Several Tulsa police officers were honored Tuesday by Chief Chuck Jordan.
"This is a really good day for the police department," Jordan said. "We're celebrating two things. One is years of service for several of our officers. Another is a promotion ceremony where we're promoting everyone from corporals through the rank of deputy chief. I don't remember us doing that for a long, long time."
Jordan and City Councilor Karen Gilbert honored 18 officers for their years of service. They represent more than four centuries of law enforcement experience overall. There were 14 officers recognized for 20 years with the department and two for 25 years.
Capt. Richard Lawson and former officer turned crime analyst Harold Adair were recognized for 40 years of service.
Six officers were recognized for promotions, which were effective Jan. 15. Among them was new Deputy Chief Jonathan Brooks.
"I'm so glad we get to fill our third deputy chief spot, and I think a very deserving candidate has gotten it," Jordan said.
Brooks takes charge of the administrative bureau. He said the achievement is the result of teamwork.
"I've always had somebody in front of me pulling me along, somebody in the community working beside me, or somebody behind me pushing me," Brooks said. "Or somebody above pulling me up, or even — sometimes, when necessary — somebody below pushing me up when I needed to be pushed up."
Brooks joined the department in 1998. He’s received 16 commendations and two life-saving awards in that time. He also oversaw the IT department briefly in 2012.
