Wendell Franklin discusses his vision for TPD, ‘Live PD’ and being named Tulsa’s first black police chief – Tulsa World

Maj. Wendell Franklin was introduced Wednesday as Tulsas next police chief.

I am so fearful of failing, OK, but I know I cant fail because I have such a great group of people around to help me, Franklin said during an afternoon press conference at City Hall.

Franklin, 46, was selected by Mayor G.T. Bynum to succeed Chief Chuck Jordan, who is retiring Feb. 1.

Out of the several excellent public servants, I have decided that Wendell Franklin is the best person to lead the Tulsa Police Department moving forward because he has a clear vision of the Tulsa Police Department, because he is an effective team builder with high standards, and because he knows personally the realities of community policing in all parts of our city, Bynum said.

Franklins passion for innovation and his selfless management style reflect the ideal that my administration seeks to install in the culture of our great city, the mayor said.

Franklin is the first African-American to serve as the citys police chief on a permanent basis. Deputy Chief Bobby Busby served as acting chief in the early 1990s.

Franklin, who was accompanied by his wife, Arquicia Franklin, and their two sons, said he and his family recognize the historic significance of his selection.

But I am so much more focused on where we need to go and what I need to do, he said.

Franklin was commander of the Gilcrease Division in historically black north Tulsa for several years, an experience he said has helped him appreciate the complex relationship between that community and the officers who serve it.

I have always tried to reach out in north Tulsa and be intentional, he said. And what were going to have to do is be more intentional in our outreach and how we go out into the community.

Bynum, too, acknowledged the historic significance of Franklins selection but said race did not play a factor in his decision.

I love the fact that the kids growing up in north Tulsa can see that a kid growing up in north Tulsa can become chief of police. I think that is a wonderful thing, Bynum said, but that is coincidental and was not a reason I made the decision.

Franklin joined the Tulsa Police Department in 1997. He is a 1992 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and a 1996 graduate of Langston University in Tulsa.

He began his TPD career patrolling in north Tulsa. He was promoted to sergeant and worked overnight in the Mingo Valley Division. He went on to become an administrative sergeant in the Special Investigations Division. As a captain, he worked overnight at the Gilcrease Division before being promoted to major.

He most recently led the departments Headquarters Division, where he oversaw accreditation and helped develop and implement policy.

Franklin said Wednesday that he plans to use the latest technology to enhance transparency and improve service.

One of the things I believe is, if you are not growing, if you are stagnant, if you dont want to change, well, change is happening, he said.

Asked about the citys participation in the Live PD television program a recent subject of controversy Franklin acknowledged the entertainment aspect of the show but also noted its benefits.

I will say this about Live PD, Live PD is entertainment. There is no question about it; it is entertainment, he said. But I will say that, where else can I for free as a chief of police, show transparency? Where else can I showcase the work of what TPD is doing on a national stage?

Franklin lives in Broken Arrow but said he plans to move into the city of Tulsa.

I just need to move over a couple blocks and be in a Tulsa address, he said.

Franklin was one of four finalists for the job. The others were Deputy Chiefs Jonathan Brooks, Dennis Larsen and Eric Dalgleish.

Bynum said several factors separated Franklin from the rest of the field.

I think the great distinguishing factors for him were his work as a front-line commander and officer to whom community policing came by instinct, the mayor said. He was out doing it before we knew to call it community policing, and that he has that reputation for being a great team builder.

City Council Chairman Ben Kimbro praised the mayors selection. Kimbro was one of 10 citizen panelists who interviewed the finalists.

Wendell Franklin is what you see is what you get, Kimbro said. He is honest; he is forthcoming. His expectations of command staff down to rookies is going to be very high.

I think it is a fantastic day and an opportunity, representational of the next steps in the growth of the Police Department. He is going to do a great job.

Sheriff Vic Regalado, a former Tulsa police officer, also praised the selection.

