Oklahoma Highway Patrol is shifting resources away from the Tulsa metro, here's why

Starting Nov. 1, 2025, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will reassign troopers away from interstate highways in the Tulsa area, shifting its focus to higher-need areas across the state with less law enforcement coverage, officials announced Thursday.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol will reallocate resources to areas of the state with the greatest need for patrol presence.

The agency said it is confident that law enforcement departments in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas are equipped to provide public safety on the portions of interstates running through those cities.

OHP said it will shift its resources out of Tulsa to focus on interstates and highways with high traffic volumes but fewer local law enforcement officers.

OHP said the move will allow the agency to better adapt to Oklahoma’s evolving public safety needs.

In the Tulsa metro, "OHP will entrust responsibility for all Interstates inside the incorporated city limits to Tulsa. All interstates within these boundaries are the responsibility of the respective municipalities."

This plan will continue to be refined approaching the Nov. 1 transition date, according to OHP.