More Police Rifles, No Body Camera Creates Rift With Some Metro Citizens

We are learning more about how a plan to allow Oklahoma City Police Officers to carry their own rifles on patrol will work.

After the Dallas police ambush, the Fraternal Order of Police requested the ability for officers to carry their own rifles out of fear that they could be outgunned.

Chief Bill Citty originally said no, but reconsidered after three police officers were killed in Baton Rouge, LA. The Chief says more rifles will be ordered after a survey is conducted on who wants one.

In the meantime, officers qualified on their own personal rifles can have them on patrol and keep them in the trunk of their patrol cars. The weapons must be approved by the department, which will also pay for the rifle ammunition.

Right now, the department has around 300 AR-15-style rifles in service.

At City Council Tuesday, concerns came from citizens saying more rifles and no body cameras sends the wrong message.

“That’s not indicative of a great relationship that’s trying to be built with OCPD and the community,” said Grace Franklin with the group Artist for Justice.

OCPD’s body camera program was stopped after FOP voiced concerns over how footage would be reviewed.

The Police Department and FOP are in talks about how to bring the cameras back and both sides feel an agreement will be made soon.