Tulsa FOP presses opposition to discrimination lawsuit

The Tulsa city council has learned more about the city's settlement with a group of black police officers over a racial discrimination lawsuit filed eight years ago. <br><br>In the settlement, the

Friday, April 12th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Tulsa city council has learned more about the city's settlement with a group of black police officers over a racial discrimination lawsuit filed eight years ago.

In the settlement, the city agrees to make policy changes within the force. It has 18 months to enact set guidelines on racial issues at a cost of nearly one million dollars just to get started.

Many with the Fraternal Order of Police are opposed to the settlement. They believe it will cost the city money that should go to law enforcement. They also say it will create another layer of management in the department, and unfairly points a finger at officers who haven't done anything wrong.

Tulsa Police officer Sgt Van Ellis and FOP chairman, "It pre-supposes there has racial bias and racial profiling, or racism that existed within the police department and certainly we think the Tulsa Police Department is an unbiased department and acts fairly."

The Tulsa FOP could take some sort of action when members meet again in about a week,