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- calendar_today November 7, 2026
Leadership Instability and Chronic Issues Plague the Beggs Police Department
The Beggs Police Department has experienced significant internal upheaval and ongoing challenges over recent years. Since 2025, the department has cycled through five police chiefs in just 16 months, with each leader confronting longstanding issues ranging from unsolved burglaries and outdated technology to equipment shortages and alleged evidence mishandling.
Unsolved Burglaries and Mishandled Evidence Emerge
Former Chief John Palacio reported discovering a troubling backlog of unsolved burglaries shortly after joining as assistant chief. "They never investigated burglaries," Palacio stated, referencing data that showed only 25 burglary cases reported over three years, despite 60 incidents being known internally. From 2020 to 2024, the department filed 35 burglary reports, with a mere 12 arrests, and just two suspects ultimately charged. Palacio also alleged the recovery of missing federally-issued M16 rifles, for which no records existed, along with a blood sample from a death investigation stored improperly in a department refrigerator for 30 days. Oklahoma law requires immediate submission of such evidence to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, but city officials lacked logs or records regarding its handling.
Resource Shortages and Failing Technology Impact Operations
Budget constraints and outdated communications compromised policing capacity. Officers reportedly had to purchase their own uniforms and, in Palacio’s case, even his service weapon. The department’s radio system, which could only reach local dispatchers but not the county sheriff’s office, left officers isolated during emergencies. Mayor Roger Merrill acknowledged resource limitations as a persistent challenge, echoing widespread difficulties seen in many rural police departments.
Resignations and the Revolving Door of Leadership
Around the end of July, Interim Chief Daniel Gilbert, Assistant Chief Bobby Tollette, and part-time officer Bobby Sappington resigned after disputes over departmental leadership and claims of procedural inconsistencies. Their resignation letters cited a loose chain of command, lack of disciplinary clarity, and workplace hostility allegedly promoted by Officer Cody Burton, who was accused of bypassing reporting structures and receiving preferential treatment. City leaders subsequently brought in a third-party investigator to address these internal conflicts.
Attorney General’s Office Temporarily Intervenes
With officer resignations leaving Beggs unpoliced, Representative Scott Fetgatter requested the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office step in. Through an interlocal agreement, AG agents provided municipal police services, but their tenure lasted only a month. No documented transition plan was created before the agents’ departure, and Beggs was again left without police presence for 48 days while officials debated the next steps. The city council considered, but had not finalized, an interlocal cooperation agreement to contract law enforcement services through the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office.
Appointment of New Chief Amid Continued Tensions
Tristan Hall, formerly assistant chief of the Cherokee Police Department, was appointed as chief during a special council meeting, ending an extended vacancy. The process was marred by a physical altercation at City Hall involving council member Rick Roberts and local publisher Ron Durbin, resulting in charges against council member Justin Jones after a dispute over filming equipment.
Beggs city officials and administrators acknowledged the deep-seated nature of the department’s problems, citing decades of neglected reforms. As city leaders attempt to move forward, the struggle for stability and effective law enforcement in Beggs continues.
Source: oklahomawatch.org.
