‘11 Minutes’: Jones Police Officer Left Alone With Combative Suspect, OCDC Fires Detention Sergeant

Eleven minutes. That’s how long a Jones Police officer fought with a suspect at the Oklahoma County Jail. The Jones Police chief said not one person came out to help. He's now demanding answers. 

“We’ve never had issues like this before,” said Chief Bryan Farrington, with the Jones Police Department. “It’s a safety issue for the officers and the inmates.”

Last Wednesday one of his officers arrived at the scene of a public intoxication call, according to Farrington. The officer took William Harrington to jail when Harrington started to get physical.  

“Mr. Harrington started throwing himself on the ground and bang his head into the concrete,” Farrington said. 

The officer needed help, but jail staff told dispatch they were too busy, according to the police report and dispatch recording Jones Police released to News 9. Farrington said dispatch called the jail four times.  

“The last time being hung up on,” Farrington said.

Jones dispatch had to call the Oklahoma City Police Department to help out.  

“Two officers came to my officer’s aid,” Farrington said. 

An OCDC spokesperson issued the following statement:

“On Wednesday evening, just before 8, we were made aware of an altercation taking place between a Jones Police Officer and an arrestee in the law enforcement parking area outside of the building and not in the sally port area as is being reported. Oklahoma City Police responded to the jail parking lot to assist the officer. Immediately after being informed of the incident, OCDC launched an internal investigation. Based on the investigation, the OCDC terminated the employment of an OCDC Detention Sergeant. The investigation is ongoing. Our commitment to the agencies we work with is of upmost importance and will not be compromised. When any employee fails to uphold our core values of professionalism, respect, accountability, integrity, service, and empowerment, action will be taken. By embracing our core values, we can and will continue to transform the Oklahoma County Detention Center into a beacon of excellence in the field of criminal justice. We will provide further information at the conclusion of our investigation. -- Brandi Garner, Oklahoma County Detention Center CEO 

Farrington thinks more must be done to ensure the safety of everyone who enters the jail’s campus gate.   

“I’ve asked what their policy and procedure is, and I have yet to get a response," Farrington said. “I believe there needs to be better policies and procedures. It only takes one time. It could’ve ended up way different.” 

Farrington added his department will investigate the incident and possibly file its own charges.