Barnsdall Hires Third Police Chief In 17 Months

After scandals resulted in the resignation and removal of the last two chiefs of police, the City of Barnsdall announced it has hired its third chief in 16 months.

Friday, May 10th 2013, 11:56 am

By: News On 6

Barnsdall Hires Third Police Chief In 17 Months

After scandals resulted in the resignation and removal of the last two chiefs of police, the City of Barnsdall announced it has hired its third chief in 17 months.

According to a city council member, the City of Barnsdall has tapped John Ferguson to head the department. He was previously an investigator for the Osage County Sheriff 's Office and has 31 years of experience in law enforcement.

Ferguson will begin full-time with BPD on May 20, according to Barnsdall City Hall.

Ferguson replaces Shane Davis, 40, who was in an alleged DUI crash in March and resigned from duty. Davis held the position only six months. He was named to replace 25-year-old Matt Clark, who also was in an alleged alcohol-related crash and subsequently terminated in October 2012.

In October 2012, Clark wrecked his personal vehicle in Bartlesville. At the time, BPD told News On 6 that crews had to use the Jaws of Life to rescue him from the one-car collision. According to the Bigheart Times, Clark's blood test returned as .24 – three times the legal limit.

Clark was officially charged with misdemeanor DUI in the case. He was rearrested days later and charged with driving on a revoked license. He was hired in December 2011, after Paul Didlake quit abruptly following a reported dispute with the city council.

In June 2009, Didlake's predecessor was suspended after he blew the whistle on what he said was a dangerous oil spill. Then-chief of police Tony Gates was suspended indefinitely, without pay, one day after talking to News On 6.