New OHP chief says agency needs more minorities

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The new chief of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol says there needs to be more minorities hired as troopers.<br/><br/>Jerry Cason is the first black to be head of the OHP and says getting

Monday, April 24th 2006, 10:15 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The new chief of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol says there needs to be more minorities hired as troopers.

Jerry Cason is the first black to be head of the OHP and says getting minorities interested in a career in law enforcement is difficult.

Cason's son spent seven years as an OHP trooper but left for a better-paying job with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and Cason says better pay is a key.

Troopers must complete a strenuous academy training program after undergoing a strict background check -- then start work earning $36,000 a year.