Tulsa Officers Work Overtime Because Of Presidential Campaign Visits

High-profile visits like those from presidential candidates are costly to a city.

Republican hopeful Donald Trump brought Secret Service with him for security, but local law enforcement also was called upon to assist them.

It’s up to the the city and taxpayers to cover those expenses for any candidate’s visit.

There were dozens of police officers helping with traffic control on Wednesday as Trump and Sarah Palin held a rally at Oral Roberts University’s Mabee Center.

Before Donald Trump even got out of his plane, Secret Service and Tulsa police officers were standing by at the Tulsa International Airport.

He walked down the stairs and was greeted by Gov. Mary Fallin, then he was whisked away in a motorcade to the Mabee Center.

Tulsa police officers led the way.

"The Tulsa Police Department just does what they can to support the Secret Service in the capacity of what they need," Jeanne McKenzie said.

1/20/2016 Related Story: Trump, Palin Land In Tulsa Ahead Of ORU Rally

Secret Service officials can't release the number of officers they requested.

However, a spokesperson did say getting help from local law enforcement is standard protocol, when high profile presidential candidates are campaigning.

Officer Jeanne McKenzie says to help cut back on the cost, they try to shuffle officers around.

"We have officers that assist on duty and off duty,” McKenzie said. “We try to get as many on duty people as possible, but it's not always possible.”

It's usually a very long day for officers, who were out hours before Trump and arrived and remained hours after.

"It's not an 8 to 5 time frame on these types of events,” McKenzie said. “It's whenever you are needed until you aren't needed anymore."

Most of the time it leads to overtime, paid for by the city, which could range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands.

Now that Trump has left town, the city will tally up how much the security detail cost.

We have put a request into the city to get the dollar amount when it becomes available.

1/20/2016 Related Story: Donald Trump, Sarah Palin Rally Supporters In Tulsa