By KWGS News
Tulsa, OK – Today, City of Tulsa staff began contacting the 35 police officers who are eligible to be hired back to the Tulsa Police Department. The officers were informed of recall rights and asked to report to the TPD Academy Tuesday morning for further instructions.
Mayor Bartlett said his office was notified on Friday of federal authorization to use $3.2 million in Justice Assistance Grant funding to hire back 35 officers.
Bartlett said the goal is to put the officers back on the payroll, and on the streets, as soon as possible. Once notified, officers are allowed 15 days to respond, but can waive that time period and either accept or reject the position immediately.
If all 35 officers do not waive their right to respond in 15 days, they would return to work as a group on March 16, however, the date could be moved up to March 1 if all 35 officers waive their right to have a 15 day period to respond to the offer.
"We are hoping that all of the 35 eligible officers who want to come back to the Tulsa Police Department will have the ability to waive their rights and respond right away so that we can get them back on the streets on March 1," said Chief Chuck Jordan.
The March 1 timeframe also is contingent upon the City Council approving the budget amendment to allow the funding of all 35 officers, and required medical testing which is being scehduled this week.
According to Chief Jordan, the officers will not return to their previous assignments. The recall will allow 29 other officers to be assigned to patrol as well as six to be assigned to Investigations.