TCSO: Deputy shouldn't be charged because he confused his weapons (video)
- Thread starter Poke78
- Start Date
TULSA COUNTY, Oklahoma -
The community activist group 'We the People' turned over more than 8,000 signatures to the Tulsa County clerk Friday afternoon.
They want a grand jury investigation into Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz.
Even though the group got thousands more signatures than needed, it's not a done deal yet. There are still many more steps to take before it could go before a grand jury, and that could be months away.
The petition is sitting inside the Tulsa County Courthouse, and Monday it goes to the Tulsa County Election Board for the signatures to be verified.
Friday, Marq Lewis with We The People' walked out of the courtroom smiling.
"It feels good. It just shows what Tulsans can do when they can come together, no one gave us an opportunity, he said.
'We the People' gathered 8,860 signatures in 41 days. Friday, Lewis handed them all over to the Tulsa County Court Clerk.
It's the first step in launching a grand jury investigation into Stanley Glanz.
"We were the underdogs, and we are only trying to do something that is right, Lewis said.
They started gathering signatures in May after the fatal shooting of Eric Harris by Reserve Deputy Bob Bates.
Special Coverage: TCSO Reserve Deputy Shooting Controversy
Friday, court employees looked over the petition and it will soon be sent to the Tulsa County Election Board to verify at least 5,000 signatures belong to Tulsa County residents.
Then it's up to a judge to call on a grand jury.
http://www.newson6.com/story/293663...signatures-supporting-investigation-into-tcso
The community activist group 'We the People' turned over more than 8,000 signatures to the Tulsa County clerk Friday afternoon.
They want a grand jury investigation into Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz.
Even though the group got thousands more signatures than needed, it's not a done deal yet. There are still many more steps to take before it could go before a grand jury, and that could be months away.
The petition is sitting inside the Tulsa County Courthouse, and Monday it goes to the Tulsa County Election Board for the signatures to be verified.
Friday, Marq Lewis with We The People' walked out of the courtroom smiling.
"It feels good. It just shows what Tulsans can do when they can come together, no one gave us an opportunity, he said.
'We the People' gathered 8,860 signatures in 41 days. Friday, Lewis handed them all over to the Tulsa County Court Clerk.
It's the first step in launching a grand jury investigation into Stanley Glanz.
"We were the underdogs, and we are only trying to do something that is right, Lewis said.
They started gathering signatures in May after the fatal shooting of Eric Harris by Reserve Deputy Bob Bates.
Special Coverage: TCSO Reserve Deputy Shooting Controversy
Friday, court employees looked over the petition and it will soon be sent to the Tulsa County Election Board to verify at least 5,000 signatures belong to Tulsa County residents.
Then it's up to a judge to call on a grand jury.
http://www.newson6.com/story/293663...signatures-supporting-investigation-into-tcso
http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/e...cle_81d9821b-6258-5a41-8e98-febe224a2100.html
Last month, Sheriff Stanley Glanz suspended Tulsa County’s reserve deputy program.
In 2014, the program had provided 16,581 hours of free service to the county, a tremendously valuable magnifier of the sheriff’s paid corps of deputies, but the suspension was certainly warranted.
On April 2, 73-year-old Reserve Deputy Robert Bates reportedly mistook his stun gun for his pistol and fatally shot suspect Eric Harris during an undercover gun purchase. Bates has been charged with second-degree manslaughter amid spreading controversy that includes a petition for a grand jury investigation, an OSBI investigation and an external review of the department by a private firm.
The sheriff’s office says it wants to get the reserve deputy program back on its feet by September, in time for the Tulsa State Fair.
That seems possible, but several changes need to be made in the program going forward.
First, we think an age limit is needed. A 73-year-old man has a great deal to contribute to society, but that might not include carrying a gun and badge. The county might lose some valuable and experienced volunteers with a flat, mandatory retirement age, but that seems like a reasonable risk. Police work is rough, physical activity and an age limit protects the county, the citizens and the reservists.
