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Police chief presents $298 million proposed budget; emphasizes recruitment, wellness and training initiatives
Summary
Chief Bassey presented the Oklahoma City Police Department's proposed FY26 budget, totaling about $298 million, and highlighted recruitment gains, expanded training programs, officer wellness efforts and technology investments while noting a 1.5% base-budget cut required citywide and planned position freezes.
Oklahoma City Police Chief Bassey presented the police department's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the council, describing a total proposed package of roughly $297.95 million that covers sworn and civilian personnel, capital needs and technology investments.
Chief Bassey opened by reading the department's mission statement and said the department's vision is to "ensure Oklahoma City is one of the safest cities in the country through strong community relationships, innovative strategies, and healthy, well-trained employees." He emphasized that the budget funds front-line policing, investigative capacity, laboratory services, communications and special operations.
Key operational and budget points cited by the chief included: a budgeted 1,235 positions (sworn and civilian) with about 1,140 on the roster at the time of presentation (including 82 in training or probation); a net vacancy count of about 95 positions; a freeze of 20 police officer positions to accommodate a 1.5% general-fund reduction; and deletion of one vacant polygraph examiner position. He also noted a July pension contribution increase tied to state legislation.
Chief Bassey highlighted recruitment efforts and training changes: the department moved from three smaller academies a year to two larger academies, with Class 152 starting in February (71 recruits) and a target for Class 153 in August (about 80 recruits). He outlined the department's cadet program, which enrolls younger people and provides mentorship and a recruitment pipeline; he said eight cadets have already been hired as officers.
On wellness and training, the chief described an expanded wellness program and the "49 Project," a staff health initiative prompted after three employee deaths from cardiac issues; he said more than 400 employees have used wellness services and that the department provides biometric and other preventive health screenings in partnership with OU Health. The department also funds reality-based scenario training, crisis-intervention training (CIT) and ABLE active-bystandership training for officers and recruits.
Bureau and unit highlights included laboratory services (DNA, firearms, latent prints, drug testing) that processed thousands of items, a 92% homicide solve rate (Bassey noted the department counts a case as cleared only after the district attorney accepts charges), and the Real Time Information Center (ARCTIC) that supports intelligence and event monitoring. He said ARCTIC and other special operations teams have supported large events and narcotics/firearms enforcement.
Chief Bassey and councilmembers discussed community-response alternatives for mental-health calls. The chief credited partnerships including the fire department's Mobile Integrated Health program, crisis-response teams, and use of diversion dispatchers for a 58% decrease in some mental-health call volumes between Oct. 2023 and April 2025. He said the department expects continued investment in the Real Time Information Center as the region prepares for large events.
Councilmembers thanked the chief; one councilmember noted that the DOJ consent decree findings had been retracted following city progress (the chief said the work continues). The presentation did not include a formal council vote; the budget will be considered as part of the city's overall FY26 adoption process.
