Update, Feb. 22, 2017: After meeting with OSBI commissioners, the agency’s director, Stan Florence, withdrew his resignation.

The director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is planning to resign from the post effective Feb. 28, OSBI records show.

An agenda for Tuesday’s OSBI Commission meeting shows that Stan Florence, who has led the agency since 2010, is scheduled to submit his resignation. The Commission will discuss candidates for his replacement during executive session, which is closed to the public.

Though Florence is stepping down as director, he is not leaving the bureau, according to a statement from OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown. He instead will return to his previous position as special agent in charge March 1.

The statement gave no reason for Florence’s resignation. But it cited an email he sent to employees that said “it was time for new leadership over the agency.”

OSBI declined to provide Oklahoma Watch with Florence’s resignation letter.


Support our publication

Every day we strive to produce journalism that matters — stories that strengthen accountability and transparency, provide value and resonate with readers like you.

This work is essential to a better-informed community and a healthy democracy. But it isn’t possible without your support.

Creative Commons License

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.