Second, reserve deputies should be limited in the scope of their efforts. Previously, “advanced” reserve deputies have been allowed to make independent patrols, work on violent crimes or drug task forces and the SWAT team or criminal investigations. Frankly, those are not jobs for volunteers, no matter how advanced they are. We want full-time, paid deputies doing the “advanced” work. We welcome volunteers, but think they need to be restricted to more modest tasks such as traffic control.
Third, reserve deputies must be trained for any task they undertake, and the training must be fully documented. It’s embarrassing that the sheriff’s office has been unable to come up with its own records on reserve training and that an internal memo from 2009 makes is clear that some supervisors in the department might have had a cavalier attitude about making sure the reservists were ready for tasks.
Glanz said he wants to put all reserves through reality-based training, which entails scenarios involving firearms or less-lethal force as options. We would hope that reservists are never put in a position where they have to make such critical life-and-death decisions, but if the county is going to put them on the streets with guns and badges, it certainly needs to make sure they are ready for any scenario.
Finally, the sheriff’s office needs to build a wall of separation between the reserve program and sheriff’s office politics. Bates was not only a reservist and the sheriff’s fishing buddy, but also the chairman of the sheriff’s re-election campaign and a donor to the department. Intermixing the reserve program with political efforts taints the volunteers. They should be welcome on the basis of their ability, not on their connections.
A fully trained, modestly restricted reserve program can once again be a boon to the county, a force extender for the limited number of deputies in the county. But, without reform, the reserve program undercuts the credibility of the entire department.
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I think the proposals above make some points, the best being the ones on age, training, and removing politics from the program. If the reserve deputy program becomes restricted to traffic control, like one of the proposals, I can predict its demise will already be written.
Last month, Sheriff Stanley Glanz suspended Tulsa County’s reserve deputy program.
In 2014, the program had provided 16,581 hours of free service to the county, a tremendously valuable magnifier of the sheriff’s paid corps of deputies, but the suspension was certainly warranted.
On April 2, 73-year-old Reserve Deputy Robert Bates reportedly mistook his stun gun for his pistol and fatally shot suspect Eric Harris during an undercover gun purchase. Bates has been charged with second-degree manslaughter amid spreading controversy that includes a petition for a grand jury investigation, an OSBI investigation and an external review of the department by a private firm.
The sheriff’s office says it wants to get the reserve deputy program back on its feet by September, in time for the Tulsa State Fair.
That seems possible, but several changes need to be made in the program going forward.
First, we think an age limit is needed. A 73-year-old man has a great deal to contribute to society, but that might not include carrying a gun and badge. The county might lose some valuable and experienced volunteers with a flat, mandatory retirement age, but that seems like a reasonable risk. Police work is rough, physical activity and an age limit protects the county, the citizens and the reservists.
Second, reserve deputies should be limited in the scope of their efforts. Previously, “advanced” reserve deputies have been allowed to make independent patrols, work on violent crimes or drug task forces and the SWAT team or criminal investigations. Frankly, those are not jobs for volunteers, no matter how advanced they are. We want full-time, paid deputies doing the “advanced” work. We welcome volunteers, but think they need to be restricted to more modest tasks such as traffic control.
Third, reserve deputies must be trained for any task they undertake, and the training must be fully documented. It’s embarrassing that the sheriff’s office has been unable to come up with its own records on reserve training and that an internal memo from 2009 makes is clear that some supervisors in the department might have had a cavalier attitude about making sure the reservists were ready for tasks.
Glanz said he wants to put all reserves through reality-based training, which entails scenarios involving firearms or less-lethal force as options. We would hope that reservists are never put in a position where they have to make such critical life-and-death decisions, but if the county is going to put them on the streets with guns and badges, it certainly needs to make sure they are ready for any scenario.
