The US Department of Justice announced Thursday that it has opened an investigation into Oklahoma State, Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Police Department.| MORE | OKC Police Release Statement Following DOJ Investigation Announcement The DOJ will also review Oklahoma City’s systems for responding to people facing behavioral health crises, including through the 911 call center and the police department. “Community mental health services, which have proven to transform people’s lives, are essential to preventing a cycle of unnecessary institutionalization and avoidable contact with law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division in the press release. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring appropriate responses to behavioral health crises and to protecting the civil rights of people with mental health issues.” Oklahoma City Police Department officials said in a statement that the DOJ informed the department Thursday morning of the investigation, but did not receive specific information about it. “We intend to cooperate with the USDOJ and look forward to working with them in an effort to provide the safest and most efficient means of responding to these types of calls,” said the chief executive. Oklahoma City police, Wade Gourley, in the statement. The survey is being conducted pursuant to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability by Oklahoma and local governments. The press release says the investigation is also being conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in any behavior or practice. by law enforcement that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. The DOJ notified several Oklahoma and Oklahoma City officials of the investigation ahead of Thursday’s announcement. Those briefed include the offices of Governor Kevin Stitt, Attorney General John O’Connor, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Mayor David Holt, City Manager and Police Chief Wade Gourley. A DOJ official told KOCO 5 that the investigation could take up to a year.
The US Department of Justice announced Thursday that it has opened an investigation into Oklahoma State, Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Police Department.
| MORE | OKC Police Release Statement After DOJ Investigation Announced
A news release says the inquest will examine whether Oklahoma is failing to provide community mental health services to Oklahoma County residents, which authorities say is resulting in unnecessary admissions to psychiatric facilities and contact with the police. The DOJ will also review Oklahoma City’s systems for responding to people facing behavioral health crises, including through the 911 call center and the police department.
“Community mental health services, which have proven to transform people’s lives, are essential to preventing a cycle of unnecessary institutionalization and avoidable contact with law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Release. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring appropriate responses to behavioral health crises and to protecting the civil rights of people with mental disorders.”
Oklahoma City Police Department officials said in a statement that the DOJ notified the department Thursday morning of the investigation, but had not received specific information about it.
“We intend to cooperate with the USDOJ and look forward to working with them in an effort to provide the safest and most efficient means of responding to these types of calls,” said the chief executive. Oklahoma City police, Wade Gourley, in the statement.
The survey is being conducted pursuant to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability by Oklahoma and local governments. The press release says the investigation is also being conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in any behavior or practice. by law enforcement officials that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.
The DOJ notified several Oklahoma and Oklahoma City officials of the investigation ahead of Thursday’s announcement. Those briefed include the offices of Governor Kevin Stitt, Attorney General John O’Connor, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Mayor David Holt, City Manager and Police Chief Wade Gourley.
A DOJ official told KOCO 5 that the investigation could take up to a year.
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