TULSA Police deny racial harassment claim

The Tulsa Police Department denies the charges of racial harassment against a City Councilor. Friday afternoon, the department released the results of an internal affairs investigation. KOTV's Emory

Friday, June 8th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Tulsa Police Department denies the charges of racial harassment against a City Councilor. Friday afternoon, the department released the results of an internal affairs investigation. KOTV's Emory Bryan says it's been a week since a disturbance in the north Tulsa neighborhood of Joe Williams, an encounter that prompted Williams to accuse the department of racism.

Friday, the department released the results, saying, "no conduct...could be construed as racial in nature...the officer acted well within guidelines." But Councilor Williams thought differently the night of the incident. Police Dispatcher: "This is the police department." Williams: "This is city councilor Joe Williams. I just had a racist encounter with your department." Police Dispatcher: "Sir what happened?" Williams: "They know what happened. Ask them what about your sorry police department, what they did to me tonight. I was the victim. Is this recorded?" Police Dispatcher: "Yes sir, it is." Williams: "OK this is City Councilor Joe Williams, I want to talk with your racist police department. Transfer me to your racist director for the evening tonight." Police Dispatcher: "Let me get your phone number." Williams: "Wait a minute I'm a city councilor and you need my name and phone number?"

An internal police memo, obtained by the News on Six, says councilor Williams started yelling and screaming at officers saying quote..."we were racist and he was tired of it. When officers tried to calm him down he, according to the memo continued to get more hostile." The encounter was before the 911 call, but now after interviews with neighbors, and with Councilor Williams, police says the racism complaint was unfounded. Councilor Williams was at Thursday's city council meeting but refused comment. Councilor Williams will respond, Monday, in a 3:30 PM media conference at the Rudisill Library.

KOTV wants to make it clear, the TPD investigation covered only the actions of their officers, not those of Councilor Williams. He made the allegations of racism, prompting the investigation, which brought the situation to light.