Sen. Mann applauds AG’s opinion on Oklahoma Highway Patrol

OKLAHOMA CITY – When the Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) would cease patrolling the state’s metropolitan counties and instead leave local law enforcement to cover the interstates, Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, requested an attorney general’s opinion about whether the agency had the authority to withdraw their services. On Wednesday, Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued an opinion affirming Mann’s position.

“As I looked at the statutes, it seemed clear to me that OHP has the responsibility for patrolling Oklahoma’s national system of interstate and defense highways, and I questioned their ability to simply cease enforcement in certain areas. I also believed the governor had the responsibility to compel DPS to continue those enforcement duties,” Mann said. “I’m very gratified that the attorney general’s office agreed.”

Mann represents Senate District 46, which includes parts of Oklahoma City and Del City, and had expressed concern about the impact of shifting those responsibilities to local police and sheriffs’ departments.

“Having troopers on our most heavily traveled highways is crucial for public safety,” Mann said. “This opinion clarifies that OHP resources should continue to be available for our metropolitan areas.”

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