TPD Blog

Officer Terbrock Promoted to Corporal

 

Congratulations to Corporal August Terbrock!

Tulsa Police Goals for 2009

Tulsa Police Department Goals and Objectives 2009

Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer discusses 2009 goals with KJRH.

Goal: Reduce Part I Crime by 5 Percent

Objective: Research and develop risk and threat decision-making models to assist in assessing intelligence and deploying resources.

Objective: Gather and focus operational, investigative, and analytical resources in a renewed Safe City Initiative to identify and address crime trends.

Objective: Use departmental resources to target our most active criminals and work with federal and state prosecutors to ensure that these offenders receive maximum sentences.

Goal: Enhance Public Trust

Objective: Continue to build on existing relationships with community members, while cultivating new relationships within the community through open and honest dialogue.

Objective: Develop and employ reliable survey instruments and methodologies to accurately measure public opinion and satisfaction with law enforcement efforts.

Objective: Increase citizen awareness and participation in anti-crime initiatives through proactive media strategies.

Objective: Increase citizen access to crime, enforcement, and citizen complaint data.

Goal: Implement 50 Percent of manpower Study Recommendations

Objective: Hire and train 4 COMPSTAT Analysts and retain 2 SID Intelligence Analysts as these are essential to COMPSTAT and crime reduction.

Objective: Support Manpower Study recommendations by building effective relationship with the Mayor's Office, City Council, citizens and the media.

Objective: Work toward implementation of Verified Alarm Response.

Goal: Employ Technology to Maximize Efficiency & Effectiveness

Objective: Complete Phase One of the Electronic Citation program.

Objective: Obtain air cards for all MDT's.

Objective: Complete COMPSTAT Phase 1 and begin implementation of Phase II.

Objective: Utilize COMPSTAT technology to accurately identify crime trends and to aid in effective deployment of scarce resources.

Source: http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story/Tulsa-police-2009-goals/GDJv8N-4-0eMDuAsskDgSQ.cspx

Format differs from original.

Palmer brings new view home from Afghanistan

By ALTHEA PETERSON World Staff Writer
1/14/2008

Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer never served in the military.

Being in the Police Department was all about public service, Palmer said. Four years after he retired as Tulsa's police chief, he saw another chance at public service: the opportunity to serve alongside the U.S. military rebuilding Afghanistan.

"Not ever being in the military, I thought I could still contribute to the operation . . . I thought I could be part of the rebuilding, Operation Enduring Freedom," Palmer said.

He turned down offers by DynCorp Inc.'s office in Irving, Texas, for him to go to Haiti, but for the life experience and the extensive monetary and tax benefits, Palmer chose to go to Afghanistan to mentor police forces for a year.

About four and a half months into his stay, Palmer chose to return home.

Culture shock: The experience of being a minority was different, Palmer said. Afghans consider it rude to make hand gestures while talking or giving directions. However, the most unusual experience Palmer had was the formal greeting: touching faces cheek to cheek.

"I never got used to that, because it was so foreign to me," Palmer said. "The Afghans want to be their own people; they don't all want to embrace Western values, although they seemed to appreciate what we were doing."

The experience brought a new appreciation for Palmer, too.

"Being a minority in that country, a white person in a predominantly Muslim country, you have a better appreciation of how minorities are treated in this country," he said.

Training time When Palmer arrived in the country, he received a gun, a protective vest and assignment instructions. He started work the next day.

"There was no orientation," Palmer recalled.

On the third day, he met the man he would be mentoring, Brig. Gen. Galnabi Ahmadzi, whom Palmer called an "intelligent man" and "definitely a target for the Taliban." The two men communicated through a translator.

Ahmadzi's responsibilities included the education and training of Afghanistan's 62,000 police officers, many of whom were illiterate and were paid the equivalent of $70 per month.

"You couple the low pay with the opportunity to participate in the opium trade, the narcotics trade, and the police equipment was stolen often," Palmer said. "The people had a reason to distrust the police force. There were some that didn't want us there at all."

Although Palmer said he would like to think that people are going to be honest, especially police officers, the experience showed him the need to track assets better and have a better management of officers, he said.

