Norman Hires New Officers for Community Policing

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Norman is one of the fastest-growing cities in Oklahoma, but the size of its police force hasn't kept up which has forced the city to change their policing philosophy.

In Military Park, there is an effort to rid the neighborhood of problems, where neighbors claim there is a lot of crime here.

Norman police respond to all kinds of calls at all times of day and Norman Police Chief Phil Cotten wants a different approach.

"The central ingredient for us is for the officers to have the time to be proactive in this, rather than just simply going form call to call to call," Cotton said.

Norman is going back to Community-Oriented Policing to solve local problems.

Lt. David Teuscher said the department plans to get out in the community, aiding whatever neighborhood or businesses who seek help finding solutions to their area's problems.

On a typical day, David Teuscher visits a business district and chats with owners.

Norman initially dropped the Community-Oriented Policing because it ran out of money for new officers, but now the program is back in full swing.

It's possible because Norman voters last year approved a half-cent increase in the city sales tax for the hiring of forty-one new officers, which kicked in October 1.

A new class of officers is nearing graduation, and they'll be schooled in community policing techniques.

"I think it's a good idea," said Keith Allen of Brother's Eatery and Pub. "I've been in favor of that from the very beginning."

The newest class of Norman police officers will graduate on June 19th.