Finally, the sheriff’s office needs to build a wall of separation between the reserve program and sheriff’s office politics. Bates was not only a reservist and the sheriff’s fishing buddy, but also the chairman of the sheriff’s re-election campaign and a donor to the department. Intermixing the reserve program with political efforts taints the volunteers. They should be welcome on the basis of their ability, not on their connections.
A fully trained, modestly restricted reserve program can once again be a boon to the county, a force extender for the limited number of deputies in the county. But, without reform, the reserve program undercuts the credibility of the entire department.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = =
I think the proposals above make some points, the best being the ones on age, training, and removing politics from the program. If the reserve deputy program becomes restricted to traffic control, like one of the proposals, I can predict its demise will already be written.
People don't realize how much those donations help their own community. I don't believe simply being a donor means you are unqualified. If they don't allow donors to be reserves, that will simply stop a lot of donations. There are certain reserve positions that will pay at OSCO. Although I never donated to a campaign, I never accepted a check from OCSO when I was there. I basically "donated" back the pay for the paid positions I worked. A sheriff is an elected position. Of course the office is going to be political. It's a different environment from a city police department. I don't think that makes it necessarily any better or worse, it's just different. The real issue is training. Either you are qualified or you aren't. The unqualified donors working are an ethics issue.
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office files to dismiss grand jury petition
9:56 AM, Jun 24, 2015
TULSA - The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has filed court documents challenging a petition seeking a grand jury investigation into Sheriff Stanley Glanz.
On Tuesday, the Election Board verified 6,647 signatures on the petition from registered Tulsa County voters, more than the 5,000 required to impanel a grand jury.
A TCSO spokesperson told 2 Works for You that in the sheriff's view, "(We the People) didn't follow the law" during the petition process.
In documents filed Wednesday with the District Court of Tulsa County, TCSO claims the petition included unauthorized and unapproved signature forms, and in doing so the petition does not meet the state's requirements.
The document says the 510 pages of signatures include forms that were not authorized by the judge. The sheriff's attorney says only court approved forms can be used for signature collection. ~
TCSO spokesman Terry Simonson released the following statement on behalf of Glanz:
Today the Sheriff has challenged the process used by the Petitioner. He believes they have not followed either the letter or intent of the laws governing grand juries in Oklahoma.
The Sheriff is neither afraid nor hesitant to appear before a properly called and legally empaneled grand jury. However, at this point, that has not occurred. Those circulating the Petition to empanel a grand jury did not follow the laws of the State of Oklahoma.
The grand jury laws in Oklahoma protect the citizens of Oklahoma from being subjected to frivolous actions.
For the legal system to work and citizen rights to be protected, Oklahoma laws on how to empanel a grand jury must be followed. It is clear in this case the law was not followed.
As would anyone who respects the law, the Sheriff is challenging the process used by the Petitioners. They have not followed the law therefore their Petition should be ruled on in accordance with state statutes.
In a statement from We the People, the group says it expected the sheriff's office to challenge the petition but maintains the necessary forms were filed.
WE THE PEOPLE OKLAHOMA has received notice of the motion to dismiss submitted by the sheriffs office. This was not a surprise and was something we expected. Those in powerful positions do not give up their power without a fight even if it is in the best interest of the people they are supposed to serve. The officials in the Tulsa County Sheriff Office are now suggesting the petition, the signatures and even Judge Nightingales decisions are invalid. However, the citizens have made their voices heard and are continuing to do so. We are confident the TCSO will continue with these tactics but we are also confident that we the people of this great state will persevere. We have followed the law in filing the necessary forms and in collecting and submitting the signatures. We all deserve better and We The People Oklahoma will work tirelessly to make sure the voices of the citizens are heard. We again thank our supporters because when the people come together anything is possible. We must hold our elected officials accountable to the people of this great state. We will continue to push to make the lives of Oklahomans better.
http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news...grand-jury-petition?google_editors_picks=true
9:56 AM, Jun 24, 2015
TULSA - The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has filed court documents challenging a petition seeking a grand jury investigation into Sheriff Stanley Glanz.
