OKC officials rethinking police roles in mental health crisis calls By: Whitney Bryen Oklahoma Watch May 6, 2021
Master Sgt. Lori Osborn, an Oklahoma City police officer assigned to Assisted Outpatient Treatment, gets in her car outside of police headquarters in May 2020. Osborn provides transportation and support to clients in the AOT program, which helps people who have been discharged from the hospital following mental health treatment access outpatient programs, medication and welfare benefits. (File photo by Whitney Bryen/Oklahoma Watch)
In their annual budget proposal, Oklahoma City officials allocated $300,000 to reinvent the city’s response to mental health 911 calls. But few details are known about the initiative, which seeks to minimize police involvement.
By: Karl Torp
OKLAHOMA CITY -
In the wake of several deadly police shootings, Oklahoma City has started a conversation on how to make its police department better.
Oklahoma City hired an outside consulting group to help hear from residents on possible changes.
21CP Solutions out of Chicago held an town hall style meeting recently to hear from Oklahoma City residents.
City Councilman James Cooper said we have to rethink community policing.
“If someone is black, they are somewhere around three times more likely to find themselves dead when they have an encounter with law enforcement,” Cooper said.
The councilman has half dozen ideas he d like implemented.
By: Anjelicia Bruton
OKLAHOMA CITY -
Several restaurants throughout Oklahoma City have mask mandates and social distancing guidelines in place because of the pandemic. Local businesses said most customers are taking it well, but others aren t.
Lee s Sandwiches posted a video of a customer that became frustrated when asked to wear a mask on their Facebook page.
The post said, You know it s tough staying open and keeping the team serving during an unprecedented pandemic. Then there s humans out in the world like this that make it just that much harder.
City Councilman James Cooper said he was saddened to see this happen in his community.
The mayor went on to clarify that his role as mayor prohibits him from directing city employees or making personnel decisions in regards to the Oklahoma City Police. He explained that concerned citizens must reach out to the City Manager. I recognize this can seem counterintuitive, but it is the law under which I must operate, wrote Holt.
The Oklahoma City Manager can be contacted at (citymanager@okc.gov).
Read the Mayor s Full Statement Below
Officer-involved shootings - especially those that end in death - are inherently tragic events that leave only sadness in their wake. The loss of life is felt deeply by the family and friends of the deceased. Fear is left behind in communities that disproportionately interact with law enforcement. Our officers are left with scars they never wished to have. We are all left with questions that may never be answered.