The evening of April 5, 2021, the City of Bristow and Assistant Chief of Police Kendra Raney made history. On Monday evening, the Bristow City Council officially made Kendra Raney the first ever female Chief of Police of the Bristow Police Department.
Born in Sapulpa and raised in Bristow, Chief of Police Kendra Raney loves and knows the community she serves. Kendra attended Bristow Public Schools, graduating in 1992. She began her career in law enforcement with the Bristow Police Department in 1996 as a dispatcher
Looking back, Chief Raney notes her appreciation of her time in dispatch as it helped her become a better officer. Working in dispatch for three years heightened her awareness of the scenarios and situations officers face long before they arrive on scene. That awareness gave her valuable insight into the demands and expectations of the job, equipping her to better respond and mature as a patrolwoman and officer.
From 1999 to 2000, Kendra left dispatching behind and began to work as a patrolwoman, utilizing the experience she gained as dispatcher. She worked diligently and accrued experience as Patrolwoman Raney, being promoted several times throughout her career with the Bristow Police Department. In fact, Kendra has possessed many titles throughout her career in Bristow: Dispatcher, Patrolwoman, Officer, Sergeant, and Assistant Chief. Now, Bristow will finally recognize her as Chief Raney.
Becoming Chief of Police is a big accomplishment alone. For Bristow, the accomplishment proves even more special as Chief Raney is the first female to lead the department. When asked about how it makes her feel to be the first female Chief of Police, she states that while she “never really considered” the gender aspect of her job, she understands that it gives younger generations of females hope that they can achieve top positions as well. Although one of her close female friends, Shelly Garrett, is the Chief of Police in Kellyville, Chief Raney notes that only around 12% of law enforcement personnel are females. For this reason, Chief Raney’s accomplishment proves substantial within the Bristow community.
Speaking of the community, Chief Raney states that her favorite thing about Bristow is “the people.” She wants “everyone to treat each other respectfully” within the community and with members of law enforcement. In an effort to promote mutual respect and community relations, Chief Raney will maintain an opendoor policy at the police department. “Anyone from the community can come anytime to talk” with officers or her about any concerns or ideas. She even encourages community members to chitchat with officers at the station. Residents getting to know local officers, the department forging open relationships, and everyone working together form the foundation of Chief Raney’s goals for the department and community. As Chief of Police, she will encourage officers to be active in the community, get to know residents, and participate in community events.
Asked about specific departmental goals in her new role, Chief Raney stated her desire
• To continue what I have started in trying to change the culture of the department to increase professionalism.
• To raise efficiency of the department to reduce crime and better serve the citizens and the visitors of Bristow.
• To create stability and reduce turnover within the department.
• To continue to add community involvement programs.
• To work with public safety partners to increase our effectiveness for the citizens.
In addition to taking on her new role as Chief of Police and declaring her goals for the department, Chief Raney looks forward to rejoining post-pandemic life and business within the community.
From Monday, April 12, through Friday, April 16, Chief Raney will be hard at work learning more about her new position at “Chief School.” She describes her week as involving lots of classes and learning about many different topics. Chief Raney expressed excitement about the future beyond her week of learning and looks forward to resuming and building up programs such as working with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and engaging with people more in face-to-face interactions. She wants the department to connect with the community. She expressed intention to make it happen.
Chief Raney wants the community to help her and the department in forging those connections by reaching out to them directly. The community can best help the police department by calling and letting them know that something is wrong rather than posting about it on social media or sending messages through those platforms. “Don’t be afraid to stop and chitchat with us. We’re people people. We can’t help if we don’t know what’s happening.”
As for her personal commitment to the community, Chief Raney continues to live and raise her family in Bristow with her wife, Maegan Blakeman. The couple own a local gym, 10-8 Fitness. They also have a son. Chief Raney states, “I wouldn’t raise him anywhere else.” She further noted how much they enjoy tee-ball and other local events.
As Bristow officially made Kendra Raney its Chief of Police on Monday, April 5th, it gained a committed and compassionate leader, a devoted wife, and a loving mother who has accomplished much in her career and is loved by the community to which she has dedicated herself. Chief Raney now finds herself in a position never previously attained by a female: Bristow Police Department Chief of Police. If you see Chief Raney, please take a moment to congratulate her.