Missing Files Don't Raise Red Flags For Tulsa County Deputies

An internal audit into the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office revealed there are missing records for almost 40 percent of the reserve deputies.

This comes in the middle of a grand jury investigation into the sheriff's office.

Right now the program is at a standstill during the investigation, and, although there are many files missing, deputies said nothing raises red flags.

As a grand jury investigation into Sheriff Stanley Glanz is underway, and Reserve Deputy Bob Bates prepares for a second-degree manslaughter trial after shooting Eric Harris, an outside company is going through records at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

Special Coverage: TCSO Reserve Deputy Shooting Controversy

One of the main focuses is the reserve deputy program, which is made up of 128 men and women. The latest finding reveals 50 of those people have missing records.

9/10/2015 Related Story: Tulsa Sheriff: 'Deficiencies' Found In Files Of 50 Reserves

Deputy Justin Green said, "That could have been anything from missing an updated copy of a driver's license, missing a photo for our records on our computer system, to missing a copy of a certificate that had been completed deficiencies."

Green said it's nothing that can't easily be fixed.

“A driver's license expires every four years, so someone hadn't brought theirs in. They bring it in, we copy it and get it updates," he explained.

Tulsa County Commissioners hired Dallas-based Community Safety Institute in June to audit the sheriff's office, and these initial findings are just one piece of the puzzle.

The sheriff has previously stated he also wants the firm to look at the use of force and post-shooting policies, the best practices for record keeping and the organizational structure of the sheriff's office.

Green said he doesn't know how long it'll take to get all of those results back.

“Once we receive that report, they are going to make some suggestions on how we can make our program more efficient and a better, stronger program," he said.

Green said the internal audit, and legal proceedings, will make the department stronger in the end.

"It certainly opened our eyes and encourages us, as an office as a whole, that everything is kept up to the standards that they need to be kept up with going forward," he said.

The reserve deputies also play a big part in patrolling the Tulsa State Fair which is coming up in a few weeks.

Since the reserve program is inactive, more full-time deputies will step in to provide security.