Chief expects need for more officers

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
10/31/2007

Police Chief Ron Palmer told the City Council on Tuesday that at the end of his first tenure, Tulsa had 100 more officers on the force than there are now.

"So I think we do need more," he said during the council's committee meetings. "How many more? That's what needs to be determined."

Palmer served as Tulsa's chief from 1992 to 2002 and returned to the job last month.

Since 2002, the number of officers has dropped from about 920 to 820, he said.

Palmer is continuing to pursue an independent police manpower review that was started by his predecessor, Interim Chief David Bostrom.

"I'm anxious to have an objective look at this," he said.

Under Bostrom's leadership, two requests for proposals were drafted for the review, but they were too narrowly focused on patrol officers and only allowed about $12,000 in funding, Palmer said.

A third proposal request was issued by Palmer for a review that will encompass the staffing of the entire Police Department and offer $70,000 to $75,000 in funding.

Proposals by qualified organizations are due Wednesday, with a contract to be awarded in a month and the results in six months or more, he said.

Palmer said the manpower report will not be ready in time for the planning of the next fiscal year that begins July 1.

"We're planning for the budget in the next couple of months, and this will come well after that occurs," he said.

Councilors have said they would like to know the number of police officers that Tulsa's force truly needs.

"I know it's a complex issue, but we have to come to some sort of consensus, so we can begin working toward a goal," Councilor Rick Westcott said.

Various formulas and comparisons based on the ratio of officers per thousand residents have been cited that indicate the city could need from 94 to 227 additional officers.

Palmer said those kinds of figures are nebulous.

"I want us to get a good feel for how many we need for the calls of service we have, for the time we need to do proactive patrol and to properly investigate crimes," he said. "It will be good to have a third eye on it."

Brian Barber 581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2007. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Comments

[Chief,]

Would Tulsa PD consider a Lateral Academy (abbreviated), which would in turn draw TPD seasoned Cops from other dept's and states. Lateral would get you more Officers on the street faster, and most cops that have been doing the job for a few years aren't too interested in sitting through a 20+ week academy, which they have already learned in another dept. What are your thoughts on this?

[Off. Will Dalsing]

Chief,

There are several reasons why Tulsa does not do this....I will only highlight one. The job has become increasingly technical. The amount of information a police officer needs to know not withstanding, the knowledge of our systems and technology alone could take weeks in a classroom to learn.
That said, we hire a LOT of prior law enforcement officers. It is a great boon to us and to the individual when they have that prior experience.
The Academy is long, yes, but they get an update and in almost all cases a more in-depth education. I have personally never heard a new officer complain about that.
...and by the way, I am one of those who came here from a previous employment with another Oklahoma police department. I'm glad I had that long Academy course of instruction!

Will

[Ron Quelland]

I would expect that all officers are trained for the primary area that they will work. Redundancy is a pain...yet...this is not a "dog-catcher" position. I have been in the military as a medic...as well as civilian...EMT. I also used to fire a pea-shooter. I would not be hindered by any refresher courses...technology is ever
changing...besides...it warms ya
up for the front-lines. Later...

[Jim Rice]

I'm writing on the Chief retracting his statement on less Officers now then when he was Chief the first time. I'm a little suspicious that the at will position might have caused his change of position on this matter. First of all I'm surprised that the FOP is letting this at will position stand. No one I have ever talked to thinks that a political Chief is or was a good idea. The at will position for all practical speaking more or less makes it where the Mayor runs the Police Department, and that should not be. The Chief should be free of all politics and be protected in his position. Lets look at this situation, It's no secret that we have a Mayor that doesn't like the Police Department, And now she has an at will Police Chief. I know I only graduated from McLain High School in Tulsa, But I can even figure out that this isn't a good situation. Come on guys lets restore some credibilty to the Chief of Police position and get rid of the at will position. Jim Rice

[Off. Will Dalsing]

I cannot address the "at-will" argument.

However, the Chief retracting his assertion in the numbers of Officers was necessary. The facts (the number of officers we really had) do not lie. We had the numbers as stated in the newspaper. He made a "mistake in fact" and he corrected it. I see no evil in that.
Thanks for commenting, Mr. Rice.

Will

[Jim Rice]

I was watching a City Council Urban and Development meeting the other morning where Ron Molton head of the Helicopter unit went before the council for approval for the new Helicopter. It wasn't surprising to see the Council grill Ron over the cost of the new Helicopter. First of all the Helicopter is probably one of the BEST tools the Police Department has to fight crime with. And not only is those police officers flying them risking their lives as police officers, They are also risking the chance of having mechanical problems and giving up their lives in a crash. Which we all hope that day never comes, However those officers needs the best equipment that money can buy. I'm just a regular Citizen who is tired of seeing the City stack the deck against the police department when it comes to funding appropriations for the police department. These people put their lives on the line every day for our community. Lets get a Mayor in there that appreciates the job these men and women do instead of fighting them all the time. And No I'm not running for Mayor, But someone needs to. Jim Rice

[Jim Rice]

TULSA POLICE BADGE OF HONOR!!! Recently I was honored to be stopped for the funeral procession of one of the officers recently killed in a automobile accident on S. 75 Highway. We were sitting at the light at Admiral and 129th E. Ave. and watched as the Tulsa Police officer stood in the intersection holding traffic as the procession traveled through. The Officer saluted the hearse as it traveled by him. I couldn't help but get a tear in my eye. For my father once wore the very same badge very proudly. For all of you men and women that so proudly serve this City, Trust me there are people that appreciate it from the bottom of their hearts. We will lose you from time to time, However we will NEVER forget you for the things you do for all of us. We all prey to GOD every day that you all will be Kept safe for this common cause. Jim Rice