The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is a major state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. A division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the OHP has traffic enforcement jurisdiction throughout the state. OHP was legislatively created on July 1, 1937 due to the growing problem of motor vehicle collisions, the expansion of highway systems, and the increase in criminal activities.
As the principal statewide law enforcement agency in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is tasked with providing policing, directed primarily at achieving safer roadways and reducing crime through pro-active investigations, education and patrol services, and by providing leadership and resources during natural disasters, civil disorders and critical incidents. OHP has patrol jurisdiction over all state highways and waterways in Oklahoma, regulating motor vehicles, regulating explosive devices, and providing protection for the governor of Oklahoma, the lieutenant governor of Oklahoma and members of the Oklahoma Legislature.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is under the command of Joe Williams, who is the current Chief of Patrol. Chief Williams was appointed by DPS Commissioner Tim Tipton to succeed Mays as chief.
History Operational history In 1937, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was created under Governor E. W. Marland. That same year the first 125 graduated from the Highway Patrol Academy. The new state troopers met resistance from Oklahoma motorists who were not used to living within the bounds of traffic regulations when none had ever before existed. But the troopers were prepared for this as they paved the way for all future officers by exerting good manners and service to all citizens. A total of 288,277 warnings compared with only 5,518 arrests and citations were written in the first nine months of patrol.
With over 800 troopers statewide, the division has grown into several areas of special services, including Public Information, Capitol Patrol, Marine Enforcement, Training, Bomb Squad, Motorcycle, Tactical Teams, Special Operations, Aircraft, Audits, and Fraudulent Driver License. The department revived "The Flying Squadron," a motorcycle division. A bomb squad was organized that operated state-of-the-art equipment unparalleled in Oklahoma, including two bomb trucks and robots. The east and west tactical teams continue to send their troopers through specialized training programs that elevate them to the best in the state. Special Operations, formerly Criminal Interdiction, now has troopers who each have a well-trained drug canine.
OHP automobiles are among the most traditional in their paint scheme. They are black and white, with a distinctive angular patch of white just behind the passenger compartment; the identification 'Oklahoma Highway Patrol' is contained in an outline of the state in black on the side doors. This has been the uniform scheme since the first unit of 1937. For several decades, the angular patch of white on the rear fenders has been a reflective applique for improved visibility at night.
Today the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's role as the state's primary state police force puts the patrol at the "spear tip" of Oklahoma law enforcement, serving as the state's only state police agency, with a permanent, uniformed presence in all of Oklahoma's 77 counties. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is well adapted to the demands of 21st Century law enforcement and is the only state agency with the reach, strategic flex, and mission design to proactively prevent crime, to provide specialized resources to local partners, and prevent traffic-related deaths through uniformed police enforcement duties.
Troopers are issued the Glock 47; however, can carry an approved personal weapon which includes the Glock 17 and the SIG Sauer P226.
Chiefs of the Patrol The following are the previous chiefs of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol: NumberNameTenure1stJack Hitch19372ndRalph H. Cress1937–19423rdJohn Reading1942–19434thJ. M. Thaxton1943–19475thH. B. Lowery, Jr.1947–19496thRalph Thompson1949–19507thNorman Holt1950–19518thCarl Tyler19519thW. D. "Bill" Hamilton1951–195410thJack Rollins1954–195911thLyle M. Baker1959–196712thW. E. Mayberry1967–197113thLeo White1971–197314thJerry Matheson1973–197815thJerry Horton197816thDarrell Wiemers1978–197917thJerry Biggers1980–198618thGerald T. "Jerry" Cook1986–198719thErnest "Cotton" Allen1987–199120thKenneth Vanhoy199121stLyle Gene Lockwood1991–199722ndGary D. Adams1998–200623rdJerry Cason2006–200724thVan M. Guillotte2007–201125thKerry Pettingill2011–201326thRicky G. Adams2013–201727thMichael Harrell2017–201928thBrent Sugg2019–202129thPat Mays2021–202530thJoe Williams2025–Present
Responsibilities The commissioner of public safety, chief of the highway patrol, and each state trooper are peace officers of the state. Troopers have the powers and authority vested in all other state peace officers, including the power of search and seizure (except the serving of civil process), the power to investigate and prevent crime, and the general power to enforce the criminal laws of state. Troopers may arrest any person found by them to be violating any law of the state.
In addition to their general police powers, the legislature has directed that state troopers have the following specific powers and duties:Section 2-117, Title 47, Oklahoma Statutes – Authority, Responsibility, Powers, and Duties of Officers of Department Enforcing all laws regulating the operation of motor vehicles or the use of the state's highways Enforcing all laws regulating the operation of watercraft or the use of the state's waterways Enforcing all laws regulating the transportation of hazardous materials Enforcing all criminal laws on the state's turnpikes Enforcing all criminal laws they discover through their patrol duties anywhere in the state Enforcing all laws regulating vehicle size and weight restrictions Assisting in the location of stolen property Assisting in or initiating manhunts or fugitive apprehensions Investigating and preventing motor vehicle theft Investigating and preventing drug transportation Investigating and preventing identification fraud Investigating and preventing the use of explosive devices Providing protection and security to State officials Enforcing and investigating any other law when so directed by the Governor of Oklahoma
Organization The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS), is under the command and direction of the chief of the patrol. The Chief is appointed by the DPS Commissioner and is responsible for the operations, capabilities, and plans of the patrol. The Chief is assisted in managing the patrol with the help of two deputy chiefs.
