Police Chief Tom Holland reflects on life, career & BPD

July 3, 2018

Longtime Bartlesville police chief retires after 50-year career

By Kelli Williams
City of Bartlesville
Photo by Jay Hastings

After a nearly 50-year career in law enforcement, Bartlesville Police Chief Tom Holland has announced he will retire effective July 6. Holland has been chief of the Bartlesville Police Department since 2007, having served in the position previously from 1990 to 1993. He sat down with City Beat recently to discuss his distinguished career and plans for the future.

Early life

Tell us a little about your early life — where you grew up and went to school, your family, etc.

My Dad and Mom moved to Bartlesville in 1947. He went to work at Phillips Petroleum Company, which was the start of a 36-year career. When they arrived, my Mom was complaining about stomach problems and a visit to the doctor revealed she was pregnant with me. This was somewhat earth shattering, considering my sister was 17 years old and would soon be married. In fact I became an uncle at age 2.

I was born on Jan. 5, 1948, at the Washington County Memorial Hospital in downtown Bartlesville. I was delivered by Dr. Denyer, who was our family’s lifelong friend. We lived on the eastside, on Queenstown Avenue, north of Tuxedo. We called our area Tuxedo as it was an unincorporated village complete with a school and grocery store. If people asked us where we lived we didn’t say Bartlesville. We said Tuxedo.

Where did you go to college? What did you study?

I attended the University of Texas at Arlington. My high school grades were not the best and I was admitted to college in Texas because my uncle was a longtime and much respected mathematics professor there. I received a degree in 1970 in political science with minors in history and criminal justice. I also attended graduate school there.

Did you always know you wanted to work in law enforcement, or did your interest develop later — and if so, how, and what other career paths did you pursue?

For as long as I can remember I wanted to go into law enforcement. I can remember in the mid-’50s a Saturday afternoon show. It was a quiet neighborhood in the autumn of the year. Men were out raking leaves and washing cars. Some people pulled up to go into their house when suddenly these men all started running for them. The narrator said these men were all FBI Agents and their neighbors were being arrested as spies for the Soviet Union. I thought that was the coolest thing and it stayed with me.

Career

Tell us about your career, where you’ve worked and the positions you’ve held.

I started in law enforcement on Oct. 15, 1971, in Texas. I was a criminal investigator for the State of Texas and worked there three years. I was then hired by the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, which was headquartered in Ft. Worth, Texas. I worked there for nearly five years serving in several areas. I was on what we informally called the Major Case Squad, which essentially involved crimes for which we were seeking the death penalty. Several of those cases involved the murder of police officers and I knew some of them.

In 1978 I received a letter from the director of the FBI informing me that I had been appointed a Special Agent. Following 15 weeks of training at Quantico, Va., I was assigned to the Oklahoma Division. I worked in Oklahoma City for six months and was then transferred to Tulsa Resident Agency. I was responsible for investigating federal crimes in five counties in northern Oklahoma. Because of the energy crisis I was encouraged to live in my area of responsibility — Bartlesville, Oklahoma. I was sent to my hometown though I had been gone for 20 years.

You have been chief of police in Bartlesville twice. Tell us about your first stint in the position and a little about your career with Phillips.

I was appointed as the Bartlesville police chief in February 1990 by then City Manager Bob Metzinger. I replaced the retiring Charles Spencer. I came in to a very good Department with some very good captains serving as division commanders. I thought I would be at BPD for the next 30 years but was offered the position of manager of Corporate Security Worldwide with Phillips Petroleum Company. After much reflection I accepted that position. I sat in my office on my last day, June 30, 1993, until about 8 p.m. weeping over my departure.

How did your decision to return to the job in 2007 come about? What challenges did you face at the time?

I received a telephone call from the City Manager’s Executive Administrative Assistant Elaine Banes telling me that City Manager Ed Gordon wanted to meet with me. We set a date and time. My wife asked me what it was about and I had no clue. I had known Ed a little while at the Police Department and knew him better in Christian circles. When I walked in he asked if I would pray about returning as Bartlesville police chief. I told him it wasn’t necessary. I had been praying about that as a possibility for years.

