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October 16, 2012

Former police chief hired to lead state association

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Former Norman Police Chief Phil Cotten has been named executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police.

Cotten began his law enforcement career at the University of Oklahoma police department in August 1971, moving to Norman PD in 1973. He advanced through the ranks until he was appointed chief in April 1996, where he remained until his retirement in May 2011.

Cotten was the longest-serving Norman chief. After retirement, Cotten was the interim chief of police in Lindsay for six months.

Cotten said he was honored to be selected by his peers to lead the organization of about 350 members. He said he looks upon this as a great opportunity to give back to the profession for which he has been blessed to serve for more than 40 years.

Cotten’s training and education includes a Bachelor of Business Administration from OU, graduation from the 165th session of the FBI National Academy, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development program and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations Program.

He has completed more than 3,000 hours of police training. Cotten has been active in IACP, OACP, the Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association and many others. Cotten has been involved in Norman civic and community organizations throughout his career.

Cotten’s goal is to foster positive relationships between the association and all agencies — small and large, federal, state, tribal and county — for the betterment of law enforcement in Oklahoma. The OACP Mission is to “promote excellence in law enforcement through professional development, ethical standards, technical support, and communications.”

“On behalf of your board, I congratulate Director Cotten on his appointment. We are indeed fortunate to have a person of Phil Cotten’s abilities and integrity at the helm of the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police,” said Norman McNickle, president of the OACP board of directors.

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