"I've seen a side of police corruption that I've never seen before, so I make sure I examine staff more critically," Palmer said. "I think I came back with a better thought of whether narcotic officers weren't getting sucked into the narcotic world after you've seen the worst of the worst."

Returning to Tulsa: After four months of experiencing a different side of policing, in which police had the job of holding back insurgents, rather than responding to 911 calls or being friends of the public, Palmer returned to the U.S. eight months early.

"I left because I didn't feel I was making a difference," he said. "By the time I was there in 2006, billions had been poured into the training of Afghan police. . . . It all looked the same at the end of the day.

"The Afghan people seemed very appreciative of the dollars spent on them and helping the economy, but the infrastructure hasn't gotten any better, the violence hasn't gotten any better."

Many Afghans expressed a desire to come to the U.S. Palmer said he could see why.

"I came back with a sense of how fortunate we are to live here with the resources provided by the city," he said. "You just can't fathom how lucky you feel once you get back here. There was no freedom to travel about, because of company regulations and the ever-present danger."

By the end of the year, Palmer was back as Tulsa's police chief, but because of his experiences in Afghanistan, he is not the same chief or the same man he was when he left the post in 2002.

"I'm glad to be sitting here in this office, rather than an office in Kabul, wondering if the kerosene heater will work," Palmer said. "The best thing I gained was an appreciation of what we have here in the U.S. of A., and secondly, the choices we have here."

Althea Peterson 581-8361
althea.peterson@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2008. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Second chance is welcomed

By ALTHEA PETERSON World Staff Writer
1/3/2008

Police chief has lofty ambitions for his 'mulligan'

A second chance at making Tulsa a safer city has come as a welcome challenge to Police Chief Ron Palmer.

"This, to me, is the policing equivalent to a mulligan in golf," he told the Rotary Club of Tulsa on Wednesday.

"My sense is the first time (he was chief), we did some very, very good things. . . . My policing mulligan is another try to hit the 300-yard drive, the Tiger Woods drive to birdie the hole."

During his four months on the job this time around, Palmer has experienced challenges that are different from what he faced when he was police chief from 1992 to 2002.

"We collectively lowered the crime during that period by 8 percent," Palmer said of his first term.

"But some of the things going on in the Police Department (after he retired), . . . I was concerned about what was going on, but I didn't think I'd have a chance to lead it again."

During the time after his retirement and before his return to the Tulsa Police Department, Palmer spent some time in Afghanistan as a mentor for the chief of personnel in that country's Interior Ministry, which includes the Afghanistan National Police.

He also was a consultant to the police human resources section.

Because of widespread corruption and illiteracy among the police officers there, as well as the deaths of hundreds of officers, he grew to appreciate his home country more, Palmer said.

"My observation was that our efforts there made little difference," he said. "If you've never been to a Third World country, you should come home and thank God you're here, because this is the greatest country in the world."

More leadership and skills training, a more efficient online crime reporting system and a reduction in crime are among Palmer's goals for 2008, he said, adding that these goals are time-sensitive.

"They know I'm not going to be here another 10 years," he said. "I promised Mayor (Kathy) Taylor at least three years, so I tell everyone that I have a lot of goals to achieve in a short period of time."

Palmer said he has confidence in the Tulsa Police Department and that it will continue to improve with community support.

"It's a new day, a great opportunity for us to succeed, and I look forward to doing that," he said.

"I ask that you hold me accountable, because I am. I ask that you support us, because you help us."

Palmer’s goals for 2008

Get online system operational: Palmer said he wants a new computer system that will allow information about crime and suspects to be reported faster. He hopes to have the system up by the end of the year, depending on funding.

Create leaders within the Police Department: Palmer said he wants to avoid future situations such as Mayor Kathy Taylor experienced last year, when she had to decide between appointing a new chief from outside the department or one from within. Therefore, all departmental officers ranging from captain to chief will take three one-week sessions, 120 hours total, of courses offered by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Secure more training resources: Palmer said more elective inservice courses will be offered to officers of all ranks.

Reduce crime: Most importantly, Palmer said, it is the department’s goal to reduce crime overall in 2008.

Althea Peterson 581-8361
althea.peterson@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2008. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Bad Weather Scams

Because of the recent bad weather the Tulsa Police Department would like to remind citizens to be aware of scams. During  times like this, criminals will target the elderly and the most vulnerable in our society. The Police Department  would like to provide a few tips to avoid being scammed.

