August 2026 Newsletter

Ryan Love
5 hours ago
4 min read

Jonathan Brooks announced as next Chief of Police

Mayor Monroe Nichols announced earlier this month that Jonathan Brooks was selected as the 42nd Chief of Police for the Tulsa Police Department.

Chief Brooks will serve concurrently with Chief Dennis Larsen until Larsen’s retirement on Sept. 30.

Congratulations to Chief Brooks!

Johnathan Brooks speaking at his introductory press conference

Child Crisis Detective receives Pillar of Hope award

Earlier this month, the Child Advocacy Network held the Pillar of Hope awards to honor those who help the most vulnerable population in their greatest moments of need.

Child Crisis Sgt. Cory Crosier was chosen as one of this year's awardees for his dedicated investigative work and his willingness to help anyone who needs a hand.

Child Crisis Unit including Sgt. Cory Crosier standing in the middle

Operation Clean Sweep III

This month, Chief Dennis Larsen joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma to announce the results of Operation Clean Sweep III.

Overall, the Tulsa Police Department presented 13 cases to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In partnership with several law enforcement agencies, Operation Clean Sweep III resulted in 60 cases submitted, 34 defendants indicted, and 21 victims identified.

Chief Dennis Larsen speaking at a podium

Mounted Patrol at First Friday Art Crawl

For the first time since the unit relaunched this year, all six certified Mounted Patrol Officers and their trusty steeds made a public appearance at August’s First Friday Art Crawl at Guthrie Green.

We had a great time meeting so many people who took the time to stop by, pet the horses, and even feed them some sugar cubes.

A Mounted Patrol Officer on his horse talking to passersby

Gilcrease Division

August can be an overwhelming month for us with soaring temperatures and a full calendar of back-to-school events, but Officers at the Gilcrease Division took it in stride.

They hit the ground running with a back-to-school bash on the first of the month – and they just kept going. GID attended nine BTS events this month, despite being short-handed almost every day. Officers found a way to show up for the community and took the time to wish hundreds of kids well in the new school year.

We made it through a busy month, so be sure to rest up in September before what’s shaping up to be a busy October. A big thanks to everyone who helps us make these events such a success!

Tulsa Police Officers taking a photo with a child in front of a patrol vehicle

Mingo Valley Division

August was a busy month for Mingo Valley Division, and our community engagement invites! The month was filled with National Night Out invitations, giving our Officers plenty of opportunities to connect with neighbors, families, and community partners. We also helped families celebrate the start of a new school year by participating in numerous Back-to-School bashes throughout the division.

We were excited to be invited back to Clary Sage’s Back-to-School event, Cuts for Kids, where Officers had the opportunity to spend time with students and families while helping kick off another school year. We were also thrilled to return to FC Tulsa Academy’s Blitz Bash! This HUGE event provided countless opportunities for engagement, and we know some of our littlest community members won’t soon forget getting to take on TPD Officers in a little friendly soccer match! A huge shoutout to our Mingo Valley Officers who hit the field and showed off their fancy footwork, all while running around in full gear!

After a jam-packed August, September is giving us a much-needed breather before the fall festivals, Trunk or Treats, and other fall-like events begin filling the calendar.

Be on the lookout for next month's Union PTA District Movie Night, where Officers and their four-legged partners will be ready to engage with the community before everyone rushes to the field to enjoy The Secret Life of Pets.

A Tulsa Police Officer playing soccer with a kid

Riverside Division

Riverside Division had an eventful August, filled with lots of back-to-school fun and opportunities to connect with the community!

We kicked off the month with a School Supply Giveaway at Keyport Self Storage, teaming up with Tulsa Fire to provide families with back-to-school essentials, stickers, and lots of high-fives from our officers! We also had a great time at Tulsa Dream Center West’s Back-to-School Bash, where Officers joined students and families for an afternoon of fun, connection, and getting ready for a new school year.

Fast forward to River West’s Give Back event; Officers spent lots of quality time with students as they received free haircuts, backpacks, and lunch! We also met with residents at Stonebrook HOA for a community safety meeting to discuss theft, break-ins, and ways to help keep their neighborhood safe.

We wrapped up the month at Celebration Park’s Back-to-School Bash, where we brought in the new school year with food, games, snow cones, and lots of smiles!

A huge thank-you to all our Riverside Officers who helped make August so special for the community. We’re looking forward to a fun-filled fall and hope to see you at September’s events, including Lemonade with a Cop at Cane’s!

Officer talking to a child in a Spider-Man shirt

RAPE/KIDNAPPING ARREST - Officers kick in door after screams heard from apartment

On August 8, 2026, around 9:38 p.m., Tulsa Police Officers responded to a call about a woman screaming for help inside an apartment near 51st and Darlington.

Officers arrived at the Brighton Park apartment complex and could hear screaming from inside the unit. Officers announced their presence but were met with additional screaming coming from inside.

Officers kicked in the door to the apartment and found 33-year-old Ryan Ward next to the injured victim. The victim’s face was covered in blood, and she stated she had trouble seeing. The victim had significant lacerations on her head and additional injuries throughout her body.

Paramedics took the victim to the hospital for treatment. The victim told Officers she’d just met Ward the day before and they had no prior dating relationship.

The victim said Ward raped her earlier that day, left, then forced his way back into her apartment later on. He refused to let her leave her apartment, and smashed a nearby cabinet when she tried to open the door. Ward started cutting the victim with broken glass from the cabinet, and he held her down before Officers found them.

Officers took Ward into custody as he was acting erratically and speaking in a nonsensical manner. He then began to exhibit symptoms of an overdose.

Paramedics took Ward to the hospital, where staff assessed him and admitted him.

When medically cleared, Ward will be booked into the Tulsa County Jail for: