Oklahoma Police Badge Requirements & Regulations Guide
Complete guide to CLEET certification, badge traditions, and law enforcement credentials in Oklahoma
Oklahoma law enforcement badges are governed by CLEET. All sworn officers must complete 600 hours of training. Oklahoma has 77 counties with elected sheriffs using star badges, while municipal police use shield badges. Oklahoma City Police is the largest department. Oklahoma maintains strong Western traditions with 77 counties. CLEET certification is required.
- 77 county sheriff offices
- CLEET certification required
- Minimum training: 600 hours
- Population rank: 28th
- All sheriffs use star badges; police use shields
Oklahoma Law Enforcement Overview
Oklahoma’s law enforcement structure includes 77 county sheriff offices and numerous municipal police departments. County sheriffs serve as primary law enforcement in rural areas, while municipal departments cover cities and towns. Oklahoma City Police is the largest department in the state.
Certification Requirements
CLEET establishes certification requirements for all law enforcement officers in Oklahoma. Basic training requires 600 hours including criminal code, patrol procedures, firearms qualification, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, and crisis intervention.
Oklahoma Badge Traditions
All 77 Oklahoma county sheriffs use star-shaped badges, typically 5-point or 6-point designs with county name displayed. Gold finish for sheriff; silver for deputies. Municipal police departments use shield-shaped badges following the national police tradition.
Major Oklahoma Law Enforcement Agencies
Oklahoma’s major agencies include the state police/highway patrol, Oklahoma City Police, and county sheriff offices. Each maintains distinct badge designs reflecting their jurisdiction and traditions.
- Hard enamelโwithstands climate conditions
- Quality plating (20+ mils)โprevents wear and tarnishing
- Star badges for sheriffs; shield badges for police
Frequently Asked Questions
โ How long does Oklahoma certification take?
Oklahoma requires 600 hours of basic training at a certified academy, typically 13-18 weeks depending on the program, plus field training with the hiring agency.
โ Do all Oklahoma sheriffs use star badges?
Yes. All 77 Oklahoma county sheriffs use star-shaped badges, maintaining traditional law enforcement iconography.
โ Can I transfer my certification to Oklahoma?
Oklahoma offers reciprocity for officers certified in other states, subject to approval. You’ll typically need to complete state-specific legal training.
- Oklahoma has 77 county sheriff offices
- CLEET certification (600 hours) required
- All sheriffs use star badges; police use shields
- Oklahoma City Police is the largest department
The Bottom Line
Oklahoma maintains traditional law enforcement structures with 77 county sheriffs using star badges. For more information on badge procurement, see our complete badge procurement guide.