Never allow strangers inside your home.
Ask "officials" to produce identification and confirm their alleged employment.
Contact the utility company by telephone if any employee wants to enter your home or asks you to go outside with them.
Beware of unsolicited home repairmen.

If you do request services:

" Check with the Better Business Bureau.
" Ask for references and call them.
" Get several repair estimates and compare prices (if possible).
" Be suspicious of high pressure tactics.
" Write down the license plate number of any suspicious vehicle(s) the suspect(s) may be operating.
" Talk with a trusted friend or relative before making major money decisions (if possible).
" Pay by check so you can stop payment if you are dissatisfied.
" If possible never pay cash. 
" If you do pay cash don't pay up-front.

Maurer, Lewandowski Promoted and Retired Officer Crow sworn in as a Reserve Officer

Congratulations to Terry Maurer promoted to Sergeant.

Congratulations to Tim Lewandowski promoted to Corporal.

Congratulations to retired Officer Chuck Crow who was sworn in as a Tulsa Police Reserve Officer. Thank you for your continued service.

Family gets their first Christmas Tree

When Officer Jennifer Mansell learned of the family who wished for a Christmas tree, and the little boy who had never had a Christmas Tree, she went to work. A short time later, with a little bit of help from some other Tulsa Police officers, they surprised this little boy with his very own Christmas tree.

Officers Ashley and Willingham pitched in to help the family decorate it.

See the news story here:

http://www.tulsapolice.org/Videos/XmasTree/XmasTreeCable.wmv

And following are some photos.

The Tulsa Police Department welcomes any help you can give for radio station KVOO's "Christmas Crusade."

http://www.kvoo.com/Home/MusicNews/tabid/699/xmid/16631/Default.aspx

Funeral Services for Detective Jimmy Smith Announced

Funeral services for Detective Jimmy Smith will be held on Thursday, November 29th, 10:00 hours at Sandusky Avenue Christian Church, 1101 South Sandusky, Tulsa. The interment service will be held at the Woodlawn Cemetary, in Claremore, OK.

Officers are encouraged to say farewell to Jimmy and to celebrate the 31 years of dedicated service he gave to the Department and community.  He will be sorely missed by all.

Veteran Tulsa detective dies at 53

By Staff Reports, Tulsa World
11/29/2007

CLAREMORE -- Jimmy Leroy Smith, a longtime Tulsa police detective, died Saturday after battling leukemia. He was 53.

A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sandusky Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa under the direction of Floral Haven Funeral Home of Broken Arrow. A graveside service will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore.

Smith was born in Borger, Texas, and grew up in Bartlesville, where he graduated from high school in 1972.

He received a bachelor's degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah in 1976.

Smith had worked for the Tulsa Police Department for 31 years, the last eight as a detective with the Major Crimes Unit.

He was diagnosed May 31 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated by Philadelphia chromosome.

Because of the rarity of the disease, Smith was part of a trial study of an experimental drug at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Center in Hous ton.

He was honored when Oct. 4 was declared Jim Smith Day in Tulsa in recognition of his 31 years of service to the city of Tulsa.

Smith is survived by his wife, Debbie Smith of Claremore; a daughter, Jennifer Salman of Claremore; a son, Curtis Coloff of Claremore; his parents, Leroy and Cordelia Smith of Bartlesville; two sisters, Roseann Munn of Houston and Engla Hamilton of Bartlesville; and five grandchildren.

The philosophy of community policing

By RON PALMER

Published Tulsa World
11/11/2007

For the last two decades the Tulsa Police Department has been on the forefront of the community policing philosophy. As chief of police, I encourage the concepts of partnering with members of the community to reduce crime. This begins with an officer in their basic academy and is encouraged at every division within the department.

Before I discuss specific details of the department's efforts, it is important to understand exactly what community policing is. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services defines community policing as:

"Community policing focuses on crime and social disorder through the delivery of police services that includes aspects of traditional law enforcement, as well as prevention, problem-solving, community engagement, and partnerships. The community policing model balances reactive responses to calls for service with proactive problem-solving centered on the causes of crime and disorder. Community policing requires police and citizens to join together as partners in the course of both identifying and effectively addressing these issues."

