Oklahoma Senator Rob Standridge is looking for the right language to put in a bill protecting the budgets of police departments. He contends local governments should not be able to “ignore the will of their citizens” when considering a cut to law enforcement budgets.
“We’re still working on the language, but basically, if the citizens voted to increase police personnel or additional funding, their local government couldn’t just come back in later and slash that budget,” Standridge said. “The issue would have to go back to the voters to decide if they wanted those reductions or not.”
Under his proposed law, local governments would not receive state aid or grants if they cut law enforcement budgets.
“I’m very concerned about what’s happening, not just around the country, but here in Oklahoma,” Standridge said. “If a local government decides to do that, then I think there should be consequences. That’s what I want to address with my legislation.”
Standridge represents Norman which is in turmoil over the cut to a proposed increase in the Norman Police budget. It has sparked a recall effort which was unsuccessful to unseat the mayor, but did manage to challenge a council member.
Standridge plans to introduce his bill for the next legislative session.
