Interim Tulsa County Sheriff: Department Has Nowhere To Go But Up

The interim Tulsa County sheriff held an impromptu news conference Friday on the sheriff's office audit that was released Thursday.

Michelle Robinette admitted there were major problems with the previous administration, and the department has nowhere to go but up.

Robinette said the sheriff's office didn't follow policies, which is clear in the audit; but she also said it wasn't just the former sheriff who is responsible, but everyone in the administration, including herself.

The over 200 page Tulsa County Sheriff's Department audit reveals one problem after another and suggests 205 ways the department can improve.

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“We didn't follow policy on instances that were found, and we found that, going through Sheriff Glanz removal, there were issues," Robinette said.

The audit says many of the problems stem from poor leadership within the administration, which the interim sheriff admitted she was part of.

Robinette said, "Were there difficulties, yes. Were their situations I had no control over and had no voice to say anything, yes, but it's done, it's over."

She said Glanz, the former sheriff, Stanley Glanz, saw the writing on the wall, ordering the audit before Reserve Deputy Bob Bates shot and killed Eric Harris in April 2015.

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"He knew there were issues, he didn't know how many or what kind, but he knew he needed to get a handle on things," Robinette said.

Besides the many leadership problems, the audit also highlights a number of ways the sheriff's office can save and generate money, mostly at the Tulsa County Jail.

It suggests renegotiating a number of contracts with Immigration and Custom Enforcement, as well as the Department of Corrections, the City of Tulsa and Tulsa Tech.

Increasing housing fees, security and transportation costs would generate almost $1.3 million. Switching around a few job positions and tweaking payroll would save $834,000. Reducing detention officer turnover rate equals a savings of $414,000.

All of that would equal $2.5 million.

The audit also suggested increasing starting pay for deputies pay by five percent since it doesn't match up with other agencies in the area.

Robinette is still reading through the 238 page report and plans to talk to the media more in-depth on Monday.