Tulsa Police Say No Resolution In Islamic Society Event Controversy

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Tulsa Police Department canceled a news briefing Friday afternoon concerning developments in the Islamic Society of Tulsa event scheduled for March 4, 2011.

Moments before the briefing was to start, police said the event was canceled.  TPD officer Jason Willingham says the department thought it had come up with a resolution concerning Captain Paul Fields' recent discipline.  But that wasn't the case.  Willingham did say both sides are still in negotiations.

Earlier this week, the department disciplined Fields because he refused to order his officers to attend the Islamic Society's law enforcement appreciation day on March 4th.

The department also announced that Fields is being investigated by TPD's Internal Affairs for violating the department's obedience policy.

A flyer from the Islamic Society of Tulsa invited all Tulsa officers to attend the event at a mosque at 4630 South Irvington.

On Wednesday, Captain Fields filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming the department violated his first amendment rights.

2/23/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Police Captain Reassigned After Refusing Order Files Lawsuit