The Tulsa City Council is scheduled to consider and possibly vote Wednesday, Oct. 14, on whether to create an independent office to review how the city's police, fire and other public safety departments handle investigations.

The proposed Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety would cost about $500,000 a year to operate, according to the Tulsa World. Councilors Vanessa Hall-Harper and Lori Decter Wright authored the ordinance, which has been before the council and its committees since Sept. 16.

The vote is listed as item 7c on the council's agenda.

What the office would do

The office would monitor ongoing investigations and independently review completed ones for completeness, objectivity and compliance with department policies, according to the proposed ordinance. It could flag deficiencies and recommend changes to policies and training.

It would not direct, control or interfere with active investigations. Its findings would be advisory only, with no power to discipline officers or override department decisions.

The ordinance defines "public safety" broadly: law enforcement, fire, 911, emergency management, animal control, city security and code enforcement. Municipal Court and independently elected officers are excluded.

A full-time director and deputy director would staff the office.

Civilian board

The ordinance would also create an 11-member Civilian Oversight Board. Each of the nine council districts would nominate one member, and Mayor Monroe Nichols would appoint two at-large members subject to council confirmation.

No current law enforcement officers, firefighters, other public safety officials or their immediate family members could serve on the board.

The board would hold at least 10 meetings and three town halls per year, all subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. Both the office and the board would file annual reports by Sept. 30 of each year.

A decade of debate

The idea of independent public safety oversight in Tulsa dates to at least 2016, Councilor Jackie Dutton said at a Sept. 23 committee meeting, as KJRH reported. The concept has expanded over the years from police-only oversight to cover fire, animal welfare and code enforcement.

Former Mayor G.T. Bynum tried to establish a similar "Office of Independent Monitor" during his first term, but the effort stalled when Hall-Harper withdrew her support, Bynum told Public Radio Tulsa on Sept. 23. Then-Police Chief Wendell Franklin had already implemented some of the same initiatives, including independent review by the district attorney of any use of force, Bynum said.

Where councilors stand

The council deferred the vote on Sept. 23 after a lengthy committee discussion. Councilors Laura Bellis and Jackie Dutton supported the proposal. Council Chairwoman Karen Gilbert and Councilor Anthony Archie expressed reservations.

Councilor Christian Bengel said at the Sept. 23 meeting he opposed the plan. "I don't believe in Monday morning quarterbacking our public safety folks," Bengel said. "This seems overly expansive, it's too big I think for one office to handle …"

Most speakers supported the proposal. Among the supporters were Karmen Glunt and Debbie Tyler, the sister and mother of Michael Glunt, a Tulsa man killed in an officer-involved shooting earlier in 2026.

As of Sept. 23, Mayor Nichols' office said he was waiting to hear more about the proposal before deciding whether to support it. Five votes are needed to pass the ordinance.

Residents can attend the 5 p.m. Wednesday meeting at the Council Chamber, 175 E. 2nd St., or watch on the city's Granicus video page.