MWCPD History

In 1942, W. P. "Bill" Atkinson bought large amounts of land in the area due to the chance of an U.S. Army Air Corps air field being constructed nearby. The air field was originally named Midwest Air Depot.

Midwest City was incorporated in March 1943. During that year, J.B. Beaird was appointed as the first town Marshall and used his personal vehicle as a police cruiser at a reimbursement rate of $15 per month. He was followed by other town marshals.

A council/city manager charter was adopted by the citizens in 1948 and Oscar Yoder became the City’s first appointed Chief of Police. The adjacent air field was later renamed "Tinker Air Force Base" to honor the first American general killed in World War II, who was an Oklahoma native.

Midwest City became the model post-World War II city in the country. In 1950, an additional motorcycle policeman was added to the police force. 

By 1953, the size of the police force had grown to nine officers. As the City continued expanding, sixteen additional police officers were added in 1957. Under Police Chief Carl Tyler, who was appointed in 1960, Midwest City police officers began receiving basic law enforcement training from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. There were 4 Dodge scout cars at the time.

Today, the Midwest City Police Department is comprised of 102 uniformed police officers and 23 civilian personnel. Police Officers receive their basic law enforcement certification through the Council of Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET). Following certification, probationary police officers must pass a 12 week Field Training program in which they perform patrol duties under the close supervision of a Field Training Officer. All officers undergo annual continuing education and re-certification training.