Coyote1force

Coyote1force (talk) 18:15, 5 August 2015 (UTC) Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association "The Oldest Law Enforcement Association in Oklahoma"

The Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (OSPOA) Italic textis Oklahoma's oldest law enforcement organization. The association was founded in 1914 and incorporated in June, 1929. In 1960, the association established its official headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The OSPOA is an organization representing all branches of law enforcement; municipal, county, state, tribal and federal, with members ranging from sheriffs & police to FBI & Homeland Security.

"The OSPOA is the roots by which all others have branched"

The Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association is a 501c(3) non-profit organization made up of law enforcement and private security personnel representing all branches of law enforcement including, city, county, state, tribal, federal agencies along with private sector safety professionals.

The Association is governed by an Executive Board which appoints an Executive Director and other association staff: President, Secretary / Treasurer and Board members, which are elected at the annual conference. Monthly meetings are held and special meetings may be called by the President.

The primary purpose of the OSPOA is to promote professionalism within the law enforcement and private security professions, to provide training for Oklahoma's law enforcement and private security personnel, and to promote the highest of ethical and moral standards in the law enforcement and private security professions.

GOALS OF OSPOA

• Promote the enforcement of law and order.
• Advance the sciences of crime prevention and the detection of crime.
• Encourage cooperation and mutual assistance between law enforcement agencies.
• Promote and encourage high standards for law enforcement and honor in the profession.

OSPOA STRIVES TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS THROUGH...

• Annual training conference and law enforcement trade show.
• Training and special law enforcement training programs.
• Activities of various association committees.
• Publication of The Oklahoma Peace Officer Magazine.
• Support of legislation to aid the law enforcement community.
• Annual scholarship program.
• Annual awards program to recognize those in law enforcement who have lost their lives in the performance of their duty and others in law enforcement who have distinguished themselves in the performance of their duty.
• Peace Officers' Memorial program.

OSPOA's contribution to LAW ENFORCEMENT?

Mandatory Training: In 1960, the OSPOA played a very important role in the enactment of legislation requiring training of all law enforcement officers and creating what is now known as the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training or CLEET. By continually striving to provide better law enforcement for the citizens of Oklahoma, today a law enforcement officer is required to complete 420 hours of CLEET Certified Training to become an officer and must receive an additional 16 hours of training and 1 hour of CLEET certified training on mental health each year to retain his/her law enforcement certification.

Firearms Training Programs: In 1963, the OSPOA sponsored the First Annual State Pistol Match during its 49th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City. The OSPOA Board of Directors realized the need for firearms training of officers throughout the state and felt that “pistol match competition” just might create the incentive needed for departments to build practice ranges for the officers. The idea quickly caught on and firearms’ training is now a part of their required training mandated by state law. Today, every law enforcement officer in the State of Oklahoma has access to a firearms range somewhere within a short distance.

Four Year Terms of Office: In 1973, the term of office for elected county officials was increased from two to four years. The OSPOA was instrumental in the introduction and passage of such legislation because it was felt that four-year terms of office would increase the efficiency of county law enforcement.

Peace Officers Memorial: Since 1969, the OSPOA and the Fraternal Order of Police have honored the fallen officers who have paid the supreme sacrifice while protecting the citizens of Oklahoma. Located at the Department of Public Safety Headquarters, 3600 North Martin Luther King Avenue in Oklahoma City, monuments bearing the names of officers killed in the line of duty, both prior to and since statehood, are standing. A Memorial Service is held on or about May 15 of each year at this site.

Police Chaplain Program: In 1985,at the 71st Annual OSPOA Training Conference, the Oklahoma Association of Police Chaplains was organized.. Today the program has over 115 police chaplains throughout the state of Oklahoma, providing counseling services to law enforcement officers and families.. Law enforcement officers have found this a worthwhile program to be very rewarding.