Oklahoma City Police Officers Placed on Leave After April Fools' Prank

Dispatchers were outraged after officers falsely reported throwing a baby out of a car window and running over a transient

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:38pm

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An extreme close-up of a cracked and damaged police radio microphone, its surface texture and material details sharply illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of the serious consequences of the officers' actions.A damaged police radio microphone symbolizes the breakdown of trust after a reckless April Fools' prank by Oklahoma City officers.Oklahoma City Today

Several Oklahoma City police officers have been placed on administrative leave after an internal investigation was launched into an April Fools' Day prank that involved false reports of a baby being thrown from a vehicle and a transient being run over. Dispatchers were angered when they realized the calls were hoaxes, as the incidents prompted a major emergency response.

Why it matters

Faking emergency calls not only wastes critical public safety resources, but it also endangers the public by diverting first responders away from real crises. The incident has raised concerns about accountability and discipline within the Oklahoma City Police Department.

The details

On April 1, dispatchers received transmissions from officers claiming that a fleeing motorist had thrown a baby out of a vehicle's window, and that another officer had run over a transient. Both reports were determined to be false pranks. An internal investigation was launched, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome.

  • The false reports were made on April 1, April Fools' Day.
  • The internal investigation was initiated after the police radio audio was published by KFOR on April 6, 2026.

The players

Oklahoma City Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that employed the officers involved in the April Fools' Day prank.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that responded to the original false call, along with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

Lance Terry

Oklahoma's state 911 coordinator, who commented on the dangers of faking emergency calls.

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What they’re saying

“That wasn't funny”

— Dispatcher

“Anytime we have emergency calls that are false, it wastes resources within the 911 center and also the response, and it also endangers the public.”

— Lance Terry, Oklahoma's state 911 coordinator

What’s next

The internal investigation by the Oklahoma City Police Department is ongoing to determine the full extent of the officers' involvement and potential disciplinary actions.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the serious consequences of misusing emergency services, even as an April Fools' prank. It underscores the need for strict accountability and discipline within police departments to maintain public trust and ensure the proper use of critical public safety resources.