Assistant Chief

Steve Young has been with the Tahlequah Police Department since 1983 and became the Tahlequah Assistant Police Chief in 2021. During his tenure with the department he served in several different positions starting as a Communications Officer and Jailer from 1983 to 1988. During this time he obtained his Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System Certification through the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Shortly after, he was hired as a Patrolman for the Tahlequah Police Department. 

Young completed the Oklahoma C.L.E.E.T.  Academy in 1988 obtaining his state certification to be a Police Officer and was then promoted from Patrolman to Sergeant in 1998 and held that title until July 2014. During this time frame, the Chief of Police was elected Cherokee County Sheriff and left the department midterm. At this point Young was promoted by City Council as Interim Chief of Police from January 2005 to May 2005. In August 2014, he was promoted from Sergeant to Captain. 

During Young’s tenure he also acquired several awards exemplifying his dedication to public safety. He was awarded the Elks Lodge Police Officer of the Year in 1997, was a recipient of Oklahoma Buckledown Award in 1999, and was the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce Police Officer of the Year in 2004.