Family, friends, colleagues gather for retirement of Chief Dennis Larsen

Chief Dennis Larsen officially retired from the Tulsa Police Department on Thursday.

Larsen announced his retirement a few weeks ago after 47 years of service. Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols later announced Jonathan Brooks as the city's next Chief of Police.

Chief Larsen’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of this department and the city he grew up in. Before stepping up to lead as Chief, he served in numerous critical roles throughout his career, from patrol to Deputy Chief over Investigations.

Throughout his tenure, his commitment to making Tulsa the safest city possible has never wavered.

He began his remarkable career in 1979 when he joined the force. Over the decades, he gained extensive experience in bomb intervention tactics and completed FBI training. In 1995, he served as one of the first officers to respond to the tragic Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City, dedicating 101 days of service to the site as a member of the bomb squad.

His steadfast leadership culminated in 2024, when Mayor G.T. Bynum appointed him the 41st Chief of Police. In this command role, he focused on reducing violent crime, expanding the Real Time Information Center, and prioritizing community intervention for at-risk youth.

Now, stepping down to focus on his next great adventure, Chief Larsen plans to spend well-earned time with his wife, grandchildren, and family. As he noted when announcing his retirement, it has been the honor of his life to serve as Chief.

The impact he has had on this department is set in stone, and we are a better agency because of the years he spent wearing this badge.