Community policing evaluation says Tulsa police needs to improve transparency
TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Police Department has some work to do when it comes to transparency, according to a report by policing firm CNA.
The 120-page report evaluates the department's community policing efforts, listing several of the department's successes, like their work with the Hispanic community, and failures -- including transparency.
“For us, we always welcome external review of the department," said Deputy Chief Eric Dalgliesh. "We don’t always pretend we have all the answers.”
The report incorporates community feedback.
“Why are reports like this important?” asked NewsChannel 8's Daniela Ibarra.
"Reports like this are incredibly important because they help to demystify and kind of change the perspective of what community policing is and means and why it's an important thing," explained Dr. David McLeod, a former police detective and associate professor at the University of Oklahoma.
One of the transparency issues TPD is working to tackle is its website, which is outdated.
The department has noted the 2021 data attack on the city has complicated that project.
“We have openly admitted that this is a challenge for us," said Dalgliesh.
Tulsa police released their action plan for the next few years, which includes updating the website.
Sheyda Brown, deputy director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation is optimistic about TPD's plans, but she says there's one thing missing.
"We did not see an implementation of the Office of Independent Monitor in this plan," she noted. "We really believe the first step to community policing and building that trust and building more transparency is to have a form of accountability."
Tulsa police said in their plan they plan to host more community meetings.
