TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Two Tulsa sheriff’s reserve deputies have returned to active duty after the agency began reforming the program and increased its training requirements.
The program’s overhaul came after former reserve deputy Robert Bates fatally shot an unarmed man during a 2015 sting operation. Bates alleged he mistook his revolved for his Taser. He was later found guilty of second-degree manslaughter.
Records released after the incident showed many reserve deputies’ files were missing training-hours and firearms qualification documents.
Two reservists have met the increased qualifications and have been reinstated, sheriff’s office spokesman Justin Green told the Tulsa World (https://bit.ly/2pXAjFl ). Another 39 reservists remain on the roster inactive, down from about 129.
Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado said he wants current reserve deputies to go through the increased training before opening the program to applicants.
“I’d much rather take it slow,” Regalado said. “We’ll have to suffer a little bit in terms of having bodies, but it’s worth it to me.”
Regalado said while the program changes have received positive feedback he is planning on analyzing whether rolling back some of the more stringent requirements will benefit the program. He noted that many of the reserve deputies have jobs, making it difficult for them to dedicate a lot of time to training.
Since taking the reins as sheriff, Regalado has also implemented a policy to eliminate solo patrolling and assignments to special operations or task forces.
Former Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz resigned in 2015 after being indicted on a misdemeanor charge related to Bates’ case.
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Information from: Tulsa World, https://www.tulsaworld.com
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