Tulsa proposes public safety advisory board

New citizen board would review police, fire, and emergency practices and policies.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:54pm

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Tulsa's public safety commissioner and city council chairwoman have proposed creating a new citizen advisory board to review practices, policies, and complaints related to the city's police and fire departments, jail, 911 system, and emergency management.

Why it matters

The proposed advisory board aims to increase transparency and community oversight of Tulsa's public safety agencies, which have faced some controversies in recent years around use of force and emergency response times.

The details

The new advisory board would be tasked with reviewing the policies, practices, and public complaints pertaining to the Tulsa Police Department, Fire Department, city jail, 911 call center, and the city's emergency management system. The board would then provide recommendations to the city council and mayor's office.

  • The proposal for the public safety advisory board was announced on March 22, 2026.

The players

Tulsa Public Safety Commissioner

The head of Tulsa's public safety department, responsible for overseeing the police, fire, and emergency services.

Tulsa City Council Chairwoman

The elected leader of Tulsa's city council, which would need to approve the creation of the new advisory board.

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What they’re saying

“This advisory board will give the community a stronger voice in how our public safety agencies operate and respond to concerns.”

— Tulsa City Council Chairwoman

What’s next

The city council will need to vote on and approve the proposal to establish the new public safety advisory board in the coming months.

The takeaway

Tulsa's plan for a citizen-led public safety advisory board reflects a growing trend of cities seeking more community oversight and transparency around police, fire, and emergency services in response to past controversies.