Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Oklahoma Highway Patrol
Established:	1937
Governor:	Brad Henry
Commissioner:	Kevin Ward
Chief of the Patrol:	Van Guillotte

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is a state law enforcement agency of the Government of Oklahoma. It is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was legislatively created in 1937 due to the growing problem of motor vehicle accidents, the expansion of a highway system, and the increase in criminal activities. Today, they comprise highly trained and motivated sworn troopers and civilian personnel who are dedicated to serve the citizens of Oklahoma.

As the principal statewide law enforcement agency in Oklahoma, the State Patrol is dedicated to providing quality policing directed at achieving safer roadways and reducing crime through pro-active investigations, education and patrol services and by providing leadership and resources during natural disasters, civil disorders and critical incidents.

History

In 1937, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was created under Governor E. W. Marland. That same year the first 125 graduated from the Highway Patrol Academy. The new state troopers met resistance from Oklahoma motorists who were not used to living within the bounds of traffic regulations when none had ever before existed. But the troopers were prepared for this as they paved the way for all future officers by exerting good manners and service to all citizens. A total of 288,277 warnings compared with only 5,518 arrests and citations were written in the first nine months of patrol. Even today, motorists will declare that troopers are well-mannered, friendly and hospitable while maintaining an unrivaled level of professionalism.

With almost 800 troopers statewide, the division has grown into several areas of special services including Public Information, Capitol Patrol, Lake Patrol, Training, Bomb Squad, Motorcycle, Tactical Teams, Special Operations, Aircraft, Audits and Fraudulent Driver License. The department revived "The Flying Squadron", a motorcycle division that utilizes Harley Davidson motorcycles. A bomb squad was organized who operate state-of-the-art equipment unparalleled in Oklahoma including two bomb trucks and robots. The east and west tactical teams continue to send their troopers through specialized training programs that elevate them to the best in the state. Special Operations, formerly Criminal Interdiction, now has troopers who each have a well-trained drug canine.

Mission

The mission of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol: Working to provide a safe, secure environment for the public through courteous, quality and professional services.

Core Values

Loyalty, Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Professionalism, and Self Discipline

Field Troops

File:OHP Troops.png

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop divisions

The majority of the members are assigned to the thirteen field Troops, A through M and the turnpike Troops, X and Y. These field troopers are responsible for patrolling Oklahoma's 111,994 miles of city, county, and state maintained roads and highways. Field troopers are first responders to emergency situations from traffic collisions to natural disasters and civil disorders. Troopers provide everyday service to the public, whether it be a motorist assist or promoting Oklahoma to a visitor in the state. Troopers are prepared and willing to assist any law enforcement agency when asked and perceptive to take the initiative to offer assistance when needed.

District	Headquarters	Coverage
Troop A	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Metro OKC including Oklahoma, Logan, Lincoln, Canadian, Pottawatomie, Cleveland, and McClain Counties
Troop B	Tulsa, Oklahoma	Tulsa, Creek, and Okmulgee Counties
Troop C	Muskogee, Oklahoma	McIntosh, Muskogee, Sequoyah, Adair, Cherokee, Haskell, and Wagoner Counties
Troop D	McAlester, Oklahoma	Le Flore, Latimer, Seminole, Pittsburg, Hughes, and Okfuskee Counties
Troop E	Durant, Oklahoma	McCurtain, Choctaw, Bryan, Marshall, Atoka, Coal, and Pushmataha Counties
Troop F	Ardmore, Oklahoma	Garvin, Pontotoc, Murray, Love, and Johnston Counties
Troop G	Lawton, Oklahoma	Caddo, Commanche, Cotton, Grady, Stephens, and Jefferson Counties
Troop H	Clinton, Oklahoma	Roger Mills, Beckham, Dewey, Custer, and Washita Counties
Troop I	Guymon, Oklahoma	Cimmaron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Ellis, and Woodward Counties
Troop J	Enid, Oklahoma	Kingfisher, Blaine, Garfield, Major, Woods, Alfalfa, and Grant Counties
Troop K	Pawnee, Oklahoma	Osage, Pawnee, Kay, Noble, and Payne Counties
Troop L	Vinita, Oklahoma	Washington, Rogers, Delaware, Ottawa, Craig, and Mayes Counties
Troop M	Altus, Oklahoma	Kiowa, Jackson, Greer, and Harmon Counties
Troop MC (Motorcycle)	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Oklahoma, Tulsa Counties
Troop XA		Will Rogers Turnpike
Troop XB		Muskogee Turnpike
Troop XC		Indian Nation Turnpike
Troop XD		Cherokee Turnpike
Troop XE		Creek Turnpike
Troop YA		Cimarron Turnpike
Troop YB		Turner Turnpike
Troop YC		H. E. Bailey Turnpike
Troop YE		John Kilpatrick Turnpike

Special Troops

The Special Troops are Troops organized with a specific goal in mind.

Troop Z-Criminal Investigations Division

Troop Z is the criminal investigations division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety/Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troop Z investigators are trained to investigate and reconstruct trooper involved shootings, auto theft investigations, identity theft crimes, felony traffic related deaths, fugitive investigations, and assist other agencies as required or needed. All troopers/investigators assigned to Troop Z receive thousands of hours of specialized training from all over the United States. Including, but not limited to: the Texas Rangers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This training includes forensic crime scene processing, homicide investigator schools, evidence collection, search warrant execution, shooting/crime scene reconstruction, and auto theft investigator schools.