On Tuesday, the Election Board verified 6,647 signatures on the petition from registered Tulsa County voters, more than the 5,000 required to impanel a grand jury.
A TCSO spokesperson told 2 Works for You that in the sheriff's view, "(We the People) didn't follow the law" during the petition process.
In documents filed Wednesday with the District Court of Tulsa County, TCSO claims the petition included unauthorized and unapproved signature forms, and in doing so the petition does not meet the state's requirements.
The document says the 510 pages of signatures include forms that were not authorized by the judge. The sheriff's attorney says only court approved forms can be used for signature collection. ~
TCSO spokesman Terry Simonson released the following statement on behalf of Glanz:
Today the Sheriff has challenged the process used by the Petitioner. He believes they have not followed either the letter or intent of the laws governing grand juries in Oklahoma.
The Sheriff is neither afraid nor hesitant to appear before a properly called and legally empaneled grand jury. However, at this point, that has not occurred. Those circulating the Petition to empanel a grand jury did not follow the laws of the State of Oklahoma.
The grand jury laws in Oklahoma protect the citizens of Oklahoma from being subjected to frivolous actions.
For the legal system to work and citizen rights to be protected, Oklahoma laws on how to empanel a grand jury must be followed. It is clear in this case the law was not followed.
As would anyone who respects the law, the Sheriff is challenging the process used by the Petitioners. They have not followed the law therefore their Petition should be ruled on in accordance with state statutes.
In a statement from We the People, the group says it expected the sheriff's office to challenge the petition but maintains the necessary forms were filed.
WE THE PEOPLE OKLAHOMA has received notice of the motion to dismiss submitted by the sheriffs office. This was not a surprise and was something we expected. Those in powerful positions do not give up their power without a fight even if it is in the best interest of the people they are supposed to serve. The officials in the Tulsa County Sheriff Office are now suggesting the petition, the signatures and even Judge Nightingales decisions are invalid. However, the citizens have made their voices heard and are continuing to do so. We are confident the TCSO will continue with these tactics but we are also confident that we the people of this great state will persevere. We have followed the law in filing the necessary forms and in collecting and submitting the signatures. We all deserve better and We The People Oklahoma will work tirelessly to make sure the voices of the citizens are heard. We again thank our supporters because when the people come together anything is possible. We must hold our elected officials accountable to the people of this great state. We will continue to push to make the lives of Oklahomans better.
http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news...grand-jury-petition?google_editors_picks=true
Maybe it's just me, but pinning your case on hot dogs and incorrect forms doesn't exactly seem like a winning strategy? 
Typical - the system works except when it doesn't. If he wants to investigate someone no problem, citizens want to investigate him? Uhh those signatures are on the wrong size paper and we need to follow the rules.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler recuses from TCSO grand jury investigation
Jun 30, 2015
TULSA – Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler stepped down as the prosecutor in the grand jury investigation into the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday.
The announcement was made just moments after a judge denied the request to dismiss the petition asking for an investigation into the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office.
Kunzweiler said, “In keeping with my office’s duty and responsibility to protect the integrity of the investigative process it is incumbent to avoid the appearance of any conflict.”
A grand jury is set to convene in the investigation into the TCSO regarding certain documents showing that reserve deputy Robert Bates was potentially given special treatment and was not properly trained.
http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news...-jury-investigation?google_editors_picks=true
Jun 30, 2015
TULSA – Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler stepped down as the prosecutor in the grand jury investigation into the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday.
The announcement was made just moments after a judge denied the request to dismiss the petition asking for an investigation into the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office.
Kunzweiler said, “In keeping with my office’s duty and responsibility to protect the integrity of the investigative process it is incumbent to avoid the appearance of any conflict.”
A grand jury is set to convene in the investigation into the TCSO regarding certain documents showing that reserve deputy Robert Bates was potentially given special treatment and was not properly trained.
http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news...-jury-investigation?google_editors_picks=true
As much as it takes. It's not like it costs him anything.
