Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Receives Donation To Help With Body Cameras

All Tulsa County patrol deputies are one step closer to wearing body cameras while on the streets thanks to a generous donation.

Sheriff Vic Regalado said putting body cameras to use is something he's been working on for a while, and soon it will become a reality.

For Cherokee Nation Councilman Buel Anglen, body cameras help ensure the safety of the community.

"This is something that's near and dear to my heart," Anglen said. "It really helps the citizen and the officer."

But when he found out the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office was struggling financially to maintain their cameras, he made it his mission to help.

"It became something I wanted to really push forward for," he said.

Anglen donated an $8,000 check to the Tulsa County Sheriff's Foundation. The money will help support storage, training and service costs.

Regalado said the donation helps meet his goal of equipping all patrol deputies with body cameras.

"This is just a small step forward in Tulsa County Sheriff's Office increasing their accountability, transparency and ultimately providing professional law enforcement services to the citizens of Tulsa County," Regalado said.

The sound and images from the camera are clear, and officers can quickly upload video which can be used as evidence.

Deputy Cass Filhiol said, "When the public sees this camera, it gives them a sense of security and it helps us do our job."

Regalado knows the gift will help with transparency and accountability; Anglen hopes his gift inspires others.

"I would hope that what we're doing today will maybe open the eyes of everybody. We need to all step up and start helping the Tulsa County Sheriff and the Tulsa PD," he said.

The sheriff's office is in the process of finalizing the policies for its body cameras and hopes to put them to use in the coming months.