OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday that it had determined Oklahoma City and its police department engaged in discriminatory practices against individuals with behavioral health disabilities. This conclusion was reached following the release of a 45-page report which detailed the findings of an investigation into the operations of state and local law enforcement agencies.
According to Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, the report highlighted instances where the city unnecessarily institutionalized adults with mental illness and where the police department tended to escalate crisis situations by deploying armed officers instead of utilizing behavioral health professionals. Clarke expressed concern that this approach often resulted in unaddressed mental health needs and unnecessary escalation of crises, potentially leading to avoidable uses of force.
Both Oklahoma City officials and Police Chief Ron Bacy indicated they were still in the process of reviewing the report issued by the DOJ. The investigation, initiated in 2022 following a complaint, did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the complaint. The DOJ, through a spokesperson, declined to offer further comments on the matter.
This investigation in Oklahoma marks one of 12 similar inquiries opened by the DOJ since April 2021. Many of these investigations were prompted by high-profile incidents involving fatalities at the hands of law enforcement officers, such as the cases of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. Previous investigations conducted by the DOJ have revealed systematic patterns of unlawful policing practices.
In their findings report, the DOJ expressed its intention to collaborate with city and state officials to address the identified issues. However, the agency also stated that if a mutually agreeable resolution could not be reached, it reserved the option to file a lawsuit to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In response to the report, both Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Governor Kevin Stitt acknowledged the necessity for enhancements to the state’s mental health system. However, they criticized the actions of the DOJ under President Joe Biden, characterizing them as an instance of federal overreach.
Attorney General Drummond remarked, “We will closely review the findings, but the DOJ report appears to be an attempt to bully Oklahoma into compliance with ever-changing and undefined targets.”
The DOJ’s investigation into the practices of Oklahoma City and its police department sheds light on the ongoing concerns surrounding the treatment of individuals with behavioral health disabilities within the criminal justice system. Efforts to address these issues and ensure compliance with federal regulations are expected to continue as stakeholders engage in discussions to improve the overall treatment of vulnerable populations within the state.
