Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon announced Lance Arnold as the new Broken Arrow police chief during his State of the City address Wednesday.

Arnold has been the police chief in Weatherford, Texas since 2017. He was also the Director of Public Safety and Assistant City Manager in Weatherford, a suburb of Fort Worth.

His move to Broken Arrow marks a return to Oklahoma for Arnold, who spent 20 years with the Norman Police Department.

“It is fitting that Broken Arrow is the city where opportunity lives, because I feel deeply honored and privileged to have the opportunity to serve this exceptional community and work alongside the most talented and dedicated professionals in Oklahoma. I cannot wait to begin contributing in ways to build upon an already thriving community and police department.” Arnold said.

Arnold becomes the 10th police chief in the history of BAPD.

“We conducted an extensive nationwide search because our citizens’ high expectation of feeling safe in our city needs to be met, and therefore, required the best person to lead Broken Arrow Police Department.” City Manager Michael Spurgeon said. “There is no doubt that Chief Arnold, with his broad experience, including two decades of wearing the badge in Oklahoma, effective communication skills, and demonstrated approach of team above self is the absolute right person to lead BAPD’s responsibilities of ensuring public safety is the top priority in Broken Arrow.”

Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee said Arnold would fit right in with BAPD’s culture.

“Chief Arnold’s record of reducing crime through professional development, innovative policing, and engaging community outreach will enhance the strong foundation set in place by the amazing men and women of the Broken Arrow Police Department. I am excited to see Chief Arnold lead the department’s law enforcement efforts to build on Broken Arrow’s strong reputation as a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.” Mayor Wimpee said.

Arnold has served on the Curriculum Review Board for the Oklahoma Council for Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) and as the Assistant State Coordinator for the Oklahoma Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. He previously led the Special Weapons and Tactics team in Norman.

Arnold has a Bachelor of Liberal Studies from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from American Military University and is pursuing his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Abilene Christian University.

He also achieved an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the Oklahoma Council for Law Enforcement Education and Training and a Master Peace Officer Proficiency Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Arnold is also a subject matter expert in Data Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety and a Certified Gallup Global Strengths Coach.

Arnold has been married to his wife, RaeAnn, for over 26 years. They have two adult sons, Logan and Ethan. Their extended family lives in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas.