Police Chief: New full-time traffic unit to focus on vehicle stops, crashes

During a July 22 chat session, Tahlequah Police Chief Nate King updated the public call numbers and the department's new traffic unit.

Officers logged 2,852 calls for service; 783 traffic stops; eight burglaries; and 14 thefts. Officer made 60 arrests so far in July.

"Property crime is down and that's really a testament to the patrolling that those officers are doing at night especially when we're sleeping. I can't brag on them enough," King said.

Tahlequah PD now has a two-officer, full-time traffic unit that was implemented July 8.

"They've had two weeks under their belt. In that time they've made 212 traffic stops, they've issued 120 citations and that's officers Brad Baker and Ohavyah Soto," King said.

He added that the two officers will be out conducting traffic stops during the day.

"They are working each and everyday, 40 hours a week a piece, stopping cars, working accidents while they're out," he said.

The radar trailer is currently placed at North Cedar Avenue and has been there for about two weeks. King said he will be pulling that data Tuesday, July 23.

In other business, TPD held an active shooter training at Heritage Elementary School last week in which officers focused on response and preparedness.

Two officers are attending the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (C.L.E.E.T.) and TPD's newest hire, Quashon Leathers, will start his first day Tuesday, July 23. King said two more new hires will start in the next few weeks.

"We are at full staff as far as employment goes, not all of those are on the street right now but we're excited to be at full staff. We've hired a few dispatchers as well," King said.