TPD Reports Increase In Violent Crime, 40% Increase In Assaults On Officers

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said assaults on Tulsa Officers are up 40% from last year.

Chief Franklin said violent crimes in general are up and they are not sure why.

He said this has been a tough year for everyone, from searching for two children who later drowned, to dealing with protests and having a brother killed in the line of duty. He said he's proud of his officers for pushing through and thanks Tulsa for having their back.

"Our officers are going through unprecedented circumstances right now and they are human,” Franklin said.

Franklin said 95 Tulsa officers have been assaulted this year, compared to 62 last year. Homicides in Tulsa are up nearly 20% this year, at 54.

Franklin said domestic violence calls are the most dangerous calls officers go on and so far, they've responded to 12,500 of them, as well as 446 domestic strangulations.

"Perhaps it’s the pandemic that's knocked everything off kilter,” Franklin said. “But there are certain things that we on the Tulsa Police Department are doing in an attempt to get a grasp on the violent crime that is occurring within Tulsa.”

The Tulsa Police Crime Gun and Gang Units have taken 241 illegal guns off the streets and Franklin said that is a big win in keeping Tulsa safe.

"All in all, we remain committed to providing professional service to the citizens of Tulsa,” said Franklin. “We are going to do what we have to ensure that that professional service continues."

Franklin said he’s added units that focus on community relationships and is holding officers and supervisors accountable. Franklin said the recent McGirt ruling has also created a lot of confusion for officers.

He said even though times are tough, he's thankful for Tulsa's support.

"I still think that the overwhelming majority of the community supports law enforcement in Tulsa and want to make sure that we have a safe community,” said Franklin.

Chief Franklin said he’s hired a citizen executive to research each case of use of force, as one way to better the department.