With the exodus of several members of the Fort Gibson Police Department, the citizens of my home town of Fort Gibson have the opportunity to upgrade and get a police force worth paying for and maybe, just maybe, be proud of — say for example, one that protects and serves instead of the usual dishonesty and harassment that has persevered for 35 years I know of.

My very first contact with a police officer was here in Fort Gibson at age 13. He confused me with someone else he had been running after, and after giving me a good cussing, took me downtown while calling me a liar the whole time and finally called my dad who set him straight.

I had done nothing wrong, and over the next five years I would encounter our finest being rude and hateful every time. I can recall about six occurrences before I graduated and lived elsewhere.

I wasn’t a troublemaker. I graduated at top of my class. I have never had an officer lie to my face until I moved back to Fort Gibson a few years ago. While living elsewhere I would sing Fort Gibson’s praises to any who asked, but avoid the cops, I added.

Well, folks, they got me real good this time. I’m moving and telling all to stay away from Fort Gibson. I got a DUI because we don’t require our officers to have the available training to tell the difference between a medical condition and induced impairment. The story is too long and ugly for this forum, but my family witnessed the underhanded dealings of not one or two, but all.

So I am celebrating with glee the turmoil at FGPD. I urge the citizens of Fort Gibson to demand a better service because it does exist. My own experience elsewhere proved it to me, except here in good old Fort Gibson.

Terry Walkingstick

Fort Gibson