Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley announces retirement
03/01/2024
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Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley announced his retirement today after 34 years of service. He has agreed to remain employed with the City until his position is filled.
Gourley is Oklahoma City’s 50th Chief of Police and oversees 1,235 uniformed officer positions and 413 non-sworn employees. During his time as the Chief, he led the Police Department through the COVID-19 pandemic and protests following George Floyd’s death.
“I can’t thank Chief Gourley enough for his more than three decades of leadership and service to the residents of Oklahoma City,” City Manager Craig Freeman said. “During his tenure as Chief, he guided the Police Department through a time of significant uncertainty and change. Through it all he has embodied the values of the Oklahoma City Police Department by leading with integrity and a commitment to serve all Oklahoma City residents.”
Gourley joined the Oklahoma City Police Department in 1989. He was named Deputy Chief in 2017 and was promoted to Police Chief in July 2019 by City Manager Craig Freeman.
“Working alongside the dedicated men and women of this Police Department and serving this great community for over 34 years has been an incredible honor,” Gourley said. “After my departure, I know the Police Department will continue to honor our core values by serving this City with integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and equity.”
As the Chief, Gourley led efforts to change the way OKCPD responds to mental health calls, expanded scenario-based training programs for officers, enhanced police’s use of technology, supported transparency through body-worn cameras, implemented the Real Time Information Center, revamped the entire employee Wellness program and expanded crisis intervention training for all officers.
“We will conduct an extensive nationwide search for a new police chief with leadership experience in modern policing and a passion for serving our community,” Freeman said. “I’m confident we will attract highly qualified candidates from inside and outside the organization. Choosing a Police Chief is one of the most important decisions I make as City Manager.”
The City Manager hires the Police Chief, who reports to Assistant City Manager Jason Ferbrache.
The 2023 resident survey shows that 90% of residents who had an interaction with an OKCPD officer felt they were treated fairly. 69% of residents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with police services, 23% higher than other large communities surveyed.
The Police Department’s annual report can be read here.
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Media Contacts:
Captain Valerie Littlejohn
(405) 297-1111 / (405) 316-4071
valarie.littlejohn@okc.gov
Kristy Yager
(405) 297-2550 / (405) 863-2831
kristy.yager@okc.gov
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City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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