Tulsa Has 19 New Police Officers

Friday, June 16th 2006, 4:03 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa has 19 new police officers tonight. Thatâ€™s after a graduation ceremony at the academy for the department's newest graduating class. The new officers still have to go through 16 weeks of field training before they hit the streets.

Mayor Taylor says the new graduates, along with several retired officers who've returned to take desk jobs to free-up more, will help bolster the department and better protect the city.

Mayor Kathy Taylor, Tulsa: "That was one of the budget proposals that the council made that I told them I supported... looking for some additional funding to bring in those retired officers and allow our active officers to be out on the street where they want to be.. protecting the citizens."

Also today, Police Chief Dave Been revealed the departmentâ€™s "operation bullet trap" has resulted in 214 arrests with 235 felony charges. Officers have also confiscated 77 guns.