I prefer that definition as it encompasses various aspects of community policing. Community policing is not just a special program or one unit within the department. It is a combination of traditional police work, prevention programs and community partnerships. The Tulsa Police Department Mission Statement states: "The Tulsa Police Department will apply all knowledge, skills and available resources by working in partnership with our community to provide quality service, protect life and property, prevent crime and resolve problems so people can live without fear in a safe environment."

I am proud to represent an agency that embraces those philosophies. This police department continues to be involved in a wide variety of community policing activities. In the last year, the Tulsa Police Department has participated in 739 community events. These range from neighborhood meetings and school presentations to events such as the Tulsa State Fair.

More than 40,000 citizens have seen our presentations in the last year and those presentations continue throughout the city each week. Anyone can schedule a presentation and our Web site is the easiest way to do that. Simply go to our Public Education section and submit the request: www.tulsapolice.org/education/publiceducation.html .

While you visit our Web site, we have included several interactive sections that give the citizens important input and information about the Tulsa Police Department. We periodically conduct online surveys that yield thousands of comments and feedback from citizens. Many of these comments have already been acted on and will no doubt improve the efficiency of the department. In addition, citizens can read about the current events of the department at the official Tulsa Police Blog which is located at www.tpdblog.com . Citizens can not only submit their comments on the blog, but they can send a direct e-mail to me at TPDChief@cityoftulsa.org. Our most recent effort to relay information to the community is our official Podcast. Citizens can listen to real stories from the officers working their communities and hear about new and innovative programs being offered by the Tulsa Police Department by going to www.tpdpodcast.com .

The Tulsa Police Department has dedicated a full-time officer to coordinate all public education events and Sgt. Stephanie Jackson has done a phenomenal job. Not only has she helped start Student Crimestoppers at all 31 Tulsa Public Schools but she facilitates the Department's involvement in a wide variety of community programs and events. From charity basketball games to safety fairs, and child seat checks, the department has worked very hard to not only provide two-way communication with the community but also provide outlets to educate them about crime and safety.

As I stated, community policing is much more than a program. The heart of the concept lies in the hearts of our officers and citizens. In that regard, we should all be proud of what the future holds. I have personally seen officers mowing the lawn and cleaning a dilapidated residence in an effort to keep the criminal element away. I have witnessed officers pray with parents in parking lots as they discuss how they can help their children. I have seen officers give their own money away to those who need it and purchase presents for a family that had everything taken the day before Christmas.

The Tulsa Police Department is made up of men and women who truly care about their community. I have no doubt that the citizens of Tulsa care just as much about this great city. With those factors present and a continued effort by both, we will continue to thrive within the community policing model.

Ron Palmer is chief of the Tulsa Police Department.

By RON PALMER

Tulsa Police Major Featured at Local Symposium

Major Paul Williams of the Tulsa Police Department will be a featured speaker at the KPM Symposium. The Symposium will be held at OSU Tulsa on October 3-4. The KPM Symposium is a unique opportunity to bring people together from industry and academia and explore recent developments, emerging trends, and cutting edge research. Researchers, practitioners, students, end users, and system developers are encouraged to attend and consider presenting their work at this unique event.

In the fall of 2006, Major Paul Williams and Major Rob Turner of the Tulsa Police Department met with Chuck Tryon, of Tryon and Associates, and Dr. Suliman Hawamdeh of the University of Oklahoma, to discuss how to capture the knowledge base of the members of the Tulsa Police Department and retain that knowledge for future use.

Over the next six months many officers and staff members of the Tulsa Police Department were involved in the creation of what became known as the "Knowledge Retention Policy". During the course of creating this new policy the members of the Tulsa Police Department discovered that they were doing well in knowledge retention in some areas, but lacked formal documentation of these efforts. They also found that other areas lacked any process by which knowledge could be retained, resulting in the potential loss of years of accumulated expertise. The "Knowledge Retention Policy" serves as a basis for organizing and retaining the department’s institutional knowledge, and also acts as a quick reference guide for those inside, and outside, the organization on where to go and who to ask to learn the answers to their questions.

For additional information:

http://www.kpmsymposium.org/