Troop SO - Special Operations

Troop SO is divided into four divisions: Criminal Interdiction, Evidence, and Asset Forteiture.

• Criminal Interdiction consists of Troopers with special training and equipment to enable them to detect and arrest criminals of all types as they travel on the highways of Oklahoma. This group of Troopers are also trained as Canine Handlers.
• Evidence is responsible for receiving and tracking all evidence and contraband that is seized by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
• Asset Forfeiture tracks all arrests, both in state and federal courts, where the Oklahoma Highway Patrol may be involved in seizure of property.

Troop R - Capitol Patrol

The Capitol Patrol Section is responsible for law enforcement, police services, safety and protection of the State Capitol Complex in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The Troop has the primary responsibility to provide for the safety and security of all three branches of Oklahoma State government and, in addition, is also the primary law enforcement agency for over 70 state facilities and thousands of citizens, visitors, elected officials, and employees each day.

Troop ES - Executive Security

The Executive Security Division carries out the Department's statutory mandate to provide protection, security services, and transportation, for the Governor and their immediate family and the Lieutenant Governor.

Troop MC - Motorcycles

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol re-introduced motorcycles in January 1999 after phasing them out in the early 1940s. Today the Patrol operates a fleet of Harley Davidson Road King and Electra Glide police motorcycles. The primary mission of the motorcycle division is traffic enforcement. The motorcycles are assigned to Oklahoma City and Tulsa, working the high traffic corridors that run through the two cities. In addition to traffic enforcement the unit also provides escorts for special events such as Presidential visits,promote motorcycle safety and conduct other special duties assigned by the Chief's office.

In 2005 the Oklahoma Highway Patrol seized a Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa motorcycle. The Hayabusa motorcycle is a sportbike type motorcycle, and with its introduction in 1999 the Hayabusa took the title of speed king. The seized OHP Hayabusa hit the interstate with a radar unit, emergency lights and siren, Corbin saddlebags, and a fresh OHP paint job. The response to the OHP 'Busa was overwhelming. Two more have been purchased and can be found patrolling the OKC Metro area, as well as making special appearances at local motorcycle events. For more info google search Oklahoma Highway Patrol Hayabusa.

http://ohpmotorunit.blogspot.com/

http://ohpbusa.blogspot.com/

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Troop S

More commonly known as Size and Weights, Troop S is mainly concerned with Commercial Motor Vehicle enforcement. By employing innovative and effective enforcement strategies based upon statistical data, the troopers of Troop S pursue public safety through the reduction of commercial vehicle crashes.

Troop T - Training

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Training Division is responsible for the entry-level and continuing education of all department employees. The Training Division comprises four detachments including Technical Skills, Academy Development, Defensive Tactics, and Legal Research. In addition to these detachments, the training division oversees the day to day management of the Oklahoma Police Corps, and the Statewide D.A.R.E. program. The primary function of the OHP Training Division is to plan, organize, and conduct the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy as well as continuing education programs for all Department employees. The training division is located on the Department of Public Safety grounds in the Robert R. Lester Training Center. The training center houses classrooms, a dormitory, cafeteria facilities, a computer lab, and a physical fitness center sufficient to conduct both an OHP Academy and on-going training concurrently. The facility is also home to the Department’s Command Center as well as the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

Troop O - Aircraft

Personnel in this section provide airborne assistance to OHP ground units in traffic enforcement, manhunt and search and rescue operations. This division also provides state administrative personnel with transportation. The department currently operates a fleet of 9 fixed-wing aircraft and 4 helicopters.

Troop W - Lake Patrol

The marine law enforcement branch of the department provides service to 38 state lakes and recreation areas consisting of 4,385 miles of shoreline and 490,215 surface acres of water. In addition to regular water patrol duties, troopers are called upon to conduct search and rescue missions, investigate boating accidents and drowning incidents and assist state and local authorities in natural disaster situations where their expertise is needed.

Dive Team

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Dive Team consist of a team made up of troopers & supervisors from throughout the state. Their primary purpose is to provide a recovery team at any location in the state of Oklahoma for the recovery of victims, vehicles, and/or evidence from drownings, vehicle or boating accidents, natural disasters, and the investigation of any criminal act involving the waters of the state. The Dive Team also responds to request for public relations such as displays, festivities, public education, etc.

Bomb Squad

The Bomb Squad, consisting of bomb techs and K9s, is responsible for 75 counties (excluding Oklahoma and Tulsa counties). Bomb techs respond to all bomb calls and are Haz-Mat trained to handle chemical events. They also instruct CLEET and local Fire and Police in explosive and hazardous materials awareness.

Tactical Team

The OHP Tactical Team has been in existence since 1978. The Tactical Team responds to manhunts, search & rescue operations, high risk warrants, hostage/barricaded subjects and any other duties required by the Chief's Office. Tactical Team troopers are dispersed geographically throughout the state enabling the team to respond to most situations within a short period of time.

See also

• List of law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma

External link

• Oklahoma Highway Patrol Official Site