The patrol is divided into troops or sections headed by a captain. Each of these Troops has either limited geographic jurisdiction or Statewide functional jurisdiction, with some Troops having law enforcement functions while others have support functions. The thirteen field Troops are the primary field activities of the patrol and are where the bulk of the patrol's troopers are assigned. These Troops are primarily responsible for traffic enforcement and vehicle collision investigation along the state's roadways. The Turnpike Troops have the same mission as the Field Troops but have sole jurisdiction over the state's Turnpike System. The Highway Patrol also has sole jurisdiction over the capitol complex. The Specialized Troops, often called Sections, perform either a specialized law enforcement activity, such as the Marine Enforcement Section, or provide support to the various Field Troops. The various Troops and Sections are organized into eight Zones, seven of these Zones are commanded by an OHP major, and the eighth zone consists of the Communications Division, which is commanded by a non-commissioned communications Officer holding the rank of major. The two deputy chiefs have line authority over these eight majors.
Though an organized highway patrol unit, the Executive Security Section/Troop EX, which provides protection to the governor and lieutenant governor, is not under the operational command of the patrol chief. Instead, the troop answers directly to the DPS Commissioner. The patrol chief is, however, responsible for organizing this troop and ensuring its capabilities.
Upon graduation from the Highway Patrol Academy, all state troopers are assigned to one of the thirteen field troops for their initial assignment. Such initial assignment is made at the discretion of the patrol chief and is not appealable. After their initial assignment is complete, troopers may request reassignment to another field troop to special duty with any of the patrol's specialized units, such as the Marine Enforcement Section or Capital Patrol Section.
Structure
Chief of the patrol Two deputy chiefs Troop ES – Executive Security Section Troop Z - Criminal Investigations Professional Standards - Internal Affairs Wrecker Services Division Zone 1 Troop A – Oklahoma City Troop J – Enid Troop R - Capitol Patrol Section Troop S – Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section Zone 2 Troop G – Lawton Troop H – Clinton Troop I – Guymon Troop M - Altus Officer Assistance Program Zone 3 Troop SO – Oklahoma City Troop T – Training Section Command Post Operations Futures Division - Futures, Plans & Capabilities Zone 4 Troop B – Tulsa Troop K – Perry Troop MC – Oklahoma City Troop W - Marine Enforcement Zone 5 Troop C – Muskogee Troop D – McAlester Troop L - Vinita Troop Emergency Services - Emergency Response Team, Medical Service unit, Tactical Team, Crisis Negotiations, Federal Task Force, Incident Management Team Zone 6 Troop E - Durant Troop F - Ardmore Troop O - Air Support Troop BT - Bomb Squad OHP - Supply Zone 7 Troop XA/XD – Will Rogers and Cherokee Turnpikes Troop XB/XC/XE – Muskogee, Indian Nation Turnpike and Creek Turnpikes Troop YA/YB - Cimarron, Turner Troop YE – John Kilpatrick Turnpikes Troop YC – H. E. Bailey Turnpike Oklahoma Highway Safety Zone 8 - Non-Commissioned Dispatchers OHP Communications Division
Field troops The highway patrol divides Oklahoma geographically into thirteen "Field Troops", each comprising several counties. These Field Troops of the highway patrol have primary law enforcement authority on state, federal, and interstate highways, including those inside city limits.
DistrictHeadquartersCoverageTroop AOklahoma CityOklahoma, Cleveland, McClain, Canadian, Logan, Lincoln, and Pottawatomie countiesTroop BTulsaTulsa, Creek, Rogers, and Okmulgee countiesTroop CMuskogeeMuskogee, McIntosh, Sequoyah, Adair, Cherokee, Haskell, and Wagoner countiesTroop DMcAlesterLe Flore, Latimer, Seminole, Pittsburg, Hughes, and Okfuskee countiesTroop EDurantMcCurtain, Choctaw, Bryan, Marshall, Atoka, Coal, and Pushmataha countiesTroop FArdmoreGarvin, Pontotoc, Murray, Love, and Johnston countiesTroop GLawtonCaddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Stephens, and Jefferson countiesTroop HClintonRoger Mills, Beckham, Dewey, Custer, and Washita countiesTroop IGuymonCimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Ellis, and Woodward countiesTroop JEnidKingfisher, Blaine, Garfield, Major, Woods, Alfalfa, and Grant countiesTroop KPerryOsage, Pawnee, Kay, Noble, and Payne countiesTroop LVinitaNowata, Washington, Delaware, Ottawa, Craig, and Mayes countiesTroop MAltusKiowa, Jackson, Tillman, Greer, and Harmon counties
Turnpike troops