By Forrest Smith
Okarche Police Chief
This month, I celebrate five years as your Chief of Police. I want to extend my heartiest thank you for assisting me in making the Okarche Police Department a success. I am eternally grateful for having this opportunity to be part of such a great community.
Looking back, we have accomplished so much together. When I arrived, I hit the ground running because there were immediate issues that needed my attention. Some decisions were hard to make, but they were necessary to improve the quality of law enforcement in Okarche.
There’s a famous quote I’m reminded of – “Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves; what is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on.” Okarche insists on the best. I hope that I have provided you with that.
I have spent a lifetime helping people in different areas and positions of law enforcement. However, being your chief has been the most rewarding.
These are some of the accomplishments of which I’m most proud since taking over as chief on May 21, 2018:
Police Officers – You can’t have a great police department without great police officers. We have been blessed. Each officer brings his or her own strengths that are utilized within the community. This is an area that I take much pride in. I created a policing model that each officer learns, a model that is built around community and doing what is right.
Achieving Accreditation in 2021 – I worked diligently to ensure Okarche had the best police department in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (OLEAP) provides law enforcement agencies in the state of Oklahoma with an avenue to demonstrate that they meet commonly accepted minimum standards and best practices for efficient and effective operations. Law enforcement executives who seek accreditation/certification under this program will have every phase of their agency’s operations reviewed as they pertain to Program Standards. They will make conscious decisions about policies and procedures, will implement those policies, and must thoroughly train their employees in their use.
Schools – Implementing immediate patrols inside and around the schools became priority number one. I distinctly recall meeting with school administrators at Okarche Public Schools and Holy Trinity to establish a relationship between the school system and police. Adding a school resource officer in 2022 was the first ever for OPS.
Policy and Procedure – An audit was conducted concerning the policies and procedures that were in place in 2018. I spent months re-writing and establishing the system in place today. Officers can research policy and procedures utilizing an app on their phones, policies that are crucial to minimizing litigation and establishing operating procedures.
Offender Data Information System (OSBI Reporting) – Implementing ODIS and requiring all officers to utilize the database immediately allowed information sharing throughout the state, as well as allowing officers to complete reports expeditiously with the OSBI monitored system. That also allows data to be electronically recorded and transferred to the FBI UCR programs.
Body Cameras – Partnering with AXON to implement body cameras has proven to be one of our best investments to date. We have utilized body camera footage in numerous court cases and investigations. Axon Evidence is the heart of the system – camera footage is automatically downloaded from an officer’s camera where it cannot be manipulated.
GeoSafe (911 Computer Aided Dispatch and GPS Tracking) – GeoSafe is utilized daily to receive calls for service and map locations of incidents to allow quicker response for first responders. GeoSafe tracks officers’ locations 24/7, which is beneficial when help is needed.
Tasers – Axon Tasers were purchased to allow officers to minimize the risk of physical injury to suspects. Okarche Police Department has a certified taser instructor who trains officers throughout Oklahoma every year.
Less Lethal Shotguns – Each police unit is equipped with a less lethal shotgun and bean bag ammunition. These non-lethal rounds are designed to incapacitate, but not kill, a target. The rounds rely on the transfer of kinetic energy and blunt force trauma to accomplish this incapacitation.
Department Issued Pistols – Upon arriving in Okarche, each officer was carrying whatever firearm they desired. Implementing standard firearms allowed us to minimize ammunition purchases, improve shooting skills and minimize litigation issues by adhering to a specific policy for a department issued weapon.
Radios – Police units and handheld radios were old and deteriorated. Officer safety is a priority. Therefore, purchasing radios and completing a radio tower project were crucial. The new system is digital and analog capable so we can communicate with surrounding agencies.
Active Shooter Kits – Partnering with Spartan Armor Systems, we were able to equip each police unit with an ‘Active Shooter’ response kit, which contain quick-deploy body armor with superior level lll+ rifle rated protection, ballistic helmets, drag handles and tourniquets.
PBT – Portable Breath Test machines were purchased to assist officers in roadside DUI investigations. These devices can also be used to detect alcohol in containers.
Established School Emergency Response Procedures – Kids first always – that was our motto when we began devising a response procedure for our school systems. Yearly training with OPS and Holy Trinity staff has been a primary focus. Implementing the RAVE Panic Button reduces response time for first responders, with schools using an app to on their smartphone to instantly communicate with 911 and local law enforcement.
Nightlock Lockdown Door Devices – These were installed in each classroom at Okarche Schools. These devices allow a teacher or student to secure classrooms in seconds during an active intruder incident.
Mental Health Training – Partnering with Red Rock Behavioral Health was necessary. With the aid of their Behavioral Health iPads, officers can access professionals via Facetime at the touch of a button. This allows for ‘real time’ help and instructions from professionals. OPD implements mental health training each year.
DigiTicket – This is an eCitation solution that helps police officers generate and manage violation tickets. The platform enables us to review, verify, approve, modify and exports tickets in PDF formats for sharing and further reference. This device has decreased officers’ contacts on the roadway from 14 minutes to 7 when issuing a citation/warning.
Emergency Management – Re-establishing the town’s emergency management program was a necessity. Recently, our EM policy, protocols and services were finalized, a daunting task, but one that needed vast improvement.
Gun Range – Completing the OPD gun range in early 2023 was a great accomplishment. Firearms training should be a priority for all departments and having the ability to schedule and perform this training on your own range is a huge benefit – in the past, we had to accommodate dates that were given to us to train on surrounding ranges.
Community Policing Programs – Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues, such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. I feel we have set the standard for community policing because OPD goes above and beyond to ensure our community is taken care of.
K9 Program – Our most recent achievement is the establishment of our K9 program and the hiring of K9 Rocky. We are very excited for the benefit to our community offered by the K9 program and the safety and protection it brings our citizens. Rocky was fully funded with a USPCA grant and private donations.
