Sen. Mann requests AG’s opinion on Oklahoma Highway Patrol jurisdiction

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, has requested an attorney general’s opinion after the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) would cease law enforcement services in Oklahoma and Tulsa Counties starting this November 1, leaving local law enforcement to cover interstate highways.

Mann, whose Senate District 46 includes parts of Oklahoma City and Del City, said he was very concerned about the impact of shifting those responsibilities to local police and sheriff’s departments.

“Our local police departments are already overburdened and under-resourced,” Mann said. “Shifting the responsibility of responding to incidents and accidents on interstate highways to local agencies will only exacerbate the serious challenges they already face.”

Mann said state law says that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has primary law enforcement authority over traffic-related offenses on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. In his request for an opinion from Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Mann asked for clarification on three points:

• Based on Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes, who holds the responsibility for patrolling and responding to incidents on Oklahoma’s National System of Interstate and Defense Highways?
• If it is the responsibility of OHP, does DPS have the authority to cease that enforcement responsibility?
• If not, does Article 6, Section 8 of the Oklahoma Constitution compel the governor to require DPS to continue their enforcement responsibilities?

Mann said a response from the attorney general would provide much-needed clarity to local law enforcement agencies, as well as assisting state policymakers in addressing the legal, budgetary, and public safety implications of this change.

“This represents a major change in public safety for our two most populated counties – that’s why I asked for this opinion. I greatly appreciate Attorney General Drummond’s consideration and look forward to his response.”

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Mark Mann at 405-590-4471 or Mark.Mann@oksenate.gov