Sheriffs & DAs Compared to Shoplifters, Threaten Fight Against Reform!
Evidence Heard of "Stealing" Civil Rights & Children from Oklahomans
Is your Sheriff willing to stand between you and a corrupt District Attorney?
Is your District Attorney willing to stand between you and a corrupt Sheriff?
The Sheriffs Association [OSA] and District Attorney’s Council [DAC] have drawn a line in the sand… a stark blue line. They are ONE. They will stand corruptly together when faced with even the slightest opposition. Telling law makers, If you want to check our power we will FIGHT!
Lawmakers invited the OSA and DAC to an interim study being conducted at the Capitol last week. Both groups declined to participate in reform discussions, and instead told lawmakers to “expect a fight” on any future reform legislation.
What did law makers find during the study? Simply what Oklahomans have known for decades. Sheriffs and District Attorneys consistently abuse their power!
Them’s Fightin’ Words…
News coverage of last week’s study included:
“Dozens of people have come forward saying multiple Sheriffs and District Attorneys have bullied them, some saying they have even had their children unjustly taken” - Sarah Whaley FOX23 News
and
[lawmakers explained] “Lets say all of the DAs and Sheriffs throughout the state are shoppers at a Walmart, many of them are buying their groceries and going home, and doing the right thing, but, there are some who are shoplifting and nothing’s being done about it, except what’s being shoplifted isn’t groceries, it’s civil rights and peoples children” - Rick Maranon FOX23 News
Like all Oklahomans, lawmakers simply desire that Sheriffs and District Attorneys stop ABUSING their power.
In response, the OSA & DAC have made it clear that they will “fight” in order to continue violating rights at their whim.
YES, that is correct, they will “fight” [via lobbying] in order to continue their corrupt practices and abuses of power. A substantial political threat, given that the Oklahoma State Fraternal Order of Police is very politicly active, and their endorsement is often sought after by Oklahoma politicians. One such an endorsement was extended, and embraced during his campaign, by our own Attorney General, who is responsible for District Attorney and Sheriff accountability.
This is an entirely telling statement that shows neither group of elected “law enforcers” are interested in upholding their oaths to either the US Constitution or Oklahoma Constitution, in stark contradiction to their political ads and rhetoric.
It is now obvious, Sheriffs & DAs [as a political group] are solely vested in retaining unchecked power at the expense of the very people they are charged have sworn to “protect & serve”. They have let the mask slip, exposing their true motivation… Power and Control.
Where are our so-called “Constitutional Sheriffs”?
Surely a “Constitutional” Sheriff, with his classic campaign promise of protecting the Constitution, is willing to simply sit down and discuss how that goal can be achieved.
If they are not at the study representing those who elected them, then where are they?
The answer:
Likely buying front row tickets to the absurd ramblings of Richard Mack, partaking in road piracy to fund the OSA & DAC political coffers, or simply discussing how to dispose of [murdered] journalists [Yes, he’s still Sheriff].
The Lawmakers...
Two Conservative law makers spoke out about the abuses of power experienced by Oklahomans at the hands of Sheriffs and District Attorneys.
Oklahoma Senator Dana Prieto [(R) Tulsa] and Oklahoma State Representative Justin Humphrey [(R) Lane] both spoke out publicly to FOX23 News about the study, testimonies heard, and what they wish to accomplish.
Representative J.J. Humphrey made two clear callings upon ALL Oklahomans:
“Demand transparency” and “Demand answers”
In an effort to “fix” the system, Senator Prieto talked of potentially implementing an anonymous reporting software where people can submit evidence to a commission created by state law makers to investigate potential abuses.
An independent oversight Commission is warranted, if they are given the power to remove bad actors permanently. However…
The Tool for Transparency Exists…
The #Bradylist [Potential Impeachment Disclosure Database] not only exists, but is already “implemented” and is publicly available to everyone with a smart phone.
The evidentiary platform is already utilized through out the United States by individuals and organizations for the very purpose the Senator described and is the platform of record.
Currently, Oklahomans can file anonymous complaints on officers/Sheriffs and Prosecutors and upload evidence. Prosecutor complaints are automatically forwarded to the Oklahoma Bar Association via email [what they do with those complaints is up to them].
To ensure security of evidence, only basic information and the complaint narrative of public complaints are public facing on the platform1. All evidence uploaded for inclusion in a public complaint is kept on secure servers and only accessible by authorities.
