Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to fund 2018 OHP Academy

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Turnpike Association will pay $5 million to help pay for the 2018 Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy.

Leaders from the OTA, Department of Public Safety, OHP and state lawmakers made the announcement May 25. Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall said the agreement was "historic".

"A great example of state government working together and coming together in a time of need to handle and move forward with things that need to take place in regards to public safety," McCall said.

DPS Commissioner Mike Thompson said the funding will allow the OHP to hopefully graduate 30 troopers by 2018.

"We have a tremendous partnership with the OTA," Thompson said. "The Highway Patrol is the only law enforcement agency in the state that reaches out to all 77 counties."

OTA Director Tim Gatz said there is no better investment his agency could make.

"We have assisted with academies in the past. If we do not have the academy, it will undoubtedly impact the trooper presence we have on turnpikes," Gatz said.

Thompson also stated that his agency believes if a current budget bill, SB 860, in the Senate is passed and signed by the governor they will be able to lift mile restrictions currently planned for troopers.

The 2018 OHP Academy is slated to begin in early 2018.