History Oklahoma City Police Department

1 history

1.1 formation
1.2 world war & post war
1.3 great depression era
1.4 world war ii & post war
1.5 1960s
1.6 1970s
1.7 1980s
1.8 1990s
1.9 21st century

history
formation

ocpd officers chief charles f. colcord

the oklahoma city police department officially formed following land rush of 1889 in central indian terroity. department began small collection of officers. department s first chief charles f. colcord , municipal court held in small tent near california avenue. turn of century, public drinking had caused many quality of life issues small community. in 1907, oklahoma voters approved liquor prohibition. new city charter adopted in march 1911. 1 of charter s provisions changed office of chief of police elective appointive. charter adopted commissioner form of government. in july 1911, mayor whit grant named bill tilghman police chief. tilghman had earned reputation in western frontier having served u.s. marshal, tracked down outlaws bill doolin. under tilgham s leadership, ocpd rigorously targeted gambling, bootlegging, , prostitution rings.

world war & post war

a horse-drawn ocpd paddy wagon

during war, ocpd established traffic department , motorcycle squad. department implemented electric callbox system citywide. officers walking beat required report police dispatch pushing 6-1 on callbox. 1923, ocpd had expanded 90 officers 150. additionally, department created mounted patrol unit, began patrolling residential districts , directing traffic. in 1927, city adopted city manager form of government, in effort make city services non-partisan. in 1928, ocpd created training courses officers. newly hired officers required complete courses.

great depression era

america s gangster era ushered in new paradigm ocpd. crime wave of great depression forced ocpd begin transition lose collection of untrained men, towards professionalized force. during thirties, 9 officers killed in line of duty. ocpd began created radio patrol unit , began installing mobile radios in police cars, improved safety , efficiency of officers.

the ocpd raiding squad shotguns , tommy guns. front center detective jelly bryce.

perhaps 1 of department s interesting lawmen emerged during time. d.a. jelly bryce, joined ocpd in 1928. known dapper appearance, earned nickname jelly fellow officers. 1930s, bryce promoted department s raiding squad plain clothes detective. in unit, bryce recovered dozens of stolen cars, , broke-up numerous bootlegging outfits , gambling rackets. bryce renown ability track down outlaws , gangsters, notably, wilbur underhill. bryce carried shotgun , thompson sub-machine gun while on duty. during law enforcement career, bryce involved in 19 gun battles , killed @ least 17 men. however, exact number unknown due poor record keeping @ time. bryce known quick draw , featured in life magazine. electronically timed @ two-fifths of second draw , accurately fire. reported @ time if crimminal blinked @ jelly bryce, die in darkness. bryce left ocpd , later became fbi special agent in charge, before running unsuccessfully governor of oklahoma.

world war ii & post war

ocpd radio patrol scout car

throughout world war ii, department suffered severe shortage of manpower. result, requirements become police officer relaxed , many clerical positions filled civilians.

following war, ocpd began move towards specialization , professionalization. department created training unit. unit conducted 144-hour training course new recruits. department began new investigation units, such burglary, traffic accident, white collar crime, , fingerprint collection.

1960s

during 1960s, ocpd established k-9 unit, forensics laboratory, , police academy. in 1965, ocpd headquarters building @ 701 colcord avenue completed. in 1969, ocpd began issuing sidearms officers. department issued officers s&w model .38 specials. in years prior, officers had been required purchase own weapons.

1970s

in seventies, ocpd began alcohol safety action project (asap) designed reduce drunk driving. department created selected enforcement unit, designed reduce crime in problomatic areas. ocpd added police helicopter , tactical team (swat). in 1974, shirley cox became first female ocpd officer. in fall of 1975, ocpd officers went on work slowdown protest low wages. on october 24, 600 ocpd officers walked city hall , placed badges on city council s conference table. on next 3 days, oklahoma county sheriff office , oklahoma highway patrol provided police service city. finally, on october 27, settlement reached, resulted in pay increase , added benefits officers.

1980s

in 1980s city s population rapid grew, , did crime rates. department implemented new equipment, such mobile csi unit, forensic training patrol officers, , field training program (fto).

1990s

an aerial view of oklahoma city bombing, looking north, of destruction

on april 19, 1995 timothy mcveigh carried out oklahoma city bombing, worst terrorist attack in u.s. history. mcveigh detonated ryder truck bomb @ alfred p. murrah federal building killed 168 people. oklahoma city police first on scene , began rescue efforts. sgt. detective mike mcpherson of auto theft unit , bomb squad member arrived on scene moments after blast. mcpherson assisted investigators locating hidden vin number on axle, later allowed fbi tie truck mcveigh.

21st century

ocpd officers survey damage following 2013 moore tornado in southern oklahoma city

in response recent tornado outbreaks, ocpd has changed policy regarding tornado sirens. tornado sirens activated in localized areas, instead of citywide activations.

an ocpd car @ new headquarters building; ocpd began transitioning crown victoria ford taurus standard patrol car starting in 2012

in fall of 2015, department opened new headquarters building @ 700 colcord drive. new building cost approximately $22 million , on 88,000 square feet. building house approximately 300 civilians, detectives, , administrators.

in 2015, ocpd announced plans implement body cameras patrol officers initial pilot program lasting year, followed wider adoption.