Senate Bill 1176 Summary

• Changes the appointment of a chief of police from discretionary ("may appoint") to mandatory ("shall appoint") for cities and towns that establish a police department.

• The board of trustees must appoint a chief of police who enforces municipal ordinances and exercises powers and duties prescribed by law or ordinance.

• The chief of police retains authority to appoint police officers as needed, subject to board approval and confirmation.

• Updates statutory language to replace references to "town marshal" with "town chief of police" throughout Oklahoma Statutes.

• Effective date: November 1, 2014.