Tulsa County Sheriff Answers Questions About Alleged Misconduct

The Tulsa County DA has asked the OSBI to look into allegations of misconduct inside the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Stanley Glanz told News On 6 he welcomes an investigation.

Thursday, May 14th 2015, 6:52 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa County Sheriff Answers Questions About Alleged Misconduct

The Tulsa County District Attorney's Office has asked the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to look into the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

Allegations of misconduct have surfaced since the shooting death of Eric Harris by reserve deputy Bob Bates.

Sheriff Stanley Glanz told News On 6 he welcomes the investigation.

Special Coverage: TCSO Reserve Deputy Shooting Controversy

Glanz is confident that OSBI, like the FBI, will find no criminal wrongdoing in the shooting death of Harris. He said he welcomes a grand jury looking into his office, and he believes much of the criticism is politically motivated.

Lori Fullbright: "The criticism is out there that you checked out and let people run things and didn't know how bad things were getting. What do you say about that?"

Glanz: "Well, I think that's partially true. I trusted a lot of people and things have begun to unfold. I've discovered a lot of things. Right now, I have two internal affairs investigations going on. This week, I got a letter from the city attorney making accusations and am following up on that. If those are true, as it appears, there will be other changes at the sheriff's office."

Lori: "You've had your undersheriff resign, Tom Huckeby is out and Shannon Clark is on leave. What do you say to those who say you're throwing them under the bus but don't want to take the hit yourself?"

Sheriff: "I think I have a responsibility to the community as well as the employees to see them through this, and I'm not sure the attention we're getting. It's not always fair and unbiased. I think there are people who have agendas. I think some of my employees had agendas for when I am gone."

Glanz said he's the one who ordered the 2009 internal affairs investigation into complaints reserve deputy Bob Bates was getting special treatment by Tom Huckeby and Tim Albin. He says he disciplined them both at the time. He also said the two men who complained about Bates were promoted.

Glanz: "Randy Chapman made a complaint in May or June. He was promoted to Sergeant the first of July.

“The other one, Kitch, he was actually transferred from the reserve program to chief of detectives. I don't think by any means that's a demeaning transfer."

The sheriff said since the 2009 investigation, Bates dedicated himself to hundreds of hours of training. He denies Bates bought his badge, but said Bates saw a need and donated items to help the department.

Lori: "Is there anything you would go back and change?"

Glanz: "Probably getting better information, getting more involved in the organization and getting people to know they can come forward with problems going on."

The Sheriff also said he's frustrated that no one protesting his office has asked to meet with him.