Muskogee Police Department
Encyclopedia
Muskogee Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency
in Muskogee, Oklahoma
. Consisting of 91 sworn officers and 28 civilian employees, the department serves a population of over 40,000 people.
The department is under the supervision and operational command of Chief of Police
Rex Eskridge, a member of the department since 1969 and police chief since 1992.
and a city marshal.
The Special Operations Team responds to the following:
The Special Operations Team has a team membership with the National Tactical Officers Association.
The Department also has K-9 Units and Horse Patrol Units.
The department was brought into the computer age in 1995 by Vince Jacobs and Tommy Taylor, aided by a grant from the Department of Justice. A state-of-the-art PC based computer network was installed along with a new phone system to replace the IBM System 36 and old antiquated phone network.
, in 2002, 2008 and 2009, no murders were committed for the entire year.
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
in Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, and home to Bacone College. The population was 38,310 at the 2000 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma....
. Consisting of 91 sworn officers and 28 civilian employees, the department serves a population of over 40,000 people.
The department is under the supervision and operational command of Chief of Police
Chief of police
A Chief of Police is the title typically given to the top official in the chain of command of a police department, particularly in North America. Alternate titles for this position include Commissioner, Superintendent, and Chief constable...
Rex Eskridge, a member of the department since 1969 and police chief since 1992.
History
The Muskogee Police Department was established in 1898. Prior to its establishment, law enforcement in Muskogee was provided by the United States Marshals ServiceUnited States Marshals Service
The United States Marshals Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice . The office of U.S. Marshal is the oldest federal law enforcement office in the United States; it was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789...
and a city marshal.
Mission
The mission of the Muskogee Police Department is enhancement of the quality of life of residents and visitors through effective crime reduction, preservation of peace, and responsiveness to social changes in the community, accomplished through a police-community partnership focusing on proactive policing and crime prevention.Structure
The Department is headed by a Police Chief, with an Assistant Chief as the Chief's primary deputy. Under the Chief and Assistant Chief are three divisions, each headed by a Police Major:- Police Support Services Division – responsible for headquarters staff, central administrative funcations, communications and dispatch
- Investigations and Special Services Division – responsible for investigating crimes and other special services
- Law Enforcement Patrol Division – responsible for general law enforcement
Specialized Units
The Muskogee Police Department Special Operations Team provides a highly trained and highly skilled tactical team as a resource for the Department in handling critical incidents.The Special Operations Team responds to the following:
- Hostage Situations: The holding of any person(s) against their will by an armed or potentially armed suspect.
- Barricade Situations: The standoff created by an armed or potentially armed suspect in any location, whether fortified or not, who is refusing to comply with police demands for surrender. This includes armed suicidal suspects.
- Sniper Situations: The firing upon citizens and/or police by an armed suspect, whether stationary or mobile.
- Apprehension: The arrest or apprehension of armed or potentially armed suspect(s) where there is the likelihood of armed resistance.
- Warrant Service: The service of search or arrest warrants where there is a likelihood of armed or potentially armed suspect(s) and there is the potential of armed resistance.
- Personal Protection: The security of special persons, such as VIPs, witnesses, or suspects, based on threat or potential threat to the well being of those persons.
- Special Assignments: Any assignment, approved by the Chief of Police or SOT Commander, based upon the level of threat or the need for a special expertise.
The Special Operations Team has a team membership with the National Tactical Officers Association.
The Department also has K-9 Units and Horse Patrol Units.
The department was brought into the computer age in 1995 by Vince Jacobs and Tommy Taylor, aided by a grant from the Department of Justice. A state-of-the-art PC based computer network was installed along with a new phone system to replace the IBM System 36 and old antiquated phone network.
Crime
Since 1995, crime rate has reduced 45% in Muskogee. According to records by the Oklahoma State Bureau of InvestigationOklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is an independent state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. The OSBI assists the city police departments of the state and is the primary investigative agency of the state government...
, in 2002, 2008 and 2009, no murders were committed for the entire year.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Muskogee Police Department, 8 officers have died in the line of duty.| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer L. F. Harvey | |
Gunfire |
| Police Officer Sam Neal | |
Gunfire |
| Traffic Officer Leslie Jennings | |
Struck by vehicle |
| Night Captain Charles W. Bowman | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman John Emond Hensley | |
Gunfire |
| Police Officer Romie H. Hinson | |
Gunfire |
| Chief of Detectives Ben L. Bolton | |
Gunfire |
| Captain Charles Owen Purdin | |
Motorcycle accident |