Roberts’ Study Highlights Deconfliction in Officer Safety
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers gathered last week to review an interim study led by Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, titled Deconfliction: Coordination Between Agencies to Ensure Safety for Police . The study examines how law enforcement agencies coordinate operations to prevent dangerous overlaps. between law enforcement officers from different agencies who are working on a case but from different crimes. “I appreciate the opportunity to host this important discussion and bring law enforcement leaders together,” Roberts said. “When our agencies work in sync, it protects officers in the field, strengthens investigations, and ensures taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. Our goal is to keep our communities safe and support the men and women who serve them.” The interim study opened with Detective Van Keuren of the Oklahoma City Police Department, who recounted a 2024 human trafficking investigation in Mustang. Officers from different agencies unknowingly encountered each other during separate undercover operations. The incident, which could have turned deadly, was resolved without injury and led to greater coordination through the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs’ deconfliction system. “This situation shows just how quickly things can go wrong, even when everyone’s following protocol,” Van Keuren said. “We were seconds away from a tragedy simply because two agencies were operating separate investigations without realizing it. Deconfliction systems exist to prevent that, and this incident reinforced how vital it is that every law enforcement agency use the same system and report their operations accurately.” Officials highlighted the critical role of deconfliction, which coordinates operations across agencies to prevent overlap and enhance officer safety. Established in 1996 and integrated into the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) system in 1999, the system now covers thousands of officers and hundreds of agencies statewide. In 2025 alone, nearly 16,000 deconflictions were conducted in Oklahoma. “Deconfliction is more than a tool, it’s a lifeline for officer safety and investigative integrity,” said Donnie Anderson with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. “By coordinating operations, sharing intelligence and preventing overlap, it keeps officers safe and ensures that law enforcement efforts are effective across local, state and federal levels.” Keith Brown, Director of HIDTA emphasized that accountability begins with agency leadership rather than individual officers, and that proper law enforcement leadership training, paired with administrative oversight, ensures deconfliction is used effectively. “Deconfliction failures are rare, but when they happen, they can be costly and dangerous,” Brown said. “The goal is always to protect officers, preserve investigative integrity and ensure taxpayer resources are used effectively. It starts with agency leadership and then their teams following suit.” Captain Jeremy Yurton, commander of Oklahoma’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, highlighted the system’s role in coordinating investigations of internet crimes against children. OSBI triages cyber tips to local, state and federal agencies, ensuring multiple agencies do not duplicate efforts and investigations remain coordinated. “Deconfliction is an essential investigative tool for Internet Crimes Against Children,” Yurton said. “It allows officers to see if multiple tips point to the same suspect, address or device, ensuring we don’t duplicate efforts and can act efficiently to protect children.” Representatives from CLEET stressed that all agencies must comply with deconfliction procedures. While larger agencies generally follow the system, smaller agencies or those refusing to participate pose risks for operational conflicts. CLEET emphasized that accountability measures, including hearings and potential revocation of law enforcement credentials, address intentional noncompliance. “Deconfliction is a mandatory process for law enforcement in Oklahoma, and if an agency or officer intentionally refuses to follow it, there must be accountability,” a CLEET representative said. Officials confirmed that deconfliction training is already incorporated into existing law enforcement education programs, including the Sheriffs Academy, Chiefs Academy, and the two-week investigative academy. They emphasized that the training is straightforward and accessible, but strong leadership and administrative oversight remain essential to ensure consistent use of deconfliction procedures across all agencies statewide. The interim study was requested after House Bill 1862 did not advance through the committee process. The bill, which sought to strengthen coordination between law enforcement agencies during undercover operations, was requested by Oklahoma City Police Captain Kylie Turner. “I look forward to continuing this conversation during the upcoming session,” Roberts said. “There’s broad agreement that deconfliction saves lives and improves coordination. I’m committed to working with law enforcement and my colleagues to make sure Oklahoma has the tools and policies in place to keep our officers and communities safe.” HB1862 remains eligible for consideration in the upcoming 2026 Second Regular Session.