Broken Arrow Police Chief Brandon Berryhill announces his retirement

Broken Arrow Police Chief Brandon Berryhill announced his retirement today after 32 years of law enforcement service, 30 with the City of Broken Arrow. Chief Berryhill will continue to serve as the Chief through October 31^st while a nationwide search for his replacement is completed.

Chief Berryhill is the 9^th Chief of Police for the Broken Arrow Police Department and has served in that role since 2017. Chief Berryhill has led the department through the McGirt Decision, multiple weather-related events, civil unrest, COVID-19, budgetary challenges, body-worn cameras, and ushered in the new Mobile Report/Dispatch/Records management programs.

“I moved to Broken Arrow as a newlywed 30 years ago. We were immediately welcomed by the city we have called home. I am blessed to have raised my family here. I am certain growing up in Broken Arrow was a huge factor in my children’s lives. I am grateful for the support from my wife throughout this journey and attribute much of my success to her support. It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Broken Arrow. As scripture states in Matthew 23:11, ‘The greatest among you shall be your servant.’”

Berryhill joined the Broken Arrow Police Department in 1994, after serving two years as a campus police officer for the University of Central Oklahoma. He served as a Major for seven years, Deputy Chief of Police for six years, and Chief of Police for seven years.

He has championed the relationship between the department and the community his entire career. Early in his career, he started the first initiative for a skatepark for the City of Broken Arrow. He has instructed and later supported the Citizens Police Academy, Junior Police Academy, and initiated the creation of the Citizens Police Academy in Spanish recognized by the Department of Justice. The most recent and notable outreach program includes the Mounted Patrol Unit. The recent community survey conducted indicated that 83 percent of residents feel Broken Arrow is a safe place to work, live, and raise a family. Chief Berryhill holds the trust from the public in high regard.

Chief Berryhill has secured funding to create the department’s first Real Time Crime Information Center. This state-of-the-art center will bring together technology, staff, citizens, and public-private partnerships to transform law enforcement for decades to come. Chief Berryhill created the Broken Arrow Police Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3), to assist in securing additional funds to make the RTCIC a reality.

Chief Berryhill graduated from Edmond Memorial High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern State University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 219^th Session in 2004 and of the Senior Management Institute for Police in 2008. He was appointed to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) by Governor Stitt in 2019 and later voted in as Chairman in 2021. He currently serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Victim Services Committee. Chief Berryhill serves on the Regional Advisory Council for the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. He currently serves on several boards, including the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for Oral Roberts University. He is a member of two local civic organizations, Rotary and Masonic Lodge.

The Berryhill’s have two children and two grandsons: Sierra is an Assistant District Attorney for Tulsa County; her husband Gabe is a firefighter for the city of Owasso. Their son Tad is a Tulsa Police Academy Recruit. Chief Berryhill and his wife, Sharus, of 30 years, are looking forward to the next chapter of their life.

“Local policing is more than just law enforcement. It’s preventing crimes before they happen,” said Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee. “And Chief Brandon Berryhill has taken crime prevention to new heights with his focus on outreach and education to foster strong and steadfast relationships with Broken Arrow citizens. His dedication to bringing awareness to issues such as the fentanyl epidemic, domestic violence, human trafficking, and others is a reflection of his commitment to building up BA to be a safe community for everyone. It is because of the efforts of the Broken Arrow Police Department under the leadership of Chief Berryhill that Broken Arrow is one of the safest communities in the country. Thank you for protecting and serving the citizens of BA, Chief.”  

 

“I have always said that you cannot have a thriving community without first-class public safety services, and Police Chief Brandon Berryhill has worked tirelessly to ensure Broken Arrow is a prosperous and safe city to live, work, and raise a family,” said Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon. “Under Chief Berryhill’s leadership, Broken Arrow Police Department has grown not only in the number of uniformed officers patrolling our community but also in its acceptance and use of technology as a force multiplier to keep our citizens safe. While this is a bittersweet moment for me, I am happy to have served this wonderful community with Chief Berryhill, and I wish my friend all the best in his retirement.”