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Aug 2, 2020

Oklahoma City Community Policing Working Group Formed

City Manager Craig Freeman announced the formation of the Oklahoma City Community Policing Working Group, which will study how to expand and increase effective programs for alternative responses, youth outreach and more.

Post Date: 08/03/2020 1:22 PM

City Manager Craig Freeman announced the formation of the Oklahoma City Community Policing Working Group, which will study how to expand and increase effective programs for alternative responses, youth outreach and more. The City Council voted June 16 to create the group based on a resolution authored by Ward 2 Councilperson James Cooper. The Council resolution recognized progress police have made through the years in community policing, and challenges the working group, the City Manager and the Police Department to identify innovative tactics to enhance the program. “We’ve assembled community leaders from diverse backgrounds who are committed to helping us improve our policing strategies,” said Freeman. “We expect benefits across our community, especially for our most vulnerable residents, and also for police officers performing a difficult job.” The members are:

  • Tim Tardibono, Criminal Justice Advisory Council

  • Maj. Ron Bacy

  • Maj. Vashina Butler

  • Pastor James Dunbar

  • Grace Franklin

  • Garland Pruitt

  • Paula Sophia

  • Police Chief Wade Gourley

  • Erika Lucas

  • Pastor Michael McDaniel

  • Municipal Court Administrator LaShawn Thompson

  • Assistant City Manager Kenton Tsoodle (group facilitator)

The group will have six areas of focus:

  • Training for police officers in crisis response

  • Officer access to mental health services

  • Alternative responses to mental health calls

  • Youth outreach

  • Expansion of homeless outreach initiatives

  • Creation of a neighborhood safety/violence interruption program

The group will meet regularly starting in August and plans to present formal recommendations in 2021.

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