Oklahoma City police union requests use of personal rifles for force

Despite the peaceful protest of Black Lives Matter supporters in cooperation with Oklahoma City Police Department July 10, a local police union is pushing for a more armed and armored police force following the Dallas shooting that left five officers dead last week.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123 asked, in a publicly released letter, that the city allow officers to carry personal rifles on duty and to equip more officers with body with body armor, according to the Associated Press. In light of the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of police and the events in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where peaceful protest was swallowed by militarized police, this proposal has the power to create further unnecessary tension between OKCPD and their citizenry.

Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty could not be reached for comment, but has told The Oklahoman that allowing personal rifles on duty is unnecessary and would present problems for ensuring the quality of the equipment.

Chief Citty told NewsChannel 4, "A rifle is rarely needed in law enforcement. The main factor is what's absolutely needed. It's not going to sit in the trunk of that car unused and we spent a lot of money on it."

He said that out of about 500 patrol officers about 200 have a rifle. He said soon 85 more officers will have one. The FOP also has asked OKCPD to purchase more ballistic shields and helmets for officers. As for ballistic helmets, Citty said all new officers have been assigned one.

The letter itself focuses on the recent shooting in Dallas and its implications for the safety of OKCPD, saying that “The FOP recently polled [their] members and received an overwhelming response that officers are willing to purchase their own rifle and ammunition if needed.”

The FOP does not provide hard numbers for their “poll” but goes on to say “we are experiencing violent and volatile times around the country. Let’s not allow our officers and citizens to be vulnerable when steps can be taken to help protect them and prevent more tragedies.”

In the wake of the successful Black Lives Matter march and protest in Oklahoma City that drew 2,000-2,500 people according to OKCPD, this letter is unnecessary and goes against the wishes of protesters (read: citizenry) who wish to call attention to police violence against people of color.

The shootings in Dalla are a horrific tragedy, and it seems that the FOP is using it to their advantage; the AP reported that Master Sgt. John George, who is president of the local union, says the union has requested this policy before and issued its recent letter in light of the Dallas shooting.

Lauren Dow contributed to this article.
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The Gayly - 7/14/2016 @ 5:01 pm CDT