Tulsa County Reserve Deputy Close To Returning To Active Duty

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office is close to returning a reserve deputy to active duty status.

Reserve deputy Mike Leitch finished his field training hours and started on his refresher course, which is the final stage of training.

The reserve program is being reinstated gradually as participants meet new requirements established by Sheriff Vic Regalado.

5/12/2016 Related Story: More Changes Being Made To Tulsa County Reserve Deputy Program

Along with Leitch, four others are expected to finish training over the next six weeks.

Fit For Duty exams are also required - 40 reserves passed and can now move on to training.

The sheriff's office suspended the program after the April 2015 shooting death of Eric Harris.

Special Coverage: Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Controversy

A jury found Reserve Deputy Bob Bates guilty of manslaughter and recommended four years in prison, which a judged imposed.