Tulsa FOP Endorses Taylor

For Immediate Release

Taylor responds to unanimous endorsement by Fraternal Order of Police

Police join firefighters for endorsement of Taylor and plan for public safety

(Tulsa, Okla.) – The Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) announced the results of a vote Wednesday evening to formally endorse Kathy Taylor for mayor instead of Mayor Dewey Bartlett. With a unanimous vote, the police join the firefighters by supporting Taylor for mayor.

“The FOP believes new leadership is needed to address crime and safety issues facing the city. We need a mayor who will make reducing crime a No. 1 priority all of the time and not simply when it generates press,” said FOP spokesperson Jessica Caswell. “We need a mayor who will stay focused on safety and support law enforcement officers. The FOP clearly sends a statement with its unanimous endorsement of Kathy Taylor for mayor.”

The FOP also cited Taylor’s experience with and expertise on budgetary problems, public safety and community-based efforts.

“The FOP studied both of the candidates’ crime-prevention plans and unanimously determined mine is the right choice to keep our families safe,” Taylor said. “I’m proud to have the endorsements, support and trust of all of Tulsa’s first responders – the firefighters and the police. My plan is to put more police in our neighborhoods, use smart technology to keep us safer and finally crack down on violent crime. As mayor I put more police on the streets than ever before – or since. And I’ll do it again.”

This week Taylor released her plan to cut crime, “Working for a Safer Tulsa.” Her plan spells out three primary focuses: 1) strengthen the Tulsa Police Department and the 911 Call Center; 2) help law enforcement by leveraging 21st Century Smart Technology for proactive data for crime assessment; and 3) launch a community-focused approach to reducing crime.

“Kathy Taylor has proven she will never play political games with our police department.

When she was mayor, we knew City Hall had our backs,” said Joe Perkins a 32-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department and the current chair of the FOP National Board of Trustees. “She will put more officers on the street and give police the tools we need to create a safer Tulsa.”

“I’ve worked with both candidates during their administrations and the key difference is that Kathy Taylor actually listens and gives the Tulsa Police Department a seat at the table to be a part of the discussions,” said Ron Bartmier, a 35-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department and the current president of the Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police.

“This election is about listening to Tulsans and this endorsement reinforces what I’ve been hearing in neighborhood meetings all across the city. Citizens do not feel safe in our city – and our officers are not given the resources, respect and support they need from this administration,” said Taylor. “The endorsement further emphasizes that our first-responder heroes know better than anyone we need new leadership in City Hall to make our city safe again.”

The police endorsement mirrors the views of the majority of Tulsans, she said. “The last election proved some two-thirds of Tulsans want a different mayor. They want a hands-on leader who is focused on getting back to the basics, reducing crime, improving education and growing jobs.”

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