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Bristow council tables vote on paying reserve officers after liability, training concerns
Summary
Council members debated whether to pay reserve officers, with Assistant Chief Kevin Webster noting training differences and the city attorney warning of liability limits; the council voted to table the item to Aug. 19 for further review.
The Bristow City Council on Aug. 5 debated whether to authorize pay for reserve officers but voted to table the matter to the Aug. 19 meeting for further study. Councilmember Judd Johns moved to postpone the item; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all present voting Aye.
The discussion centered on training and liability. Councilmember Jeff Roberts asked Assistant Chief Kevin Webster, “what is difference between a Reserve Officer and a Full time Officer?” Webster replied, “it was the amount of training.” City Attorney Bethanne Childs told the council to be cautious, noting the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG) coverage is a one-million-dollar policy and that exposure beyond that could fall on the city. Johns said he wanted more time to consider the local implications, citing a past incident involving a Tulsa reserve officer as a cautionary example.
By tabling the item, the council kept open options for possible compensation or policy changes pending additional information about training requirements, insurance exposure and how nearby jurisdictions handle reserve-pay practices. The agenda item is scheduled to return for discussion and potential action on Aug. 19, 2024.
