Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum has tapped Dennis Larsen as the city’s 41st chief of the Tulsa Police Department, taking over this summer for retiring TPD Chief Wendell Franklin.
Larsen will serve concurrently with Franklin until his retirement on July 31.
“The most important criteria for me in selecting the new chief of police were that they keep Tulsa safe and that they take care of the men and women who serve our city in the Tulsa Police Department. I believe Chief Larsen will do an excellent job in both regards,” Bynum said Friday. “His love for the Tulsa Police Department shines through in all he does.”
Larsen has been with the Tulsa Police Department for 45 years, serving as captain from 1997-2006 and major from 2005-2007 before becoming deputy chief of Police in 2007. Larsen currently serves as the deputy chief over the Investigations Bureau.
“This job has been my passion since the first day I pinned on the badge,” Chief Larsen said. “I am incredibly honored to be chosen and look forward to serving Tulsa in this new role.”
In his role over the Investigations Bureau, Larsen oversees the Detective Division, the Special Investigations Bureau and the Forensic Laboratory. Larsen is a graduate of the FBI 185th National Academy and the FBI National Executive Institute.
“Chief Larsen served around several police chiefs, implementing each chief’s initiatives and working in the background with unwavering support,” Franklin said. “He is undoubtedly committed to the policing profession and will serve the Tulsa Police Department with great enthusiasm and passion.”
Recognized by the Department of Justice as the third longest serving bomb technician in the U.S., Larsen has received multiple awards from the Tulsa Police Department, including the Life Saving Award, three Chief’s Awards, and four Departmental Commendations.
Larsen is a member in more than nine professional organizations and holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Oklahoma State University.
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