City Leaders Agree Changes Must Be Made To Prevent Future Killings

A jury found Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby not guilty of manslaughter in the shooting and killing of Terence Crutcher.

City leaders are reacting to the verdict with different opinions, but they do agree incidents like this have to stop.

Tulsa pastor, Dr. Warren Blakney said there has to be a change in the way law enforcement conducts themselves, not just here, but across the country. Tulsa officers said they don't want to see anything like this happen ever again.

Special Coverage: Terence Crutcher Police Shooting

"My reaction was basically no reaction because I anticipated the outcome," Blakney said.

The pastor said the trial may have ended, but the fight for equality continues. He said the change has to come from everybody, regardless of race or religion.

"Until we feel the humanity that we're all human beings, and feel the same pain, and go through the same things in this situation and speak with one voice, we will continue to see this over, and over, and over again," Blakney said.

Tulsa law enforcement officers agree that the violence needs to stop.

"Just because we support our member does not in any way diminish our heartfelt sympathy for the Crutcher family. They've lost a father, a brother, a son, a loved one," said FOP chairman Jerad Lindsey.

Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado said, "Hopefully this never happens again. There are no winners in this, and people's lives have been changed forever."

Lindsey said justice is a process, and right now the community needs to heal; but, he said everybody needs to work together.

"I don't think anybody's got a simple answer. If there was a simple answer, I think we would have already reached it," he said.

Blakney said, "There has to be a change in terms of police departments across this country. We have to not do business as usual."

Lindsay said they have several projects in the works moving forward, including body cameras for all officers and better treatment for people addicted to, and in recovery from drugs.