Community-Driven Feedback Used In Selection Of New OKC Police Chief

During the six-month nationwide search for a new police chief, the city gathered a group of 50 people from different areas of the community. The group provided their input on what they wanted in the next chief. Engaging, strategic, inspirational, and a champion of continuous improvement were the top qualities they wanted to see.

“I was hoping it would be him,” said community leader Jabee Williams.

Williams grew up on the east side of Oklahoma City and was one of the 50 stakeholders who provided feedback to the city’s hiring consultant, Public Sector Search & Consulting.

“I think the main thing is somebody who's interested in you know getting out of their police car, getting out of their office, and speaking to people and hearing the concerns of the people,” Williams said. 

The hiring consultant received 23 applications for the Chief position representing applicants from California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Ontario Canada. The community representatives’ feedback was used in the recruitment brochure to help build interview questions and screen candidates.

“Leadership was identified as one of the biggest reasons that morale was low and one of the things we needed to improve on,” said Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Nelson.

Nelson said he’s optimistic about the city's choice.

“We will absolutely put our best foot forward, I’m sure he will address those concerns,” Nelson said. “The communication and the ability to work together for our members and the men and women who do this job which is most important.”

Some of those concerns include the need for more officers, according to Nelson.

“We're 200, 250 officers short in our opinion of where we need to be,” said Nelson.

Chief Bacy says he will work on building up the department and retention. Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson, III says Bacy cares and will go over and beyond for the community and the well-being of the officers he serves.

“Law enforcement needs each other more now than ever to understand it is our job collectively to protect this community,” said Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson, III. “Ron Bacy is a relationship guy, he is a builder, he is a creator that will work seamlessly under him.”

To serve and protect the community he calls home.

“He wants to see peace in our city and peace in our community and reducing gun violence and you do that by building trust with the community,” said Williams.

The feedback these members gave was also given to Chief Bacy to use as he starts his new role.