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'It's Just Kind of My Time' — TPD Chief Jordan Retiring Feb. 1

Matt Trotter
/
KWGS

Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan said in a Friday news conference his retirement announced earlier this week will be effective Feb. 1.

Jordan, who turned 72 last month and has almost 40 years of law enforcement experience, said the only reason he’s stepping down now is because it’s the right time.

"It’s not about health issues. It’s certainly not about my dissatisfaction with the mayor’s office. This mayor has been outstanding. He’s very supportive of me and my police department. I couldn’t — just so happy," Jordan said.

Jordan said the highlight of his tenure was seeing his officers respond to the 2012 Good Friday shootings, a string of racially motivated attacks that killed three and injured two in north Tulsa.

The big question now is who will replace Jordan, who was appointed chief in November 2010 by then-Mayor Dewey Bartlett after serving as interim chief for 10 months.

"I’m not worried about it, because we’ve got a lot of good candidates. There are a lot of good people within the police department that are very capable of taking my job and will do an outstanding job for our citizens," Jordan said.

Jordan’s advice for his successor is to practice transparency in all circumstances.

Mayor G.T. Bynum said in a statement Friday the process to select the next chief is underway.

"There are, of course, a lot of people we will want to consult as we go through it. We will take whatever time is needed to find the best person for the job," Bynum said.

Police chief and deputy chief positions are civil service positions generally limited to internal candidates who have held the rank of major or above for at least two years.

Jordan swore in his final graduating academy class Friday morning before an afternoon news conference about his retirement. Jordan said he hopes the 28 new officers and those on the force now keep moving forward with community policing reforms to build relationships with communities of color.

"Nothing would make me happier in my old age than to see a level of trust from our minority communities to our police department, because our officers want that. They’re trying very hard to get there, and I hope we can accomplish that," Jordan said.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.