Ali Gaffar Okkan: Remembering the legendary police chief

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press

DIYARBAKIR, TÜRKİYE — Ali Gaffar Okkan, the iconic Police Chief of Diyarbakır known affectionately as "Gaffar Baba," is being commemorated across Türkiye on the anniversary of the 2001 assassination that claimed his life and those of five colleagues.

A 1973 graduate of the Police Academy, Okkan was appointed to Diyarbakır in 1997 during a period of intense militant activity. Unlike traditional security officials, he prioritized a sociological transformation, famously announcing over the police radio: "I will burn anyone who mistreats the people of Diyarbakır!" His tenure was defined by breaking down the bureaucratic and physical barriers between the state and the public, effectively opening the city's barricaded streets to civilians and fostering a unique bond of trust that persists decades after his death.

A Revolutionary Approach to Social Policing

Okkan’s impact was felt through his radical social projects. He was the first to deploy female police officers to the streets of Diyarbakır to manage traffic and assist the elderly and disabled. Under his command, the police force moved beyond a mere enforcement role; officers were tasked with returning runaway children to their families and escorting elderly citizens at the airport. By patrolling the streets late into the night and visiting local shopkeepers in plain clothes, Okkan successfully shifted the public perception of the police from a source of fear to a source of compassion and support.

Counter-Terrorism and the Hizbullah Struggle

In the professional sphere, Okkan was a formidable force against illegal organizations, specifically targeting the extremist group Kurdish Hizbullah. He played a pivotal role in major operations, including the 2000 raid that led to the death of the group's leader, Hüseyin Velioğlu. Despite receiving numerous death threats, he refused to use an armored vehicle, famously asking, "If I ride in an armored car, what will the citizens do?" His fearlessness made him a primary target for those seeking to destabilize the region's newfound peace.

The 2001 Assassination and Legacy

On the evening of January 24, 2001, Okkan was ambushed by gunmen on Sezai Karakoç Boulevard while traveling to an event. The attackers, reportedly wearing police-branded vests, fired 469 rounds from 16 different weapons, killing Okkan and five officers. While the crime is widely attributed to Hizbullah, it remains a subject of intense debate regarding potential involvement from deep-state actors. Following his death, over a hundred children in Diyarbakır were named "Ali Gaffar" in his honor, and his life continues to inspire books, films, and television series, cementing his status as a legendary figure in Turkish history.

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