ADA, Okla. – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby has announced the appointment of Randy Wesley as chief of Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police.

Mr. Wesley, a Chickasaw citizen, has previously served as a Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent for over 20 years.

“We are confident in Chief Wesley’s abilities to lead the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “As an experienced peace officer, he respects the history of Lighthorse police and understands the importance of the department’s mission: to serve and protect and make sure our citizens and facilities are safe.”

Mr. Wesley will oversee Lighthorse Police Department officers, staff and operations of the department.

“As a BIA agent, I had an opportunity to work with tribes all over the country, and I have always been impressed by the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police,” Mr. Wesley said. “It is one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the state. We look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence.”

Gov. Anoatubby’s commitment to high standards and quality services to Chickasaw citizens, Mr. Wesley said, is key to the success of the police department.

“When the standards are set high, the department will run well because the people will know what is expected of them,” he said.

Mr. Wesley said he was grateful that Gov. Anoatubby had the confidence to appoint him to lead the Lighthorse Police.

“It is an honor to be appointed by Governor Anoatubby as chief of police.”

Mr. Wesley fills the chief’s position that came open when Chief Jason O’Neal took a job with the BIA Office of Justice Services.

Initially, Mr. Wesley said he hoped to increase the number of officers and enhance response times. Continuation of cross-deputization efforts throughout the state and nation, he said, were also top priorities. Cross-deputization agreements work to eliminate jurisdictional uncertainties and deliver more efficient law enforcement services.

Mr. Wesley has completed several special training schools including the Criminal Investigator Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and more than 2,000 hours of Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. 

He is a graduate of Kiowa (OK) High School.

Mr. Wesley has spent his entire career in the McAlester, Okla., area. He started his law enforcement career with the McAlester Police Department as a dispatcher in 1980 and advanced to patrolman, narcotics investigator and later detective corporal. He began his service as a BIA officer in 1992.

He is active in his church, The King’s House Church in McAlester, where he oversees various ministries.

He and his wife have four grown children and two grandchildren.

About Lighthorse Police

Lighthorse is a historic name given by the Five Civilized Tribes to their mounted police force.

Once removed to Indian Territory, the Five Civilized Tribes, including the Chickasaws, created the elite Lighthorse police.

The Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department, re-established in 2004, has grown to include 31 sworn uniformed and investigative officers, two dual-certified narcotic K-9 Units, a Dive team and a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. Lighthorse officers have been part of several cooperative law enforcement initiatives in southern Oklahoma. These include the District 22 Drug Task Force, a joint anti-methamphetamine campaign with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and a joint operation with the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Department to help curb underage drinking.

To contact the Lighthorse Police Department call (580) 436-1166 or (580) 436-7213.