Welcome to the Tulsa Police Department's monthly newsletter! It's been a busy few weeks as we're rolling into the holiday season. Let's take a look at the last month and what we have to look forward to in November.
Tulsa Police Officers Participate in BooHaHa parade in Brookside
The Tulsa Police Department joined in the Halloween-themed BooHaha parade in the city's Brookside neighborhood on Saturday.
The annual event allows children a daytime trick-or-treat experience alongside a parade down Peoria with several different organizations. The parade brought out thousands of spectators lining up along Peoria to see the different floats and groups involved.
The Tulsa Police Motorcycle Unit led the parade along with several of our wrapped vehicles, and officers passed out candy along the way.
This is just one of several Fall and Halloween-themed events Officers joined in on in October.
Gilcrease Division
We partnered with Timothy Baptist Church for the annual National Faith & Blue celebration on Oct. 12. This is an event that brings law enforcement and churches together to help build strong bonds with the community. Our Air Support Unit showed off the Department’s new Police 1 helicopter. We also had a bomb squad demonstration and bomb dog, Harley, on-site for some fun interaction with the kids.
The Gilcrease Division was invited to attend the first ever Community Pumpkin Patch at Kendall-Whittier Square, hosted by one of our community partners, Growing Together. Kids were given free pumpkins to paint or carve, and got to enjoy snacks, music, a photo booth, face painting, and more. Officer Brandon Slater helped hand out pumpkins, then gave out stickers and took photos with the kids.
The Tulsa Oilers also invited us to attend their “Kids Game Day,” where approximately 3,000 students from all over Oklahoma came to the BOK Center to play ice hockey with the Oilers. We were there to show off one of our Motorcycles and our Special Olympics Oklahoma wrapped vehicle. Officers Larry Woods and Josh Metcalf handed out stickers and were the first to welcome visitors from outside the BOK Center.
Mingo Valley Division
We kicked off the month with National Coffee With a Cop Day, where our officers enjoyed coffee and conversations with local residents, fostering connections and trust within the community.
Our presence extended to local schools, where we showcased our patrol vehicles and shared insights into a day in the life of a Tulsa Police Officer. These interactions not only educated the kids but also built excitement about law enforcement and trust.
The highlight of the month was undoubtedly the annual Faith & Blue event. In true MVD fashion, the day was filled with live music, delicious food from the hot grill, inspiring words from Chief Larsen, and the chance to view our helicopter. The smiles and high fives exchanged were a testament to the strong bond we share with the community.
Additionally, we celebrated the grand opening of Scheels, where the store honored TPD officers by donating several vests to our department. We are grateful for their support and look forward to continuing our community outreach efforts. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make October a memorable month for Mingo Valley Division!
Riverside Division
October started strong with Riverside Division Officers joining in on National Coffee With a Cop Day. Our Officers were given the chance to interact with members of the community as we built toward a busy slate of Fall-themed events.
Riverside hosted its own National Faith & Blue celebration during the work week at the Tulsa Dream Center's West Campus. Hasty Bake cooked the hamburgers, kids enjoyed food and games, and Maj. Roberts and Officers answered questions from the community.
Riverside Officers took part in the BooHaha Halloween-themed parade in the Brookside neighborhood, handing out candy and connecting with trick-or-treaters.
We're looking forward to building on these events and shifting momentum toward a busy holiday time for our community.
Upcoming Events
Epic Charter Schools Tour
We'll be leading a multi-stop tour of several TPD facilities for Epic Charter Schools. We’re excited to show off some department highlights such as our new heliport which is still under construction, the newly remodeled Public Safety Communications facility, and our Real Time Information Center at City Hall.
Date: Nov. 1
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Multiple
Coffee & Donuts with Officers
Officers will be out at the Walmart location near 81st Street and Lewis to spend time with customers and employees for coffee and donuts.
Date: Nov. 5
Time: 9 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.
Location: Walmart, 2019 E 81st St
Santa's Arrival at Woodland Hills
We'll have Officers out at Woodland Hills Mall to welcome Santa Clause as he makes his debut for the holiday season.
Date: Nov. 16
Time: 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Woodland Hills Mall, 7021 S Memorial Dr
No Shave November
Once again our Officers will be taking part in No Shave November.
This year, we're starting an annual "Badges & Staches" Fundraiser with the Tulsa Fire Department.
Who will have the Manliest Mustache? The Officers and Firefighters will begin the competition clean shaven on November 1st, and it will run through Dec. 15!
Mustaches will be voted on by members of the departments and community (more info on that to follow as we get closer!). Donations will go to The Children's Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis Health System! You can donate through GoFundMe or write a check to The Children's Hospital Foundation.
The loser of the competition will have their mustache shaved by kids at the Children's Hospital on Dec. 18 during the check presentation.
Our goal this year is $10,000 -- or more!
Downtown Robber Nabbed by Quick Responding Officers
On 10/19/2024 around 11:45 am, Officers were responding to an Armed Robbery that just occurred at the downtown Albert G's location.
The suspect had gotten into the back office at the restaurant and started taking cash, when employees confronted him a fight ensued. During the fight the suspect pulled the pistol from his waistband and told the two employees that he was going to shoot them.
The employees disengaged and the suspect fled on foot.
As Officers got closer, dispatch put out a description of the suspect. Through outstanding skills of observation, initial responding Officers spotted the suspect attempting to hide in plain sight by laying down next to an unhoused individual at 200 S. Elgin.
As Officers approached the suspect he reached toward his waistband, after some very stern instructions and warnings the suspect began to follow commands.
Officers were able to safely approach the suspect and take him into custody without further incident.
When we searched him, Officers found a black & silver BB gun stuffed in his pants along with a large knife. The BB gun was indistinguishable from a firearm. We also found cash and $50 in rolled quarters.
The manager for Albert G's came to the scene and positively identified the suspect.
The suspect, Curtis Eckwood, was booked in for Armed Robbery.
Photos of the Month 📸
I love seeing law enforcement actively participating in things like this—it’s such a great way to connect with the community and spread some holiday cheer. Kudos to the Tulsa Police Department for leading the way and making Halloween extra special for the kids (and adults too, I’m sure)! Those wrapped vehicles must have been a hit. It’s events like these that build trust and show the human side of law enforcement. Great job! ragdoll hit
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