I can tell you Wendell possesses all the qualities that we look for in a chief of police integrity, strong work ethic, Regalado said. And he has a unique ability to connect and communicate with people of all various communities that make up the great city of Tulsa.

Bynum ended his remarks by thanking Jordan for his 50 years of service to the city, the last 10 as police chief.

Chief Jordan was exactly what this city needed at a low point in its history, Bynum said. And his steady hand has guided us through moments of severe trial and, more recently, moments of unprecedented growth. He has set a high bar.

Timeline: A look at Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordans career

Chuck Jordan joined the Tulsa Police Department in 1969. He was an inaugural member of its Special Operations Team in 1978 and led task forces targeting crime sprees and serial offenders, including the Shower Stall Rapist in 1980, the Morning Stalker in 1989 and the Brookside rapist in 1995.

In 1991, Jordan created the Tactical Response Squad to address armed robbery, arresting 183 robbery suspects in two years. He also served as the Street Crimes Unit/Serial Offender Operations sergeant targeting drug and serial offenders from 1993 until his retirement in 2001.

From September 2003 to September 2005, Jordan was a regional commander as part of the United Nations civilian police mission in war-torn Kosovo. Jordan credited this experience, where he led an international force of more than 1,200 police officers, with his interest in police administration.

In 2005, Jordan joined the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office. In the role, he supervised the countys SWAT team, reserve officer force and specialty teams until his appointment as interim chief of the Tulsa Police Department in 2010.

Appointed Interim Chief of Police: Jordan was sworn in as interim chief of police by Mayor Dewey Bartlett hours after the resignation of Chief Ron Palmer, who had held the position since 2007. The appointment came amid a citywide budget crisis and the same day 360 city employees, including 155 police officers, received layoff notices. The department also had a federal grand jury investigation of police corruption looming.

Named Chief of Police: After a spring filled with negotiations to rehire laid off officers and a summer which saw the indictment of multiple Tulsa officers in the ongoing corruption probe, Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced Jordan would lose his interim title and assume the office in a permanent role. In the nearly nine months at the helm, Jordan emphasized a return to the departments beat system, easing tensions between the city and police union, and continued efforts to combat police corruption. He would launch an officer misconduct tip line later that month as part of those efforts.

First police academy: Budget cuts forced a two-year gap in training officers that ended when Jordan addressed 42 apprentice police officers at the academy that morning. Forty of those officers would graduate that July.

Testimony in corruption trial: Jordan testified in federal court that officers violated department practice in a video that showed Tulsa officers put money in their own pockets during an FBI drug sting at a hotel. The corruption probe and resulting trials would lead to sweeping policy changes within the department involving informants and officers handling cash.

Good Friday shootings: Five black citizens in north Tulsa were shot and three of them died, sending shockwaves through the community. Jordan returned to his policing roots with Operation: Random Shooter, a joint task force of 30 investigators that led to the arrest of two men two days later. The shooters pleaded guilty and were sentenced to life without parole.

Apology for inaction: At Literacy, Legacy and Movement Day ceremonies at John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, Jordan apologized for the police department not protecting citizens during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. As your chief today, I can apologize for our police department. I am sorry and distressed that the Tulsa Police Department did not protect its citizens during those tragic days in 1921.

Terence Crutcher shooting: Jordan held a press conference the Monday after Tulsa police Officer Betty Shelby fired a shot that killed Crutcher, who was unarmed, in the middle of a north Tulsa street on a Friday night. Jordan called videos of Crutchers death very disturbing and very difficult to watch. Shelby was charged with manslaughter, later acquitted and left the department.

TPD fully implements body-worn cameras: After first testing body-worn cameras in November 2016, the departments full bodycam policy came to fruition under Jordans watch.

Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan announced his retirement after nine years leading the department.

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Wendell Franklin discusses his vision for TPD, 'Live PD' and being named Tulsa's first black police chief - Tulsa World