Oklahoma lawmakers look at consolidating law enforcement

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma lawmakers are looking for ways to make state law enforcement agencies more efficient by consolidating services and resources to better control costs.

Republican Representative Mike Christian of Oklahoma City, a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, plans to lead a legislative study later this month. The effort will explore cost-efficient ways for state law enforcement agencies to share materials, equipment and other assets.

Christian says sharing law enforcement tools like aircraft, tactical vehicles and training sites, consolidating communications services and improving the flow of information among state law enforcement agencies are all ideas lawmakers may consider.

Legislative budget writers faced a $611 budget hole last year and imposed budget cuts on many state agencies and public services. Christian says state lawmakers will likely be faced with a similar budget hole next year.