Tulsa Council Will Consider Police Oversight Ordinance

The city council is set to vote on a proposal to establish an Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stylized stone civic building facade, evoking municipal institutional oversight. — The Tulsa City Council will vote Wednesday on an ordinance establishing an independent office to oversee police use-of-force policies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your city establish an independent board to oversee police and public safety conduct?

The Tulsa City Council is scheduled to vote this Wednesday on an ordinance to create a new Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety. This initiative would include the formation of an 11-member Civilian Oversight Board to monitor force-related incidents and policies.

Why it matters

Local leaders are aiming to increase police transparency and address public concerns regarding the thoroughness of investigations into use-of-force incidents. The proposal seeks to enhance accountability following high-profile legal settlements and internal disciplinary issues within the department.

The proposed oversight board would monitor investigations into in-custody deaths and duty-related fatalities, though it would lack the power to independently investigate or discipline employees. The city currently faces these discussions following a $26.25 million settlement paid in November 2025.

The players

Tulsa City Council

This local government body is responsible for passing ordinances and overseeing the city's administrative and budgetary operations.

Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police

This organization acts as the representative body for Tulsa police officers and has expressed formal opposition to the oversight proposal.

William Henry Jamerson

He was the recipient of a $26.25 million legal settlement from the city in November 2025.

Terrance Crutcher

He was a local resident who was fatally shot by a Tulsa police officer in 2016.

The details

The oversight office would be granted access to investigative reports concerning deadly use-of-force incidents and cases involving serious bodily injury. However, the 11-member board would be prohibited from accessing reports that disclose the identities of public safety employees.

Terrance Crutcher was shot by a Tulsa police officer in 2016.
A former mayor announced a plan for an independent monitor office in 2019.
The council voted 7 to 2 against a previous oversight proposal in 2022.
The city approved a $26.25 million settlement for William Henry Jamerson in November 2025.
The City Council is expected to consider the new ordinance on Wednesday.

Legal Context

This proposal marks a potential departure from the 2022 Tulsa City Council vote against police oversight which previously blocked similar accountability efforts. It follows a national trend of municipalities attempting to balance public demands for transparency with labor protections for law enforcement.

Residents may see changes in how the city monitors police conduct, which aims to improve transparency regarding the use of force. The oversight board will focus on monitoring policies and incidents to ensure that public safety departments are held accountable to community standards.

The takeaway

The proposed ordinance represents an attempt to bridge the gap between community expectations for transparency and the existing internal review processes. Residents can stay informed by monitoring the upcoming council vote to understand how the new oversight board might function if approved.