Oklahoma Watch sues city of Tulsa seeking details of woman’s arrest during mental health crisis

Bryen requested all police reviews and statements associated to the arrest of LaDonna Paris below the Oklahoma Open Records Act on April 4 after video footage prompted public outrage. The response included a whole bunch of feedback on video footage of the incident and on social media.

Angry Tulsans who spoke at a City Council assembly criticized officers’ dealing with of the 70-year-old great-grandmother who was experiencing a bipolar episode.

On April 13, Bryen additionally requested the audio and transcript of the 911 name that triggered the police response.

Jocelyn Finley, information workplace administrator for the Tulsa Police Department, stated in an e-mail on April 15 that the division wouldn’t launch the audio or transcription of the decision.

In May, two information directors for the division instructed Bryen they didn’t have the authority to launch the reviews as a result of the incident was below inside investigation. They directed her to Chief Wendell Franklin’s workplace, which by no means responded to Bryen’s request.

The lawsuit additionally alleges that the Police Department violated state regulation as a result of it didn’t have a delegated information custodian who may reply to requests for public paperwork during enterprise hours.

The defendant named within the lawsuit filed Tuesday is the city of Tulsa, which oversees the Police Department. The city and the Police Department are public our bodies funded by taxpayers and are topic to the state open information regulation.

Department spokesman Capt. Richard Meulenberg stated in an e-mail Wednesday: “The Tulsa Police Communications unit is not able to give any statements in reference to incidents that are in litigation.”

Ted Streuli, government director of the nonprofit Oklahoma Watch and former president of Freedom of Information Oklahoma, a nonprofit group shaped to guard authorities transparency, stated that “the Open Records Act is absolutely clear on the points we’re arguing in this lawsuit.”

“There is no justifiable reason for the Tulsa Police Department to delay or outright ignore our request. We’ve been waiting eight months and have given the city multiple opportunities to avoid litigation, but they have chosen to ignore us and the law.

“When public officials choose to operate in the shadows, they must be held to account. The public’s business must remain public. It’s the only safeguard we have against corruption, and no one, not even the mayor or chief of police, is above the law.”

Law enforcement businesses are required by the Oklahoma Open Records Act to make sure information, reminiscent of offense report information and details regarding an arrest, obtainable to the general public.

Kathryn Gardner, a Tulsa-based lawyer with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press representing Oklahoma Watch and Bryen, knowledgeable Franklin by way of e-mail that causes given by staff for withholding the information violate state regulation. The chief didn’t reply.

“A ruling in favor of Oklahoma Watch and Whitney Bryen would send a clear message that public bodies in Oklahoma, including police departments, must follow the requirements of the Oklahoma Open Records Act,” Gardner stated.

Police kicked in the door of a Habitat for Humanity ReStore restroom that Paris had locked herself inside, knocked her to the bottom, handcuffed her and jailed her on Oct. 25, 2021.

Months later, Paris’ son posted parts of physique digital camera footage supplied by police on YouTube, exhibiting officers taunting Paris earlier than her arrest. From outdoors the restroom, officers laughed and made enjoyable of Paris. One officer activated her Taser outdoors the door, whereas Paris talked frantically to herself, saying she feared that the police had been going to kill her.

The edited YouTube video has greater than 68,000 views and 400 feedback, many admonishing the officers.

The Police Department responded by posting the complete video account on-line and investigating the actions of the officers concerned. Franklin will determine whether or not to self-discipline the officers and the way.

Paris, now 71, filed a lawsuit in May in opposition to the city, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and three of the responding officers, alleging assault, emotional misery and violation of her civil rights, amongst different claims.