Stitt replaces Public Safety commissioner
A shake-up is underway at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the state agency that runs the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and handles the issuance, revocation and reinstatement of driver' s licenses.
Out are Rusty Rhoades, the DPS commissioner, and Col. Michael Harrell, the chief of the Highway Patrol.
Taking over as commissioner is John Scully, the director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.
Gov. Kevin Stitt made the change after months of turmoil at t he Department of Public Safety and repeated delays in coming into compliance with the federal REAL ID law.
“John S cully is an experienced public safety professional with a reputation for building robust teams and leading with strength and honor ,” the governor said Monday in a news release. “Scully comes at a critical time as the agency is in the midst of growing its workforce and strengthening front-line services that keep our highways and communities safe. The men and women of DPS have established a legacy of serving Oklahomans with pride and excellence, and I am confident Scully will build upon this tradition and culture.”
S cully ,58, ran the state narcotics bureau for three years after working for the
the Oklahoma City Police Department for more than 32 years. He was a deputy chief for the police department his last eight years there.
His reputation is that of an honest, tough and effective leader.
“He's a good manager,” said former Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty. “I think it's a good fit. Glad to see it.”
Attorney General Mike Hunter called Scully “a faithful friend and partner in our work together to keep Oklahomans safe.”
“He will make us all proud,” Hunter added.
Scully told The Oklahoman on Monday he was honored by the governor's confidence in him and looks forward to being a part of a great organization.
“It's a much bigger agency than I'm at now,” he said. “I know that there will be a lot of moving parts and a lot more employees and a l ot more responsibility but I'm ready for the challenge.”
The governor's appointment of Scully requires confirmation by the state Senate.
Rhoades held the agency's top spot less than two years. Both he and Harrell retired abruptly Monday afternoon.
The departure comes just 17 days after a former patrol captain filed a civil rights lawsuit against them in Oklahoma City federal court.
The former captain, Troy German, claims Rhoades falsely accused him of blackmail to discredit his effort to expose a cheating scandal. He alleges Rhoades, Harrell and a patrol captain, Brian Orr, presented fabricated evidence to prosecutors that resulted in a criminal case against him.
German alleges the chief — at the commissioner's direction — gave Orr ahead of time the specific questions that would be asked by a promotional board.
The criminal case against German was dropped in June after Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater was subpoenaed to testify as a defense witness and af t er German agreed to retire.
Prater was expected to testify that Rhoades had wanted a charge filed even though no investigation had been done yet. Prater also was expected to testify that Rhoades in their December meeting — when asked — could not articulate what exactly German was threatening to expose and what he specifically was supposed to do to prevent it.
In law enforcement circles and inside the highway patrol, serious questions arose about Rhoades' accusations because he didn't make them until long after he met with the captain at a Charleston's Restaurant and at a Starbucks in September.
Rhoades told investigators in December that German had threatened to expose wrongdoing in the promotional process unless he was made major or got support in his bid for a political appointment.
Rhoades only came forward in November after learning German had spoken with the chief of staff of the Senate president pro tempore, according to an internal investigative report. He told investigators he had promised to help German because he “decided it was the best way to keep German from spreading lies that ultimately would be embarrassing and sound horrible to the public.”
German denied making any blackmail demands. He claims he met with Rhoades, at the urging of the former director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, to give the commissioner “the opportunity to correct the wrongdoings.”
Because of the controversy, the attorney general in February called for policy changes in the promotions process at the Oklahoma Highway Patrol “to avoid any appearance of impropriety.”
Also leaving the Department of Public Safety is Megan Simpson, assistant commissioner, The Oklahoman has learned.