Tulsa Police Department Struggling To Attract, Retain New Officers

The Tulsa Police Department faces a pressing challenge. The department, like many nationwide, is looking for police officers.

"We are wanting to get more applicants,” said Khara Bresee, recruiting officer for TPD.

In recent months, a lack of qualified applicants has the department looking at staffing in the future.

"When people are going through the academy, we are having people retire so we're not keeping up with that number," said Bresee.

Bresee said on top of retirements, they've also had 18 officers - mostly young officers - leave for other jobs this year.

She said applications to replace these officers is so low, they had to postpone an upcoming academy to January because only nine of the applicants met qualifications, which include a bachelor’s degree, psychological exam and background check.

Bresee said the pandemic, the political climate, and misconceptions about law enforcement are all playing a factor.

"Maybe their family doesn't want them to be in this career path, maybe it's what they see on TV, what they see on social media," said Bresee.

Fraternal Order of Police President Jeff Downs said the pay is also impacting some wanting to join the department.

"In the state of Oklahoma, we're the second largest and yet we're eighth in pay,” said Downs. “The staffing crisis could be a big issue here if it’s not fixed.”

Downs said the FOP, city, and department are all on board and working together in finding ways to pay more and compete with surrounding departments.

In the meantime, however, recruiting officers in Tulsa are ramping up their efforts.

"We're going to expand it and use advertising and social media and get the message out of what we are," said Bresee.

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