The City Of Vinita Vote To Change The Chief Of Police Elected Position To An Appointed One

Residents of the City of Vinita will vote on a proposed ordinance to change the title of the chief of police from an elected position to an appointed one in the upcoming election in June. 

The Mayor said this has come to a vote twice and both times it wasn't approved, but said past votes called for the appointment of several positions in the city, not solely the police chief.

Two council members voted against the proposed ordinance and expressed their concern for taking the vote away from the people. Now, one young woman is asking voters, ahead of the election in June, to not be narrow-minded but rather, take a chance.

Sarah Young stood before the Vinita City Council this week to speak her truth in a call for change.

"We are the evidence," said Young.

It was fall of 2020. Sarah was 17 when she said someone she knew raped her.

She said she reported it to Vinita Police, had a sexual assault exam, and did everything by the book.

"It was just like, ok wake up, go to work, do your school. Make it to tomorrow," said Young.

News on 6 previously covered this in November, when Sarah's mom told News on 6 that her daughter's SANE kit sat in the evidence room at the Vinita Police Department for 377 days before eventually being sent to and received by OSBI in mid-November of 2021.

"Why was I important enough to be sent off to the investigators? Why wasn't I important," said Young?

Agencies must submit the kit to a lab within 20 days of receiving it and provide a tracking number if the victim files a report with law enforcement as required by state law.

"The public has a right to know that the mishandling of my case is a direct result of untrained, unexperienced officers," said Young.

Mayor Chuck Hoskin said the City Council reviewed a proposed ordinance on Tuesday, first passed out of a Public Safety Committee meeting in November.

Sarah's dad, Councilman Young, is on that committee.

The ordinance calls on Vinita residents to vote to make the police chief an appointed position instead of an elected position.

"The council and city can confirm that future police chiefs have the proper credentials, experience, skills, education, and traits to perform their duties," said Young.

The council voted six to two in favor of the ordinance appearing on the ballot during the primary election in June.

"This is not an action for or against any police chief. It doesn't provide for removal of the chief or automatic appointment," said Mayor Chuck Hoskin.

Sarah said she's still waiting for answers.

"I'll never be who I was before," said Young.

However, Young said in time, she's found her voice and unbelievable strength.

"You realize you do have a purpose here," said Young.

Mayor Hoskin said this doesn't impact current chief and if passed wouldn't go into effect until after his four year term ends in April of 2023.

The next chief would be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council for any length of time.

We reached out to Chief Babcock for comment and haven't heard back.

It is a News On 6 standard that we not reveal the identities of sexual assault victims. However, Ms. Young, made the choice to show her name and face for this story.

Previous Story: https://www.newson6.com/story/619591479bdee272bdf64908/vinita-family-wants-answers-about-daughters-sexual-assault-case