Republican Sheriff Candidates Debate In Tulsa

The Republicans running to replace Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz had their first debate.

One of the more personal questions was, "The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office became sloppy... how will you have personal discipline?"

Each candidate agreed a lot needs to be done in the sheriff's office, but had different ideas of going about that change. Seven candidates took the stage. Four current or former Tulsa Police officers, a former sheriff's deputy, a businessman and a Jenks police officer.

Most candidates talked about the need for more deputies, and better training.

Luke Sherman said, "We need to police ourselves. We need to patrol ourselves."

Erich Richter said the sheriff's office is also deficient in equipment.

John Fitzpatrick focused on how to fix the budget.

Dan Miller wants to reassess where deputies are assigned within the department.

Jim Rice talked about waste within TCSO and the need to reevaluate the budget.

While Jason Jackson said he'd look at where money was being spent, and plug those holes. "I think that I can bring a level of customer service to the citizens that Tulsa deserves," he said.

The jail was a hot topic.

Erich Richter said, "The sheriff does not sit on the jail authority. It's really kind of funny that one of the major responsibilities of the sheriff's office is that they're responsible for the jail, but the sheriff gets no vote on the jail authority."

As sheriff, Luke Sherman says he'd do a fact-finding mission to see what's working and what's not at the jail.

Vic Regalado said he'd do an audit and appoint someone more qualified to run the jail.

Candidates were also asked about being transparent, many of them saying law enforcement needs to connect  better with the community.

They were also asked about consolidating Tulsa police services and sheriff's office services into a metro department -- many said it is possible, but could take years.

The election is April 5th, 2016.