Some Community Leaders Upset With Mayor Taylorâ€™s Choice For Police Chief

Tulsa's African-American community is responding to the appointment of the new police chief. In his previous term as chief, Ron Palmer was praised for lowering the crime rate, but in some circles

Thursday, August 30th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa's African-American community is responding to the appointment of the new police chief. In his previous term as chief, Ron Palmer was praised for lowering the crime rate, but in some circles he was also blamed for overlooking racial issues. News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren spoke with several people in the Tulsa community Thursday, and got a mixed response. She reports some say we should wipe the slate clean and start fresh with Palmer, but others say they're disappointed Palmer is back.

"I look at this as a fresh start," said Tulsaâ€™s new Police Chief Ron Palmer.

Tulsa's new police chief is an old face. Ron Palmer was already the city's top cop from 1992 to 2002. In that time, the mayor credited him with lowering the crime rate, but the NAACP accused the department of racism and heavily criticized Palmer for his role in that. Palmer sued them for defamation of character, but he says that's all water under the bridge.

"There's new leadership in the communities that wasn't there in 2002 when I left,â€ Palmer said. â€œI'm anxious to meet those people, I'm anxious to get started with those dialogues."

News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren spoke with leaders in Tulsa's black community. The pastor of the Greater Grace Church, who speaks to thousands of Tulsans every Sunday, says they accept the decision. They're willing to make it work, but they're going to be keeping tabs on Palmer. Pastor Donald Tyler, of the Greater Grace Church, says he and his colleagues are still worried about Palmer's track record with them and in north Tulsa. He says he doesn't feel like Chief Palmer did a good job protecting his community.

"I was told yesterday in a meeting in the mayor's office that people change. Unfortunately your track record, your past has to be proven to be different, so mama said proof is in the pudding, so we'll see what he does," Pastor Donald Tyler of the Greater Grace Church said.

That said, Tyler says Palmer is the chief, like it or not, and we need to work together for the betterment of the community. Those community members seem to agree.

"I just think we need some fresh ideas and that way we can probably try to move forward in healing a lot of wounds in the city, and in the department itself," Tulsa resident Anthony Crawford said.

"I mean give him a chance, give him a chance. He hadn't did nothing to me, so you haven't done nothing to me, I haven't done nothing to you, so why judge?" said Tulsan Angie Pitts.

Pastor Tyler says the mayor did make one good decision, and that is to make Palmer an at-will employee. That means they can pressure the mayor to fire him if they don't like his performance.

Watch the video: Community Reacts To Appointment Of New Tulsa Police Chief

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