OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — After passing a law aimed at cold cases in Oklahoma, lawmakers are now teaming up for an interim study to create a statewide cold case board.
Last legislative session, Oklahoma lawmakers unanimously passed Senate Bill 1636, which aimed at creating a formal pathway for families still awaiting justice in cold cases.
Now, Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, are teaming up for an interim study to look at the next steps to create a statewide Cold Case and Missing and Unidentified Persons Advisory and Accountability Board.
“Behind every case is a person whose life matters, a family waiting for answers, and investigators who may be working with limited resources, aging evidence, or information spread across multiple agencies and jurisdictions. The goal of this interim study is to better understand Oklahoma’s existing system, the work already underway, and where opportunities exist to strengthen our response,” Hicks said. “We’ll examine how a statewide advisory and accountability board could help establish a more coordinated framework, identify systemic challenges, strengthen family engagement, and make recommendations for improvements in policy, funding, and oversight.
Ford, who was a former police officer, said there was nothing worse than telling someone he didn’t have an answer about what happened to their loved one.
“The legislation was just the first step in assuring that family members and others are able to request a further look into a loved one’s case,” Ford said. “In this study, we will examine next steps. The hope is that by establishing an accountability board we can ensure law enforcement has the resources and support to do all they can to see these cases are resolved and justice is served.”
The joint study will be held on Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Senate Public Safety Committee.
