OKC FOP Calling For Better Protection For Officers

Oklahoma City’s chief of police is responding to demands by the rank and file for higher-powered weaponry on the streets. 

The president of the police union said officers should be allowed to add rifles to their daily arsenal. 

Police Chief Bill Citty received a letter from FOP President John George Wednesday afternoon. George said in light of what happened last week in Dallas and other recent mass shootings, OKCPD officers need rifles and better body armor and shields out in the field. He said currently the entire police department of more than a thousand officers has to make do with just 160 rifles.

Police Chief Bill Citty said that number is actually 200, and 85 more rifles will soon be spread amongst supervisors.

George said supervisors generally aren’t the first on the scene when shooting takes place.

Chief Citty also said he will not authorize officers to purchase their own rifles or ammunition while on duty. 

“There are some cities that do that,” Chief Citty said. “I just feel like it’s in the best interest of this department and the city that we provide equipment for our officers, that they don’t have to buy their own.” 

Chief Citty said there are things the FOP wants, but they are too expensive to seriously consider.