Oklahoma Highway Patrol
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| Established: | 1937 |
| Commander: | Brad Henry |
| Commissioner: | Kevin Ward |
| Chief of the Patrol: | Jerry Cason |
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is a state law enforcement agency of the Government of Oklahoma. It is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was legislatively created in 1937 due to the growing problem of motor vehicle accidents, the expansion of a highway system, and the increase in criminal activities. Today, we are comprised of highly trained and motivated sworn troopers and civilian personnel who are dedicated to serve the citizens of Oklahoma.
As the principal statewide law enforcement agency in Oklahoma, the State Patrol is dedicated to providing quality policing directed at achieving safer roadways and reducing crime through pro-active investigations, education and patrol services and by providing leadership and resources during natural disasters, civil disorders and critical incidents.
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[edit] History
In 1937, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was created under Governor E. W. Marland. That same year the first 125 graduated from the Highway Patrol Academy. The new state troopers met resistance from Oklahoma motorists who were not used to living within the bounds of traffic regulations when none had ever before existed. But the troopers were prepared for this as they paved the way for all future officers by exerting good manners and service to all citizens. A total of 288,277 warnings compared with only 5,518 arrests and citations were written in the first nine months of patrol. Even today, motorists will declare that troopers are well-mannered, friendly and hospitable while maintaining an unrivaled level of professionalism.
With almost 800 troopers statewide, the division has grown into several areas of special services including Public Information, Capitol Patrol, Lake Patrol, Training, Bomb Squad, Motorcycle, Tactical Teams, Special Operations, Aircraft, Audits and Fraudulent Driver License. The department revived "The Flying Squadron", a motorcycle division that utilizes Harley Davidson motorcycles. A bomb squad was organized who operate state-of-the-art equipment unparalleled in Oklahoma including two bomb trucks and robots. The east and west tactical teams continue to send their troopers through specialized training programs that elevate them to the best in the state. Special Operations, formerly Criminal Interdiction, now has troopers who each have a well-trained drug canine.
[edit] Mission
The mission of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol: Working to provide a safe, secure environment for the public through courteous, quality and professional services.
[edit] Core Values
Loyalty, Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Professionalism, and Self Discipline
[edit] Leadership
As of 2006, Colonel Jerry Cason is the present Chief of Patrol.
[edit] Field Troops
The majority of the members are assigned to the thirteen field Troops, A through M and the turnpike Troops, X and Y. These field troopers are responsible for patrolling Oklahoma's 111,994 miles of city, county, and state maintained roads and highways. Field troopers are first responders to emergency situations from traffic collisions to natural disasters and civil disorders. Troopers provide everyday service to the public, whether it be a motorist assist or promoting Oklahoma to a visitor in the state. Troopers are prepared and willing to assist any law enforcement agency when asked and perceptive to take the initiative to offer assistance when needed.
| District | Headquarters | Coverage |
| Troop A | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Oklahoma, Logan, Lincoln, Canadian, Pottawatomie, Cleveland, and McClain Counties |
| Troop B | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Tulsa, Creek, and Okmulgee Counties |
| Troop C | Muskogee, Oklahoma | McIntosh, Muskogee, Sequoyah, Adair, Cherokee, Haskell, and Wagoner Counties |
| Troop D | McAlester, Oklahoma | Le Flore, Latimer, Seminole, Pittsburg, Hughes, and Okfuskee Counties |
| Troop E | Durant, Oklahoma | McCurtain, Choctaw, Bryan, Marshall, Atoka, Coal, and Pushmataha Counties |
| Troop F | Ardmore, Oklahoma | Garvin, Pontotoc, Murray, Love, and Johnston Counties |
| Troop G | Lawton, Oklahoma | Caddo, Commanche, Cotton, Grady, Stephens, and Jefferson Counties |
| Troop H | Clinton, Oklahoma | Roger Mills, Beckham, Dewey, Custer, and Washita Counties |
| Troop I | Guymon, Oklahoma | Cimmaron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Ellis, and Woodward Counties |
| Troop J | Enid, Oklahoma | Kingfisher, Blaine, Garfield, Major, Woods, Alfalfa, and Grant Counties |
| Troop K | Pawnee, Oklahoma | Osage, Pawnee, Kay, Noble, and Payne Counties |
| Troop L | Vinita, Oklahoma | Washington, Rogers, Delaware, Ottawa, Craig, and Mayes Counties |
| Troop M | Altus, Oklahoma | Kiowa, Jackson, Greer, and Harmon Counties |
| Troop XA | Will Rogers Turnpike | |
| Troop XB | Muskogee Turnpike | |
| Troop XC | Indian Nation Turnpike | |
| Troop XD | Cherokee Turnpike | |
| Troop XE | Creek Turnpike | |
| Troop YA | Cimarron Turnpike | |
| Troop YB | Turner Turnpike | |
| Troop YC | H. E. Bailey Turnpike | |
| Troop YE | John Kilpatrick Turnpike |
[edit] Special Troops
The Special Troops are Troops organized with a specific goal in mind.
