© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bartlett Announces Interim Chief

Mayor Bartlett
KWGS News Photo
Mayor Bartlett

By Hear Announcement:

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-881713.mp3

Tulsa, OK – Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced today he has accepted the resignation of Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer and appointed Charles W. "Chuck" Jordan, former Tulsa County Deputy Sheriff and former Tulsa Police officer, as the interim police chief.

"I greatly appreciate Chief Palmer's service to the City of Tulsa and admire his commitment to the department," Bartlett said. "This has been one of the most difficult periods in the city's financial history."

"Public safety is the top priority for the City of Tulsa. Be assured that Interim Chief Jordan has the knowledge and the skills in Tulsa law enforcement to hit the ground running. As a former
Deputy Sheriff and former Tulsa police sergeant, Chief Jordan understands the dynamics of law enforcement in the Tulsa area. He is already familiar with our city's police officers, and they know him," Bartlett said. "I am confident he can lead the command staff to focus our officers' efforts and the activities of the department in the areas where they are needed most. As we continue to reduce expenses and reorganize our departments, I will be relying on Chief Jordan to recommend and execute the necessary changes and improvements to sustain excellence in customer service and provide the public safety services that Tulsans expect."

Palmer was a mayoral appointment in the Taylor Administration. Former Mayor Kathy Taylor appointed Palmer as chief in August, 2007.

Jordan has served in the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office since December 1, 2005. His areas of responsibility included court operations, court holding and transportation, safety and training, tactical block instruction at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office Academy, criminal investigations, patrol corporal and sergeant positions as well as sergeant and captain of the SWAT division.

Jordan served for the United National Missions in Kosovo from September 2003 to September 2005 where he was responsible for the operational command and administration of 1,200 police officers, 850 Kosovo police service officers and 350 International Police Officers from 46 nations in the Prizren Region.

Jordan served with the Tulsa Police Department from 1969 to 2001. From 1977 to 2001, Jordan conducted training and instruction for the Tulsa Police Department Training Academy and Regional Field Training Officers Instruction. From 1993 to 2001 he supervised Street Crimes units targeting drug and serial offenders. From 1991 to 1993, Jordan designed, formed and commanded the Tacital Response Square, an anti-robbery unit comprised of 50 officers from all operational divisions.

Jordan holds a Criminal Justice Administration degree and has extensive specialized training in law enforcement, investigations and tactical response. He has been honored with several awards from the Tulsa Police Department and is an United Nations Service Medal.