Once entered into the platform, Oklahomans can simply email the link(s) of their complaint(s) to their respective lawmakers, or any official/investigator with an email address, who can access the evidence via their user account.
Why Prosecutors Should LOVE the #Bradylist
As the DAC is [or should be] well aware, ALL prosecutors have a Constitutional OBLIGATION to disclose potential impeachment evidence to defense in every criminal case they try. The Brady Progeny and related case law has made it clear for decades that the disclosure of potential impeachment evidence is mandatory. Prosecutors who choose to do the right thing and disclose such evidence, are sometimes burdened by the time involved in gathering such evidence in order to disclose. With the #Bradylist, disclosure will become as easy as drafting an email.
The only reason for a prosecutor to resist this technology, designed to make their job easier and more efficient, is if they intentionally desire to withhold evidence in contradiction to the law and ORPC 3.8 [Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor].
The #Bradylist platform is the first of its kind to serve the judiciary as a method to ensure delivery of Brady Material Disclosures, thereby helping to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials.
Law Enforcement’s Duty to Disclose
Sheriffs and ALL Law Enforcement have a duty to inform the District Attorney/prosecutor of any and all complaints of misconduct and internal affairs investigations pertaining to any individual employed in the department that may predictably be called to offer testimony in criminal cases.
One can’t help but wonder why any law enforcement agency would refuse to utilize technology that would make the process more efficient, and demonstrate accountability, resulting in gaining of public trust.
The answer is likely that the agency desires to continue “policing” themselves, a failed process, insulated from scrutiny, and obscuring misconduct from discovery.
Wouldn’t every respectable department want to rid their ranks of the “few bad apples” they claim are responsible for known misconduct?
Many reputable law enforcement officers actually welcome the ability.
Sheriffs Fail to “Police” Themselves
There is a well known phrase taught to many law enforcement trainees in Oklahoma…
“If it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen!”
Although it is often taught in the context of making sure reports are accurately constructed, it is also repeated by officers and officials in the context of “covering up” misconduct.
Sheriffs in opposition of reform are simply scared. They fear that they will lose their “discretion” and be unable to continue their good ol’ boy system that has lead to a destructive blue line culture and rampant corruption of Sheriffs.
Sheriffs fear they will no longer be able to victim blame and spin the narrative. They will no longer be able to play publicist in defense of their rouge Deputies who shoot unarmed people, commit rape, or beat a teenager unconscious.
An old southern movie has an eloquent way of describing the character of these rouge deputies and their leadership:
“You’re like the thief who isn’t the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly sorry he’s going to jail.” - Rhett Butler, Gone with The Wind 1939
Some Oklahoma Sheriffs are only sorry when they get caught, and others aren’t even sorry then, feeling entitled to their “notebook of people to kill”.
A Message to the DAC & the OSA…
Reform is NOT a Request
Reform is here, whether you like it or not. You do not get to continue your corruption under the shield of “discretion”. The people DEMAND transparency, and you work for us!
Cooperate and You Won’t Get Hurt
The premise is simple. Do your job within the boundaries of the Constitution. Obey your oath and obligations to disclose. Cooperate. Do those simple things, and your positions are secure. If you choose not to, you will be publicly exposed for the fraud you perpetuate.
Stop Resisting
Stop pushing back against what you cannot control. You will not defeat the people’s requirement for reform. It is here. It will function with [or without] government sanction. It can be done with you… or to you.
I went to the sheriff department to report what happened at the courthouse, because I was left without protection and afraid... they wouldn't take my report. Said I'd have to talk to the judge and they new I already did. There was no hearing for an EPO... it was just dismissed and made a past issue... because a paper for the online docket disappeared between the police chief and the court clerk's hands. Guess who pays..... the victims. I am under threat of losing custody of kids for reporting... and for what the ADA did as a response to some of my reporting. And I'm told I need to make more reports. But what would happen to my family? Prieto and Humphrey are not exaggerating how terrible and dangerous the issue is.
I think the solution to all these abuses of power is to create a new law that makes it a felony to LIE while serving as a public official. We the people need a signed Oath that is part of the Constitutional Oath. A felony with a guilty conviction requires a minimum of 10 days locked up in a government jail cell with all the other convicted felons. Fines & lawsuits are no good. Taxpayers pay those. That good cop, bad cop, lying crap needs to go. How can we expect the culture to be truthful if our government officers can lie?