ARTICLE FROM TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTER

Many of you have seen the recent newspaper articles relating to Glenpool, Jenks, and Bixby's discussions with our office regarding contract policing. We recently met with officials from these three municipalities and are exploring the possibility of the Sheriff's Office policing these cities. The advantage would be having one or two supervisors on shift to supervise the officers in the communities and the areas of Tulsa County, which is unincorporated. It is my desire to have the streets officers remain in the Municipal Police Retirement System; however at this time it is not possible. We are attempting to change the law to allow officers in this situation to stay in the system and for new deputies to have the ability to join the system and have the opportunity for a twenty year retirement. I have met with the state president of the FOP as well as the Tulsa area Chiefs and I believe they are committed to working with us in this direction. I am not attempting to take over any police department, but I am an elected official and it is my duty to provide police services for all of Tulsa County. The municipalities collect taxes for police services and assume the major responsibility in their jurisdiction. We will work with all of the municipalities to provide those services, in which ever form works best for their cities and elected officials. For now, these services will remain with in their own police departments.