Rally at Memorial High School supports Tulsa Police

Sunday, hundreds of folks showed up to show support for those who serve and protect. News on 6 reporter Ashli Sims says the crowd rallied around one person in particular.<br/><br/>Their job is to serve

Sunday, February 26th 2006, 6:26 pm

By: News On 6

Sunday, hundreds of folks showed up to show support for those who serve and protect. News on 6 reporter Ashli Sims says the crowd rallied around one person in particular.

Their job is to serve and protect and sometimes its a thankless one, but Sunday afternoon was dedicated to Tulsa Police officers to show them they are appreciated.

Alice McGregor: "the appreciation i think we should do this once or twice a year uhm they are not appreciated very much and they do put their lives on the line every time they put their uniform on and get in their car to go do their job."

Its been a rough week for the Tulsa police officers. Mayor Bill LaFortune put chief of police Dave Been on administrative leave for witholding a negative report about the SWAT team. Then there was a major shake-up in leadership with two chief deputies reassigned and five of nine majors transferred.

KFAQ Radio planned the rally weeks ago, but radio personality Michael Delgiorno says given this week's events its become even more important.

Michael DelGiorno: "our goal was never to be political but be very american and in a representative republic let people come out and show the people who protect and serve that we appreciate them and they're number one."

Officers in the crowd got a warm applause. But this pro-police rally quickly took on the tone of a pro-Been rally. One woman wore her support.

Alice: "last night I sat on my computer and got some iron-ons and made this shirt so chief been knows I support em."

Support for all officers was the goal and acting chief Bill Wells says it will help boost morale.

Acting Tulsa Police Chief Bill Wells: "these officers just need the thanks of these people for the work that they do and I can guarantee the officers feel that and it makes their jobs a lot easier