The Community Policing Dashboard allows residents to track progress on the recommendations made by the the Tulsa Commission on Community Policing in March 2017. The dashboard indicates the status of the 77 recommendations under six pillars. Status updates will be published quarterly to track progress toward implementation.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2019
Build on Tulsa Police Department’s guardian mindset and culture by:
• Creating more safe and secure environments throughout Tulsa;
• Providing further transparency;
• Creating novel ways to engage the community;
• Working harder on procedural justice principles in training and in practice;
• Wearing body cameras.
On June 29, 2017, the Tulsa Police Department announced that it would purchase 450 body-worn cameras for all police field officers. Over the past several months, 40 Tulsa Police officers have field-tested the body-worn camera system throughout the city. TPD has found the camera system to be very beneficial as the body-worn cameras not only provide transparency, but have provided valuable video evidence in several investigations. TPD has a goal of implementing the body-warn cameras by the end of 2017.
Working in neighborhoods such as Kendall-Whittier with community policing effort. Improved transparency with releasing video after incidents. Hosting community block parties regularly.
Tulsa Police Department should continue to acknowledge the historical role of policing in shaping community perceptions about the work of police. This should include a list of initiatives that show how the Tulsa Police Department is working to change perceptions among citizen groups. Tulsa Police Department should also use resources through the COPS office that measure the extent to which community policing has been implemented.
The US DOJ has discontinued the program that evaluates police departments' community policing efforts.
TPD will engage with the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Centennial Commission to tell the story of the evolution of the Tulsa Police Department from the time of the Riot to the present.
Mayor Bynum serves of the Board of the Tulsa Race Riot Commission.
TPD will increase officer visibility (i.e., by increasing the frequency of neighborhood drive-throughs), as its workforce allows, so as to build trust.
TPD will work to engage more citizens in developing and understanding crime-fighting strategies (i.e., consensus-building around crime fighting).
TPD is hosting monthly coffee with cops meetings and exploring working with the Department of Justice on process and question development for facilitated town hall forums. Click link below for Events posted on the TPD Facebook page.
TPD will continue to conduct surveys that measure citizen trust of the police, with a view toward collecting more district-centric data that highlight perceptions in particular communities and areas of the City. Consideration will be given to collaborations with universities with expertise in surveys and sampling.
The Gallup Tulsa Citivoice Index will measure citizen trust of police, and will be deployed summer 2018.
TPD will continue to work on the creation of a more diverse and inclusive workforce through enhanced outreach to, among others, Spanish-speaking communities in Texas and New Mexico and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
TPD is actively recruiting at universities such as University of Texas at El Paso and New Mexico State University to increase diversity. TPD also actively recruits at historically black colleges and universities. TPD also participates in Mosaic, a Tulsa-based group focused on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
TPD will continue to innovate in terms of improving relations with immigrant communities through such practices as the increased use of translators and the addition of a separate, Spanish Language Question & Complaint Line.
TPD has a interpreters in sign language, Spanish and several other languages. TPD has a designated LGBTQ contact. TPD is working to identify a representative on the Compassionate Tulsa committee of the Human Rights Commission. TPD has a representative on Mosaic and the Oklahoma Center for Community Justice (OCCJ).
TPD should work to better integrate its officers into the community by providing officers with information about community resources that can be shared with citizens with whom they come in contact. In addition, Tulsa Police Department should engage with citizens on community events as appropriate.
TPD has developed a comprehensive flier that includes contacts to key resources for residents.
Tulsa Police Department should continue to collaborate with community members to develop policies and strategies in communities and neighborhoods disproportionately affected by crime for deploying resources that aim to reduce crime by improving relationships, greater community engagement, and cooperation.
Community action groups have met several times at each division. Work has began on strategies.
Tulsa Police Department should continue nonpunitive peer review of critical incidents separate from criminal and administrative investigations.
The Department now regularly meets after a critical incident. Every officer involved shooting has a review.
Tulsa Police Department should continue its required annual Biased Based Police Training, and should follow through on its intention to implement outside instruction implicit bias training for all officers.
We've started the process of implicit bias training and this will be a continuous practice moving forward.