When I was sworn in as the police chief for the second time, I found a demoralized Department for a variety of reasons. With the city manager’s approval I began a lengthy process of working to improve morale and right the ship that I found floundering. I also went out into the community to repair some damage that had been done with individuals and organizations. I contacted all of the law enforcement agencies in our area and pledged the support of BPD in our collective efforts to protect and defend our citizens. I communicated with the district attorney’s office and the judges in the 11th Judicial District. I visited with local media, both print and electronic. I made myself available to various civic organizations to speak to them about the environment we were in as to law enforcement.

But the very first thing I did was to meet with the officers and employees of BPD and started each meeting with welcoming them to the new Bartlesville Police Department.

In what ways has law enforcement changed since you began your career?

By far the biggest change is the age of the newly hired officers. The Department has either gotten young or I have gotten old or the two came together at this particular time. I believe the youngest officer I have hired to date was born in 1996. But the new hires are eager to learn and are doing a great job for us.

I should also mention what a great asset the Bartlesville Police Reserves have been both times I served as police chief. They are tireless in what they do for the community and they do it for free. Some of the Reserves work over a thousand hours for the Bartlesville Police Department annually. One of the greatest things they do is Shop With-A-Cop where they provide Christmas to underprivileged children many of whom would not have Christmas otherwise. We also have a great Police Explorer Program that assist our Reserves in fulfilling certain law enforcement duties. We could use more people in both the Reserves and Explorers.

How has the Bartlesville Police Department changed since 2007?

I see a greater bonding among officers and a spirit of comradery. This is reflected in many ways, but one of the more graphic is the willingness to back each other on calls. This is vitally important for the safety of our officers and citizens.

Bartlesville police enjoy an immense amount of support from the community, which can’t be said for some other communities — especially for large cities. What do you think sets us apart, and how can the department ensure continued good relations with the public in the future?

I have interfaced with law enforcement across America and even in foreign countries. No community I have ever been in is more supportive of our efforts than the citizens of Bartlesville. I think part of this is the area of the country where we live. I like to say we are on the buckle of the Bible belt. My generation grew up respecting our country, the flag, those in authority over us, our parents and families and so it goes. Another thing that sets us apart is our transparency. We are human and we make mistakes. But we also take responsibility for those mistakes.

What has been your greatest accomplishment(s) as chief?

First, people need to understand that any accomplishments I have had is a team effort. I have great police officers and civilian employees walking with me in our mission to protect and serve. But I hope that one such accomplishment has been the development of our people.

Do you have any regrets or things you wish you had done differently?

I leave here with no regrets other than I wish I was 21 years old and this was my first day in law enforcement. But like any person I am sure there are things I would do over if I could roll back the clock. I’ll have to try and come up with some specifics as I sit on my porch in the winter of my life and reflect back on my days here.

What has been the best thing about being chief of police or working for the City of Bartlesville?

Being around police officers, employees and our great citizens every day. Helping citizens through the maze of law enforcement is one of my greatest joys. Police chiefs are in a position to help people when everyone else has been unable to help. I love helping people if I can.

What has been the worst — or most challenging — thing about being Bartlesville police chief?

My worst memory in law enforcement was the death of a Texas Ranger I worked with daily in 1978 at the hands of a drug dealer. The drug dealer got life in prison without parole but was released in 2006. Bobby is still dead so he got the life (or death) sentence.

I don’t have what I would call worst memories as police chief. I have on occasion had to terminate an officer or employee — that can be gut wrenching. Whether right or wrong I have always operated under the philosophy that if I have to terminate someone I share in the failure to not have been able to somehow resurrect them.

Probably the biggest challenges I faced for several years were dealing with tough budget years. City Manager Ed Gordon and Chief Financial Officer Mike Bailey did what they could, but every year there is only so much money to be allocated. We take what we get and then make it work. That, too, was a tremendous team effort. But to their great credit, neither Ed nor Mike ever made us operate unsafely.

