Gov. Stitt Appoints Oklahoma Highway Patrol Captain Tim Tipton as Commissioner of Public Safety
Governor Kevin Stitt today appointed Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Tim Tipton, an experienced leader and nationally-recognized expert on use of force and other training practices, as Commissioner of Public Safety.
As field commander of OHP’s Tactical Team and Emergency Response Team, Tipton has coordinated the response to numerous civil disturbances or crowd control events in recent years, including events at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas in May 2020; visits by President Obama, President Trump and President Biden; the 2018 teacher walkout protest and multiple gubernatorial inaugural events.
“I have seen Captain Tipton’s experienced and steady leadership and his commitment to keeping Oklahomans safe firsthand over the past few years and know he is the perfect choice to lead the Department of Public Safety,” said Gov. Stitt. “He is a national expert in effective law enforcement procedures and know he will lead by example and maintain the highest of standards.”
Tipton has been with the Department of Public Safety for 33 years and started his career as an Oklahoma Highway Patrol gunsmith at age 21. He has authored numerous training programs and was selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to instruct law enforcement officers across the country. Tipton has also earned an Advanced Specialist Certification from the Force Science Institute in Chicago and is a graduate of the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s Command Leadership Institute.
“This appointment is the greatest professional honor of my life,” said Tipton. “My primary areas of focus will be trooper safety and wellbeing, and customer service. I value the high standards, traditions, and history of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and it is a privilege to see the men and women of the OHP uphold these high standards of service to their fellow Oklahomans daily, even during the most trying times law enforcement has ever seen.”
Tipton and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 34 years and have raised three children who have all chosen public service as their profession. Their son, Matthew, is an Edmond Police Department officer; daughter, Megan, is an Oklahoma City firefighter; and son, Cory, is an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agent.
Tipton’s appointment will become effective Sept. 10 following the retirement of Commissioner John Scully and will require confirmation by the Oklahoma Senate during the 2022 legislative session.
QUOTES OF ENDORSEMENT:
“Captain Tipton’s proven leadership and focus on training and supporting state troopers makes him a perfect choice to lead the Department of Public Safety. I look forward to working with him to prioritize Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper retention and recruiting while upholding the standard of excellence Oklahomans deserve.” – Secretary of Public Safety Tricia Everest
“Captain Tipton has proven responsive and effective at delivering results in challenging situations. His steady temperament and results-focused approach should be a major benefit the Department of Public Safety and the citizens it exists to serve and protect.” – House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka
“I’ve worked directly with Captain Tipton and always found him to be a professional and thoughtful leader in my interactions with him. I look forward to getting to know him better and more about his vision for the Department of Public Safety as the confirmation process moves forward in the Senate.” -- Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City
