Police Cadets Approve Of Their New Chief

Wednesday, August 29th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsaâ€™s new police chief, Ron Palmer, inherits a department some in the community consider under-staffed. The first academy class of the chief's new term is already in session. News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports many officers remember serving under Chief Palmer, but Palmer's second go-around begins with 24 new cadets.

"In the academy they're throwing different stuff at us each day, which is the same thing we're gonna get in the real world, you don't know what to expect," said Tulsa Police recruit Flossie Stephens.

Cadets like Flossie Stephens say it's good to know their new chief already knows them.

"He was the previous chief, he already knows the job, he knows what to expect," Stephens said.

"My whole family's in law enforcement so I've been around it, and I've heard he's a great chief and I'm just looking forward to it," said new TPD recruit Charles Ramsey.

Cadet Ramsey says it helps that the new chief knows the responsibility of walking the straight and narrow.

"You want a guy that's been around a while, he knows how things are done, he knows the proper procedures and he really looks out of the officers' interests. That's number one thing," Ramsey said.

"They may not see it, but they can definitely feel it, so having a good chief is very important," said Tulsa Police Corporal Dallas Jones.

Corporal Dallas Jones served under Chief Palmer before. He says individual officers, like the new recruits, will feel the impact of the new chief's leadership.

"I'm glad to have him back,â€ said Jones. â€œHe's one of us, heâ€™s been here, he knows our policies, our procedures, he's familiar with 'em, our regulations, and so it'll be a smooth transition and I think it'll be good for the department."

As the new cadets continue their training, they say they approve of the city's next top cop.

"It's definitely good to hear a familiar name called,â€ Ramsey said. â€œIt's good to know that we've got a chief coming in that can do a great job."

This class of cadets is scheduled to graduate in January.

Watch the video: New Recruits Joins The Force With A New Chief

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