§ 47-11-1402. Enforcement of laws – Costs – Authority of other entities.

A.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, enforcement of both traffic laws and the general laws of the State of Oklahoma on the turnpikes shall be the exclusive authority of the Department of Public Safety, and the cost thereof shall be borne by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.  Provided that the Authority shall be liable only for such costs as may be agreed to by it under contract or agreement with the Commissioner of Public Safety.

B.  Upon a written request by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Department of Public Safety, upon the approval of the Commissioner of Public Safety, may enter into a written agreement with the Department of Wildlife Conservation permitting the Department of Wildlife Conservation to perform on the turnpikes of this state those law enforcement duties specified in the agreement.  The request by the Department of Wildlife Conservation must be acted upon by the Commissioner within sixty (60) days of receiving such request.  The costs of performing those law enforcement duties shall be the responsibility of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and no costs shall be the responsibility of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority or the Department of Public Safety.

C.  On the turnpikes, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall have the authority to investigate and enforce all laws relating to any crime listed as an exception to the definition of “nonviolent offense” as set forth in Section 571 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 392, § 11-1402, eff. Sept. 1, 1961.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 461, § 14, eff. July 1, 2003; Laws 2004, c. 418, § 17, eff. July 1, 2004; Laws 2008, c. 365, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2008.