Tulsa’s Police Chief says the word from the FBI is that no more officers are expected to be indicted.This after a total of six officers, two of them retired and federal agent face federal charge involving alleged corruption.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford explains a dramatic policy change is expected to happen within the department.
The chief is staying tight lipped on what policies will be changed.
What Interim Police Chief Chuck Jordan is stressing is while there is a handful of officers under indictment there are more than 700 officers on the street Tulsans can trust.
"The vast, vast majority of my officers are honest, they have the highest integrity and they are dedicated to their community. We have spent a lot of time and resources within our department assisting in this investigation. If we have a problem we want it cleaned up,” says Jordan.
Allegations six Tulsa Police officers and an Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent stole meth, crack cocaine, pot and money from drug dealers and forced witnesses to lie are among the 79 charges these officers face.
At the center is Gang Officer Jeff Henderson who has pleaded not guilty to 58 counts.
"These indictments are not convictions these officers are going through due process," says Jordan.
The Chief says officers within the department and supervisors in the Special Investigations Division (SID), where some of the indicted officers were assigned have assisted in this federal investigation.
"We have had some indicators that we have had some officer misconduct and we have had some thefts and lying in court documents those issues are going to be addressed within our department," says Jordan.
The Chief can’t yet say what changes are in place only that the procedures for those who supervise officers are under review.
"We are going to spend a lot of time on what caused this to make sure we don't let it happen again," says Jordan.
On Facebook one FOX23 fan writes, “Sorry I just have no respect for the officers who abuse their badge. They take oaths to protect the people and uphold the law; not abuse it."
Another fan says Tulsans shouldn’t lose faith in the TPD, "All departments, agencies, corporations will have their "bad apples". Nobody should base the performance of the whole based on the actions of a few."
The Chief says all of his troops hold a high integrity and dedication to protecting and serving Tulsa.
"All of the men and women are standing shoulder to shoulder with us the staff with us and saying we are not like that and we are not going to tolerate that," says Jordan.
The Chief says he will officially announce a policy change on Friday afternoon.
It’s the chief’s call to decide if the officers get paid or not while on leave. The Chief says these officers have not been convicted and have pleaded not guilty.
TPD’s Internal Affairs Captain says there are different due process rules between federal and state cases.
Since this is a federal case he says the officers are allowed to be paid while on leave, however, as more information is released their status can change.
Wells has not been given the opportunity to plea.
The remaining officers with the exception of Gray and McFadden have pleaded not guilty.
Henderson and Yelton have been arrested and jailed and are scheduled to be in federal court on Friday.