Tulsa Police Department should continue to make its use of force policy accessible online and offer a frequently-asked-questions section.
TPD has developed a Q&A that provides detailed information on the Use of Force Policy.
Tulsa Police Department should continue to report and make available to the public census data regarding the composition of the Department.
Tulsa Police Department should continue to collect, maintain, and analyze demographic data on all detentions (including stops, frisks, arrests, searches, etc.).
Records Management System vendor selection narrowed to two.
Tulsa Police Department should maintain policies for policing mass demonstrations that employ a continuum of managed tactical resources that are designed to minimize the appearance of a military operation and avoid using provocative tactics and equipment that undermine civilian trust.
Have utilizes the latest best practices in mass demonstration policies
Tulsa Police Department should establish civilian oversight of law enforcement through semi-annual community meetings and community advisory groups in each Tulsa Police Division.
TPD has established the community advisory board appointed by the Mayor and community action groups at the division level.
Police Department should continue to refrain from practices requiring officers to issue a predetermined number of tickets, citations, or arrests for the purpose of generating revenue.
Tulsa Police Department should continue to require that officers explain to the individual their rights to refuse a search without probable cause or a warrant. Ideally, the officer should seek both verbal and written consent.
Tulsa Police Department should continue to require that officers identify themselves by their full name, rank, and command and provide that information in writing to individuals. In addition, officers need to state the reason fro a stop/search if one is conducted.
Tulsa Police Department should maintain policies that establish search and seizure procedures for the LGBTQ and transgender community.
Tulsa Police Department should continually reinforce, through training, its policy which states "There shall be no bias in the operations of the TPD. The Department is committed to unbiased policing and will provide service and reinforcement in a fair and equitable manner."
Tulsa Police Department should participate in national organizations that assist in the development and delivery of training to help law enforcement agencies learn, acquire, and implement technology tools and tactics that are consistent with best practices of 21st Century Policing.
TPD has completed a comprehensive accreditation through CALEA.
Tulsa Police Department should adopt policies and accreditations that address technology's impact on privacy concerns in accordance with protections provided by constitutional law.
Tulsa Police Department should deploy smart technology that is designed to prevent the tampering with or manipulating of evidence in violation of policy.
Tulsa Police Department should encourage public engagement and collaboration - including the continued use of community advisory bodies - when developing a policy for the use of a new technology.
Community Advisory boards will assist in the development of policy for new technology
Tulsa Police Department should include an evaluation or assessment process to gauge the effectiveness of any new technology, soliciting input from all levels of the Department and from members of the community.
The IT Department is now leading the IT Vision and Architecture committee, which will help to evaluate new technology options.
Tulsa Police Department should adopt the use of new technologies that will help them better serve people with special needs or disabilities.
Using mapping to target areas where we have homeless. Flagging autistic kids in Smart 911.
Tulsa Police Department should consult with civil rights and civil liberties organizations, as well as law enforcement research groups and other experts, concerning the constitutional issues that can arise as a result of the use of new technologies.
Tulsa Police Department should utilize the Bureau of Justice Assistance's Body Worn Camera Toolkit to assist in implementing body worn cameras.
TPD has a Mobile Recording Policy at the link below: (page 318)
Tulsa Police Department should work to encourage federal, state, and local legislative bodies to update public record laws.
Tulsa Police Department should adopt model policies and best practices for technology-based community engagement that increases community trust and access.
Tulsa Police Department should continue to develop and adopt policies and strategies that reinforce community engagement in managing public safety.
TPD hired a Community Involvement Coordinator in August 2017.
New Tulsans Initiative
Tulsa Police Department should continue to identify and implement “least harm” resolutions, such as diversion programs or warnings and citations in lieu of arrest for minor infractions.
Administrative Order regarding minor infractions. Contract complete with 12&12.
Tulsa Police Department should engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches for planning, implementation, and responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors.
Community Response Teams respond to individual crises. Community Action Groups respond to community crises.
City of Tulsa should involve peer support counselors as part of multidisciplinary teams when appropriate, partnering with Oklahoma Mental Health Association or other entity to lead this initiative.
TPD has partnered with Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Family & Children’s Services to provide Assisted Out-Patient treatment and counseling services for residents in crisis.
