in the capacity of meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility; the duty reflecting excellence in such performance; distinguishes themselves and the Department by their performance is awarded upon completion of the duty assignment.