[edit] Troop SO - Special Operations
Troop SO is divided into four divisions: Auto Theft, Criminal Interdiction, Evidence, and Asset Forteiture.
- The Auto Theft division provides expertise in the all types of vehicle and equipment identification while aggressively investigating crimes involving vehicle theft and fraud.
- Criminal Interdiction consists of Troopers with special training and equipment to enable them to detect and arrest criminals of all types as they travel on the highways of Oklahoma. This group of Troopers are also trained as Canine Handlers.
- Evidence is responsible for receiving and tracking all evidence and contraband that is seized by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
- Asset Forfeiture tracks all arrests, both in state and federal courts, where the Oklahoma Highway Patrol may be involved in seizure of property.
[edit] Troop R - Capitol Patrol
The Capitol Patrol Section is responsible for law enforcement, police services, safety and protection of the State Capitol Complex in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The Troop has the primary responsibility to provide for the safety and security of all three branches of Oklahoma State government and, in addition, is also the primary law enforcement agency for over 70 state facilities and thousands of citizens, visitors, elected officials, and employees each day.
[edit] Troop ES - Executive Security
The Executive Security Division carries out the Department's statutory mandate to provide protection, security services, and transportation, for the Governor and their immediate family and the Lieutenant Governor.
[edit] Troop MC - Motorcycles
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol re-introduced motorcycles in January 1999 after phasing them out in the early 1940's. Today the Patrol operates a fleet of Harley Davidson Road King police motorcycles. The primary mission of the motorcycle division is traffic enforcement. The motorcycles are assigned to the Oklahoma City metro area, working the high traffic corridors that run through the Oklahoma City area. In addition to traffic enforcement the unit also provides escorts for special events such as Presidential visits and special duties assigned by the Chief's office.
[edit] Troop S
More commonly known as Size and Weights, Troop S is mainly concerned with Commercial Motor Vehicle enforcement. By employing innovative and effective enforcement strategies based upon statistical data, the troopers of Troop S pursue public safety through the reduction of commercial vehicle crashes.
[edit] Troop T - Training
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Training Division is responsible for the entry-level and continuing education of all department employees. The Training Division is comprised of four detachments including Technical Skills, Academy Development, Defensive Tactics, and Legal Research. In addition to these detachments, the training division oversees the day to day management of the Oklahoma Police Corps, and the Statewide D.A.R.E. program. The primary function of the OHP Training Division is to plan, organize, and conduct the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy as well as continuing education programs for all Department employees. The training division is located on the Department of Public Safety grounds in the Robert R. Lester Training Center. The training center houses classrooms, a dormitory, cafeteria facilities, a computer lab, and a physical fitness center sufficient to conduct both an OHP Academy and on-going training concurrently. The facility is also home to the Department’s Command Center as well as the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.
[edit] Troop O - Aircraft
Personnel in this section provide airborne assistance to OHP ground units in traffic enforcement, manhunt and search and rescue operations. This division also provides state administrative personnel with transportation. The department currently operates a fleet of 9 fixed-wing aircraft and 2 helicopters.
[edit] Troop W - Lake Patrol
The marine law enforcement branch of the department provides service to 38 state lakes and recreation areas consisting of 4,385 miles of shoreline and 490,215 surface acres of water. In addition to regular water patrol duties, troopers are called upon to conduct search and rescue missions, investigate boating accidents and drowning incidents and assist state and local authorities in natural disaster situations where their expertise is needed.
[edit] Dive Team
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Dive Team consist of a team made up of troopers & supervisors from throughout the state. Their primary purpose is to provide a recovery team at any location in the state of Oklahoma for the recovery of victims, vehicles, and/or evidence from drownings, vehicle or boating accidents, natural disasters, and the investigation of any criminal act involving the waters of the state. The Dive Team also responds to request for public relations such as displays, festivities, public education, etc.
[edit] D. L. Fraud
Driver License Fraud receives information from individuals desiring to report knowledge of those who have obtained or have attempted to obtain driver licenses or identification cards in a fraudulent manner. This unit also responds to individuals who are victims of false personation whereby their driver license have been suspended in this state or another state. This unit reviews records and reports, collects evidence, interviews victims and suspects and prepares documentation for presentation to state prosecutors for indictments of individuals who are accused of violating state statutes concerning driver licenses and identification cards. This unit also trains troopers and driver license examiners in the area of driver license and identification fraud
[edit] Bomb Squad
The Bomb Squad, consisting of bomb techs and K9s, is responsible for 75 counties (excluding Oklahoma and Tulsa). Bomb techs respond to all bomb calls and are Haz-Mat trained to handle chemical events. They also instruct CLEET and local Fire and Police in explosive and hazardous materials awareness.
[edit] Tactical Team
The OHP Tactical Team has been in existence since 1978. The Tactical Team responds to manhunts, search & rescue operations, high risk warrants, hostage/barricaded subjects and any other duties required by the Chief's Office. Tactical Team troopers are dispersed geographically throughout the state enabling the team to respond to most situations within a short period of time.
[edit] External link
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