On Aug. 1, 2017, TPD participated in a two-day intercept mapping event to prevent the mentally ill from going to jail http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/leaders-try-sequential-intercept-mapping-keep-mentally-ill-going-jail#stream/0
TPD implementing Community Response Teams with Tulsa Fire Dept. and COPES. Click the Link below for more information about Community Response Teams.
City of Tulsa should evaluate the efficacy of crisis intervention team approaches and hold agency leaders accountable for outcomes.
TPD has completed transition to Crisis Intervention Team approach.
City of Tulsa and its citizens should support a culture and practice of policing that reflects the values of protection and promotion of the dignity of all, especially the most vulnerable. Community education relative to the practice of policing is crucial in this regard.
Tulsa Police Department should continue working with neighborhood residents to co-produce public safety solutions for the community.
Citizen Advisory Boards are in place and meeting regularly with TPD. More information at the link below
Tulsa Police Department should schedule regular forums and meetings where all community members can interact with police and help influence programs and policy.
TPD hosts Coffee with Cops monthly and has regular forums and town halls throughout the year.
Tulsa Police Department should engage youth and communities in joint training with law enforcement, citizen academies, ride alongs, problem solving teams, community action teams, and quality of life teams.
Youth are invited to participate in TPD Explorer program is designed for 13-18 year olds. http://www.tulsapoliceexplorers.com/
Tulsa Police Department should work with Chief of Economic Development and Chief Resilience Officer to adopt community policing strategies that support and work in concert with economic development efforts within communities.
TPD meets with economic development leaders to communicate policing strategy. TPD is involved in the Resilience Plan work and collaboration is an ongoing effort.
City of Tulsa should adopt policies and programs that address the needs of children and youth most at risk for crime or violence and reduce aggressive law enforcement tactics that stigmatize youth and marginalize their participation in schools and communities.
Project Trust launched Nathan Hale and Memorial High Schools. Work on Truancy Ordinance in progress.
City of Tulsa should work with school districts to reform policies and procedures that push children into the criminal justice system.
Tulsa Police Department should work with schools to encourage the creation of alternatives to student suspensions and expulsion through restorative justice, diversion, counseling, and family interventions. To accomplish this, an increase in the number of school resource officers over time is also recommended.
TPS has implemented a suspension reduction strategy. An increase in SRO's is part of the Vision funding for hiring police officers.
City of Tulsa should work with schools to encourage the use of alternative strategies that involve youth in decision making, such as restorative justice, youth courts, and peer interventions.
Tulsa Police Department should work with schools to adopt an instructional approach to discipline that uses intervention or disciplinary consequences to help students develop new behavior skills and positive strategies to avoid conflict, redirect energy and refocus on learning. To accomplish this, the feasibility of a Tulsa Police Department mentorship program should be researched. Additional school resource officers will also be needed.
City of Tulsa should work with schools to develop and monitor school discipline policies with input and collaboration from school personnel, students, families, and community members. These policies should prohibit the use of corporal punishment and electronic control devices.
City of Tulsa should work with schools to create a continuum of developmentally appropriate and proportional consequences for addressing ongoing and escalating student misbehavior after all appropriate interventions have been attempted.
City of Tulsa should work with communities to plan a role in programs and procedures to reintegrate juveniles back into their communities as they leave the justice system.
Tulsa Police Department and schools should evaluate and possibly update existing memoranda of agreement for the placement of school resource officers that limit involvement in student discipline.
City of Tulsa should affirm and recognize the voices of youth in community decision making, facilitate youth-led research and problem solving, and develop and fund youth leadership training and life skills through positive youth/police collaboration and interactions.
Project Trust part 2, Continue development of PAL program
Tulsa Police Department should restore and build trust between youth and police by creating programs and projects for positive, consistent, and persistent interaction between youth and police.
TPD is implementing programs including the Police Athletic League (PAL), Music & Arts, and Police Foundation.
MPACC Youth Forum, Project Trust, SRO, PAL
City of Tulsa should develop community and school-based evidence-based programs that mitigate punitive and authoritarian solutions to teen problems.
