Public Safety Oversight Ordinance

At a glance

What: New Title 16 of Tulsa Revised Ordinances establishing an Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety, a Director position, and a civilian oversight board with defined powers, duties and membership.
Status: First reading September 16; on October 14 the motion to approve failed 4-4-1.
Sponsors: Vanessa Hall-Harper, Lori Decter Wright
Public positions: Seven speakers in support; three in opposition.

Proposal

The ordinance creates a new city office with a director and civilian oversight board to review and oversee certain public safety investigations. It establishes:

Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety
Director position with qualifications, powers, duties and reporting requirements
Civilian oversight board with membership, qualifications, terms, powers, duties, meetings and reporting requirements
Provisions for review and oversight of certain Public Safety investigations
Confidentiality protections for certain information and records

Public comment

In support: Karmen Glunt, Deborah Tyler, Kristi Williams, Luke Buhlinger, Jane Sampeur, John Wilson, Nate Morris

In opposition: Sean McKenna, Heather Nash, Jana Davis

There was Council discussion.

Action

September 16: Motion by Lori Decter Wright seconded by Laura Bellis to continue to 5:00 P.M. Regular City Council meeting on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, in the Council Chamber. Vote passed 9-0 (all members present).

Sources

Log

2026-10-25 - Issue page created from minutes.
2026-11-11 - 2026-10-14 - Regular Council Meeting: ten speakers, split evenly; debate on tabling and an Oklahoma City-style alternative; motion to approve failed 4-4-1 (Archie abstained).