Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin Reflects On His Time In The Position Ahead Of Wednesday Retirement

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin is in his final days as head of the department as he will retire on Wednesday. Franklin has been with the department in various roles for more than 27 years and was appointed to Chief in 2020.

Chief Franklin says he never had any plans to become Chief, he just wanted to be a police officer when he joined the department. He says while he doesn't regret climbing the ranks and becoming Chief, he misses being out on the streets, being a cop and serving the community, and if he still was he may be more inclined to stick around.

"I'm feeling good. I felt like you know I've done all I can for this department,” said Franklin.

Franklin says it was always important for him to leave the job on his terms.

"I think for me this is the perfect time as we transition with our government. I think it is a great time to let somebody else come in and infuse some new vigor and blood into the police department,” said Franklin.

Franklin's four years as chief haven’t been easy. In his first six months on the job in 2020, he dealt with a global pandemic, civil unrest, a presidential visit, and the murder of Sergeant Craig Johnson and the attempted murder of Officer Aurash Zarkeshan. 

"People have asked me, if you knew today, if you knew then how things were going to play out, that we were going to have a pandemic, we were going to have social unrest, you know would you have taken the job as chief, and I have to say yes I would have because it's really shaped me. It's made me better,” said Franklin.

Franklin says what he will miss most about the job is back when he was out on the streets, as "one of the guys" working to keep the city safe.

"I tell people I dress up like a policeman, but I haven't been a policeman for years. I'm an administrator and I don't get to go out and do some of the great heroic things our officers out there do,” said Franklin. 

Franklin says the department has made a lot of strides in his time, like the advancements in technology with the Real Time Information Center. He says recruiting, has and will be a challenge, but says that’s because TPD has a high standard for officers.

"I think people need to understand that ultimately this department, in this city, in the way we police, we police like no other place in the United States. Tulsa is different. Tulsa has always been supportive of law enforcement,” said Franklin.

Franklin will be starting a new job as the head of corporate security for BOK Financial in September.

Current Deputy Chief Dennis Larsen will officially be taking over as Chief on Aug. 1st.