By Bailey Coyle, Fox23 News
OKLAHOMA — The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is facing a shortage of troopers, and it’s starting to take a toll on both officers and the public. Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Tim Tipton is calling for action, asking for 150 more troopers to help with the growing demands across the state.
Right now, OHP officers cover all 77 counties in Oklahoma. The state is divided into 12 different patrol areas, or “troops,” but with too few officers, many are working solo and covering multiple counties at once. This means they’re working long hours and often being called in for emergency situations at all hours of the day and night.
“We’re seeing troopers on call every night. They’re working long shifts and getting called out early in the morning,” said Tipton. “They don’t have a personal life and often end up working over their scheduled shifts with no extra pay.”
With less time to rest and recharge, it’s taking a toll on their health and safety, as well as slowing response times for people who need help.
Calls for service are increasing, and with fewer troopers, it’s becoming harder to keep up. Tipton is pushing for 150 more troopers to help spread out the workload and reduce the strain on current officers. This would also cut down on the amount of overtime troopers are working.
“We can’t keep working our officers like this,” Tipton said. “They’re working 50, 60, even 70 hours a week. They need enough coverage so they don’t burn out or get stuck on call all the time. Adding 150 more officers would take a huge load off and help us respond faster when people need us.”
The shortage is getting worse because OHP loses about 25 to 30 officers every year, with about a third of the current force eligible for retirement. That means every year, the department loses experienced officers, and it’s tough to replace them quickly enough.
Lieutenant Mark Southall explained, “Right now, we have about 760 troopers, but that number changes all the time because of retirements. With Oklahoma’s population growing, we’re struggling to keep up. Some officers are covering two or even three counties, which means longer response times and more stress on the troopers.”
Adding more officers would not only improve response times but also help reduce the strain on those who are already working long hours. Southall said, “We want to make sure our officers have a life outside of work. They need to be able to rest and reset for their next shift, not be on call every night.”
To fix the shortage, OHP is ramping up recruitment efforts, aiming to bring 150 new officers into the force over the next 18 months. They’re asking the state for $25.9 million to help fund training academies that will prepare these new recruits.
“We’re looking for hardworking individuals who are ready to serve the people of Oklahoma. It’s not about finding perfect applicants; it’s about finding people who want to make a difference,” Southall said.
The department is already seeing some success. More than 300 people have applied for the next academy, and OHP is hoping to hit its goal of 700 applicants by the March 31st deadline.
Training new troopers is expensive. It costs around $220,000 to train and equip a single trooper in their first year, which includes salary, uniforms, cars, and weapons. But Southall stresses that it’s important to invest in good training and equipment to ensure the safety of officers and the public.
If you’re interested in becoming a trooper, OHP is currently accepting applications. You can find more details about the qualifications and how to apply on the Oklahoma Highway Patrol website.
In the meantime, DPS and OHP will continue pushing for the resources they need to protect Oklahomans and support the officers who serve them.
