Tulsa Police: Handling Of Crutcher Incident Resulting In More Minority Applicants

The Tulsa Police Department welcomed 14 new officers to the force Friday morning.

The officers just completed a nine-month-long application process, 28 weeks of CLEET training and now will have another 16 weeks of on-the-job training.

Last year at this time, the City of Tulsa and police department leaders were growing more worried about a police officer shortage.  Police recruitment has generally veered downward across the country over the last few years. 

Many departments say a growing anti-cop mentality in the public is to blame.

But now, while departments across the country are still having trouble, the Tulsa Police Department is seeing more applicants, especially minorities.

TPD says more black and Hispanic recruits are interested in joining the force because of the way it handled the Terence Crutcher shooting last month.

Officer Michael Terwilliger graduated alongside 13 other officers Friday.

"I'm excited. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I really feel called to do this. I feel every ounce of me is alive when I'm doing this," he said.

The department says it's getting more applicants like Terwilliger, eager to join TPD.

In fact, training director Major Ryan Perkins said more minorities are applying, saying they respect the way TPD handled the Crutcher incident.

Tulsa leaders drew praise for releasing the dashcam footage quickly - three days after Crutcher was shot and killed.

"I think that they see a college-educated workforce that can see the big picture and can handle things in a way that appears to be the right way to them, and then is supported by the community, is the kind of place they want to work," Perkins said.

Terwilliger said, "Looking at all the events happening in the nation, I would say Tulsa's on the leading edge of how to handle events like this."

Perkins said TPD prefers to recruit locals but it's been looking out-of-state to find more minority candidates.

He said the next class of officers starting in January will be very diverse.

"We want the police department to mirror the community it's policing. It's a goal, has been a goal for years for us," Perkins said.

There is still a shortage of Tulsa Police officers. The department wants to add at least 140 more.