Petition For Grand Jury Investigation Into TCSO Needs 5,000 Signatures

A judge has approved the petition for a grand jury investigation into the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

The people behind the petition are the same people who have led several protests against the sheriff.

They say they want Sheriff Stanley Glanz gone, and that's why they say it's come to this.

The petition lists 20 things for the grand jury to look into, including whether the sheriff created what they call a "buy a badge" reserve deputy program.

5/12/2015 Related Story: Judge Approves Petition For Group Wanting Grand Jury Investigation Of TCSO

Since Tulsa County Reserve Deputy Bob Bates shot suspect Eric Harris to death last month, Marq Lewis has taken his mission to Tulsa streets.

His group, We The People Oklahoma, has led protests to get rid of Glanz. Now, Lewis and Attorney Laurie Phillips have filed a petition for a grand jury investigation into the sheriff, which a judge approved.

"The buck stops with him, so that's what we're looking for, is him to show leadership. This is the ultimate form of leadership, him to step down," Lewis said.

They need 5,000 signatures from Tulsa residents who want to see a grand jury inquiry into allegations against the sheriff.

Allegations like, did reserve deputies receive proper training and why was Major Tom Huckeby allowed to supervise his son, Michael Huckeby?

Phillips said that violates policy.

"Sheriff Glanz, in his own press conference, said, 'I make the policy, I can change the policy.' Well I guess he changes policy whenever the mood strikes him," Phillips said.

The petition also asks why no disciplinary action was taken after the internal investigation in 2009. It revealed deputies were intimidated to fake Bates' training records.

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"The people who were involved in this have been elevated up. The people who were involved in it, one of them was his undersheriff. I mean, where's the discipline," asked Phillips.

The sheriff's office responded in a statement, saying none of the allegations are true.

"They are not crimes that the sheriff committed or should be removed for. At most, they are workplace violations by employees, which the sheriff [intends] to investigate...Why would he resign because some of his employees failed to follow policies?"

Undersheriff Tim Albin resigned last week, and Lewis said it's the sheriff's turn.

"Just because one person has resigned doesn't fix the problem. The problem is him," Lewis said.

They have 45 days to get 5,000 signatures and they think it'll be easy.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's office said Glanz will continue to serve the citizens of Tulsa County "with the respect he has always shown them."