Oklahoma Highway Patrol addresses concerns pulling troopers from OKC & Tulsa metro

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma Highway Patrol addressed the public about the agency's plan to move troopers out of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas.

Effective in November, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will reallocate its troopers to areas that have the largest need for Patrol.

OHP will shift the responsibility inside the Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Del City, and Tulsa city limits to local police departments within those boundaries.

"It's not an easy decision, it's no doubt it is somewhat of a burden on these other agencies to be able to take those calls for service," said Tim Tipton, DPS Commissioner.

However, Commissioner Tipton says it's something that needs to be done.

"If you're to leave the Oklahoma City or Tulsa area after 11:00, 12:00 at night, there's not a trooper out working on I-35, I-40, they're at home," said Tipton.

The Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros each have around 2,000 total law enforcement officers.

"The more rural area you get into, a lot fewer police officers and deputies out there, a lot sparser coverage to respond to immediate needs for assistance of citizens," said Tipton.

That's why Commissioner Tipton says they're switching gears, pulling troopers from Oklahoma City and Tulsa to focus on rural areas and forming a dedicated interstate troop to cover I-35, I-40, and I-44, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

With that move comes a shift in responsibility to local law enforcement in the metro.

"This will be a huge burden and a significant burden on any agency that now has to take on the responsibilities that OHP has done for decades," said Mark Nelson, president of, Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police.

Nelson has many concerns regarding these changes.

"Just resources, manpower, the time and the bodies, the officers to respond to these types of calls, these accidents specifically on an interstate are not done quickly, they're not resolved quickly," said Nelson.

Commissioner Tipton says OHP will still respond to calls for assistance.

"Because they need an additional law enforcement officer there, they need some of the incident is something that they're not trained to respond to, we'll respond to it," said Tipton.

Sen. Mark Mann has also asked Attorney General Gentner Drummond to review the legality of OHP's new plan.

Many police departments are pushing back; these are the statements News 4 has received.

Regarding OHP’s announcement that they will be ceasing enforcement in the OKC metro, this action could seriously diminish our ability to respond to priority calls and violent crimes where response times are critical. This is being reviewed by the appropriate authority, and a legal opinion will be forthcoming from them shortly. Once that is received, we will determine the next steps we need to take, if any.

Oklahoma City Police Department

We’re in communication with other affected municipalities and are working to identify both areas of need and potential resource solutions. As developments unfold, we’ll continue collaborating with our community partners to understand expectations and determine how we can best maintain safety and service along this corridor.

Edmond Police Department

The Norman Police Department is actively evaluating the operational impact of assuming responsibility for coverage along Interstate 35 through Norman. This significant shift requires a careful assessment to determine the most effective and sustainable course of action.

Redirecting personnel to cover the interstate will inevitably impact staffing levels and our ability to respond to other calls for service throughout the city. While current data emphasizes the number of collisions along this corridor, it does not fully capture the broader range of incidents that require police response—such as road rage, motorist assists, traffic hazards, criminal activity, and debris removal. The scope of work extends far beyond traffic collisions alone.

In addition to increased response responsibilities, NPD would also have to assume proactive enforcement duties on this stretch of interstate to help prevent future collisions and loss of life.

We remain in close communication with our metro law enforcement partners to determine next steps and ensure that public safety remains our top priority.

Norman Police Department

The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) acknowledges the announcements made during today’s press conference by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. These developments represent a potential shift in their operations, with implications for law enforcement resources and operational capacity, particularly in metropolitan areas where demands on policing are already high.

Currently, OACP continues to engage with all agencies as they assess the full scope of these changes. We remain committed to supporting law enforcement professionals at every level, emphasizing the importance of coordination, transparency, and collaboration at all times.

OACP will continue to stand with its members across Oklahoma, both in urban centers and rural communities, as they navigate these evolving circumstances with professionalism and care. Our focus remains clear: supporting agencies in delivering exceptional public safety services to the communities we serve, while adapting effectively to emerging challenges.

Chief Todd Gibson, President of the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police