What challenges do you feel the department faces going into the future?

I am sure there will be challenges arise that we do not currently foresee. But making the budget work for all City departments will continue to be at the forefront.

What would you like to see the department accomplish in the future?

I would like to continue and even increase our School Resource Officer program. Protecting our young people is a priority. I would like to do more in the area of community policing. We need to be tuned into grants and awards that we can utilize. This has been working quite well with the help of City Grants Administrator Nancy Warring. She has really been able to help us, and I hope the City will continue with that program.

How has being chief of the Bartlesville Police Department changed or affected you? What have you gained from your relationships with the public, your officers and the people you work with every day?

It has changed and affected me in every way imaginable. I breathe law enforcement. I wake up nearly every morning for an hour or two around 1 a.m. My thoughts and prayers immediately turned to my officers and dispatchers who are at that moment working to keep our community safe. That won’t change in retirement. I also will cherish the relationships I have with the officers, employees and public for the rest of my life. They are friends, indeed.

Personal life

How did you meet your wife? Tell us about her.

I was working as a criminal investigator with an agency in Texas and my wife was one of the secretaries. We met there. The first time we met I was filing paperwork to obtain an arrest warrant on a bad guy. As she typed the paperwork I started leaning over her shoulder to proof read what she was typing. She stopped and told me I was invading her space and go have a seat in front of her. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but I did obey. I’ve been obeying ever since.

How many children and grandchildren do you have?

We have two boys. They are now grown and have given us four granddaughters. Neither my wife nor I had a lot of experience with girls. She had two brothers. I had three nephews. I had four uncles on my Dad’s side and two on my Moms. Then these little girls started coming into our lives. They own me. Whatever they want I seem to provide. I wouldn’t have minded a grandson but these girls are really special.

Matter of faith

It is no secret that your faith and association with the church play a significant role in your life. Would you mind sharing a little about that with us?

I met Jesus Christ when I was a 30-year-old FBI agent in Oklahoma City. My life has never been the same. Shortly after that, I was transferred to Bartlesville and we joined Highland Park Baptist Church. I served as Deacon, Chairman and Vice Chairman of Deacons there for many years. I am now one of the Elders of the Church, and when the pastor is out, I preach. I have been teaching an adult Sunday School class for nearly 38 years. I also teach a men’s class on Monday night from September to May. We call it FAT Boys, but don’t jump to conclusions. It stands for Faithful-Available-Teachable. I love the Bible as God’s Word and teach it when I can. I plan on doing this in retirement at an even greater pace.

I have served on the Board of Directors of Voice of the Martyrs for 18 years. They minister to the persecuted church throughout the world. There are many places on this earth where Christians face persecution, arrest and even execution. We try and provide whatever is necessary to them and their families during the hard times. I have been privileged to do Christian work on six of the seven continents.

How has your faith helped you to be a better leader?

By knowing that whatever I am doing there is a standard in God’s word that should be met. Also knowing that whatever I am doing, whether good or bad I will one day give an account to the Lord.

Will you continue to be involved in the church following your retirement? How?

Even more so. I hope to be taking some mission trips overseas soon. I would like to distribute more Bibles to people who have never had one. I want to teach more.

Civilian life

What does the future hold for Tom Holland?

I don’t know what the future holds for me just yet. But I do know the one who holds the future in His hands. We’ll see what develops.

Will you continue working in law enforcement in any way?

I have had some agencies contact me about that but nothing has materialized. I am 70, and that needs to be considered. I also like to teach and may teach some law enforcement classes around the state. I told one chief I will work for food.

Do you have any plans that you can share?

I am going to take the rest of the year off and do projects on my farm that my wife has clearly outlined. After that we’ll see.

What do you think you’ll miss most about being chief?

The people, and especially the opportunity to help people. This includes officers, employees, citizens, friends and enemies. I love helping people.

Where can people find you after July 6?

I’ll be around. Come to Highland Park Baptist Church on Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night and see me.