Tulsa Police $3 Million Grant Approved

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- More laid off Tulsa police officers will be coming back to work.

Mayor Dewey Bartlett said U.S. Representative John Sullivan's office has expedited approval from Washington to use federal grant money to pay for some Tulsa police salaries for 17 months. 

The JAG grant, involving roughly $3 million, could bring 35 officers back to the force in a matter of weeks.

Mayor Bartlett said the deal was delayed by the blizzard last week in Washington that basically shut the government down.

"We weren't able to get any phone calls returned and then when we finally did get through to some people, we couldn't get any action. So Congressman Sullivan was able to get hold of some high-level people in the Attorney General's office and an hour later, we got a phone call," said Mayor Bartlett.

"That is Washington bureaucracy for you. We were able to make some calls (Friday) to the Attorney General's office and able to get this thing shaken loose," said Congressman Sullivan.

Confirmation was received Friday in a 4:42 p.m. e-mail from Carol Poole, acting deputy director for programs for the Bureau, according to a release by the City of Tulsa.

"I just spoke with Chief Jordan and we are both very pleased to be able to get the process started to rehire 35 officers to our fine police department," Mayor Dewey Bartlett said. "I appreciate every effort Congressman Sullivan and his staff made to assist with this grant."

On Thursday, the Fraternal Order of Police offered Mayor Bartlett a plan to get all 124 laid off officers back on the beat. 

The FOP isn't discussing the offer, only saying it would keep the city's budget balanced.

2/18/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Police Grant Waiting U.S. Department Of Justice Approval