Oklahoma Department of Public Safety seeks $25.8 million to expand Highway Patrol training and staffing
Budget request centers on academy capacity, first-year costs for new troopers
The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) is requesting $25.8 million in new funding as part of its budget planning to expand training and hiring for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), citing staffing levels that agency leaders say fall short of statewide coverage needs.
The request was presented during Oklahoma House budget hearings on Jan. 12, 2026, when DPS Commissioner Tim Tipton told lawmakers the agency is seeking resources it considers necessary to maintain adequate patrol coverage as retirements and other attrition reduce staffing.
What the $25.8 million is intended to pay for
DPS has described the $25.8 million request as funding that would cover first-year salaries, equipment and training for new cadets. The agency’s plan includes running two additional academy classes with 72 cadets each and targeting graduation of at least 50 troopers per class.
While academy class sizes and graduation outcomes can vary, DPS has framed the proposal as a staffing stabilization effort built around increasing the number of trained troopers entering the field over a defined cycle.
Current staffing levels and DPS coverage targets
During the hearings, Tipton said DPS estimates it would need between 1,200 and 1,300 troopers to provide continuous 24/7 coverage across Oklahoma’s 77 counties. DPS has also reported the Oklahoma Highway Patrol currently employs more than 760 troopers.
In testimony, Tipton described persistent workload pressures tied to limited staffing, including situations where troopers may patrol large multi-county areas without a partner. DPS has linked those conditions to safety risks, operational strain and workforce wellness concerns.
How staffing levels intersect with statewide policing demands
DPS has argued that additional troopers would improve response capacity and reduce reliance on overtime, particularly in rural and high-need areas. In its budget-related materials, the agency has described the funding request as a way to “restore operational balance,” with goals that include more consistent shift coverage and broader officer availability.
The proposal also comes amid broader operational decisions by DPS leadership in recent months focused on how OHP resources are deployed statewide, including efforts to ensure consistent interstate and rural coverage during overnight hours.
Key figures at a glance
Requested funding: $25.8 million
Planned additional academies: 2 classes
Targeted cadets per class: 72
Expected graduates per class: at least 50
DPS-stated staffing need for 24/7 statewide coverage: 1,200–1,300 troopers
Reported current OHP staffing: more than 760 troopers
“I’m here asking for what I need… This is me asking simply what we need to be able to do our job.”
The funding request will be weighed alongside other state priorities as Oklahoma legislators and state budget officials shape appropriations decisions for the next fiscal year.