Robert J. Hicks
A law-enforcement career spanning more than 38 years, three cities and one state agency, has brought about a strong commitment in Oklahoma to professionalism and enhanced agency cooperation in all sectors of the criminal justice system.
In 1963, as a rookie patrolman on the Oklahoma City Police Department and throughout his career as a Police Chief, Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and head of a corporate investigative service, Robert Hicks has been a catalyst for professionalism and cooperation in law enforcement.
Bob, as most of his friends know him, progressed through the ranks of the Oklahoma City Police Department, retiring with the rank of Captain. Subsequently, he accepted positions as Chief of Police in El Reno and then Chickasha before being asked to serve as Director of the OSBI. During his more than five years at the helm of this prestigious state agency, he instilled a culture of service and added numerous programs that vastly improved the operations of city, town, and other law enforcement agencies.
Initiatives or programs completed during his tenure at the OSBI include the implementation of the Automated Fingerprint Information System, the publication of the monthly, "Oklahoma Law Enforcement Operations Bulletin" and enhancement of the OSBI laboratory system, to identify just three. Each has significantly advanced the ability of city and town police departments to provide services.
Bob has been an active leader in almost every field or specialty of law enforcement, from organized crime to traffic patrol. However, perhaps even more significant is Bob's impact on improving and redefining all law enforcement in Oklahoma. He has accomplished this through the high standard he imposes in his own life; as an ardent, forceful, champion for adequate resources to support professional law enforcement; and, by inspiring others to achieve the highest standards of professionalism.