Law Enforcement Supports Keeping State Employees' Birthdates Private

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Lawmakers opposed to the release of state employees birthdates received renewed support from members of the law enforcement community.

The heads of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Department of Corrections, the State Troopers Association and the Oklahoma Homeland Security were just some of the agencies who appeared at a news conference with Representative Randy Terrill and State Senator Debbie Leftwich to discuss releasing the data.

"It's the fact that the Open Records Act then becomes a tool to be used against some of our employees and to be used by those who wish to do us harm," Melissa Houston with Oklahoma Homeland Security said.

Leftwich and Terrill have both co-authored a bill preventing the state from releasing that information.

Earlier this month, members of the OPEA rallied at the state Capitol on this issue. Monday, it went one step further. OPEA filed a temporary injunction to stop the state from releasing that information. The measure will affect all reporters who could face challenges in getting birthdates of the subjects they're covering.

More on News9.com: Association Fights to Keep State Employees' Birthdates Private