TPD is implementing Project Trust.
Tulsa Police Department should continue extensive use of scenario-based training throughout the academy, including instruction for mental health response, defensive tactics, de-escalation, patrol tactics, and report writing.
Tulsa Police Department should explore additional partnerships with academic institutions focused on training, evaluation, and other evidence-based practices.
We have partnered with the University of Cincinnati to evaluate programs for TPD for the last several years.
Tulsa Police Department should expand access to Citizens Police Academy by developing a condensed 8-hour one-day curriculum and inviting community leaders to participate. Greater involvement in the Citizens Police Academy will increase understanding of policing methods and will give officers insight into citizen opinions on practices.
Tulsa Police Department should expand leadership training beyond academies to offerings for all officers.
TPD has sent officers through Senior Management in Policing at Boston University and have officers enrolled in Law Enforcement Executive Institute. One officer in the FBI National Academy
Tulsa Police Department should expand participation in external leadership programs beyond Leadership Tulsa to other programs such as Leadership Oklahoma and Lead North.
In addition to Leadership Tulsa, Leadership U. Also second round of CAPLC
Tulsa Police Department should continue its practice of sending senior managers to the FBI’s National Academy, PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police, and others.
Tulsa Police Department should expand Crisis Intervention Training beyond current academy to requirement for all patrol officers.
CIT Training is provided to officers who are considered to be a best fit. It's not recommended practice for all officers to be trained in CIT.
Tulsa Police Department should continue its basic academy curriculum focused on social interaction, communication, and de-escalation as components of tactical and overall police skills.
Tulsa Police Department should include discussion with those affected by addiction during basic academy training.
Tulsa Police Department should offer implicit bias training for all officers and City of Tulsa should offer for all employees and elected officials.
TPD is working to identify a trainer to conduct implicit bias training in-house trainers to teach all TPD officers
Tulsa Police Department should continue its practice of basic academy instruction that includes: a focus on cultural diversity; history of race relations in Tulsa; interaction with Hispanic community; interaction with non-English speakers; immigrant culture; and interaction with Muslim community. Tulsa Police Department should add interactions with LGBTQ community to this curriculum.
Tulsa Police Department should continue basic academy curriculum instruction on legal basis and practical interaction, including terry stops and the Fourth Amendment.
Tulsa Police Department should continue the routine evaluation of its Field Training Officer program, including updated training on adult education, current academy instruction, and training the next generation of police officers.
Tulsa Police Department should continue its historic standard of 40 in-service hours of training. Recent reductions have been made due to manpower levels, but the above recommendations reinforce the importance of continued in-service training for TPD officers to remain prepared for an ever-changing law enforcement environment. A reduction in hours does not afford officers the time to participate in the range of training sessions identified on top of those already mandated.
Manpower shortages continue. In-service reduction to state mandate continues.
Tulsa Police Department should formalize an internal policy and response procedure for the Blue Alert system.
Model policies identified and researched
Tulsa Police Department should collaborate with local entities to offer wellness programming to officers. Examples include nutrition, financial fitness, stress and coping workshops, and collaboration with the OSU Center for Family Resilience.
TPD has a program called TPDFit that includes wellness, nutrition and stress coping skills. TPD has also partnered with a non-profit to provide additional total wellness resources.
Tulsa Police Department should pursue grant funding for equipment and training that allows officers to serve as safety and wellness instructors within the Department.
TPD received a grant for Narcan use and won an excellence award in 2017 for its use to mitigate opioid overdoses. TPD has a medic program in partnership with Tulsa Tech.
Tulsa Police Department should consider providing ergonomic work places, such as stand-up work stations.
TPD has implemented stand & sit desks
Tulsa Police Department should provide better nutritional selections in work places.
Tulsa Police Department should complete its evaluation of shift lengths within a 24-hour period.
Tulsa Police Department should establish a committee to examine best practices relative to injuries and “near misses” of other law enforcement agencies.
Tulsa Police Department should follow through on its Peer Support Group by selecting members to be part of Peer 2 Peer and training peer counselors.
Peer to peer support group training in September 2017
Tulsa Police Department should continue to promote on-going officer family wellness and resilience opportunities.