A Colossal Failure To Hold Police Accountable

Throughout the pivotal period from 2021 to 2022, Oklahoma County residents deeply vested in their criminal justice system found themselves on edge. This unease was born from the looming possibility of Kevin Calvey assuming the role of district attorney. During this prolonged uncertainty, Calvey's overwhelming presence in the political sphere left Democratic challengers hesitant to emerge, despite outgoing District Attorney David Prater sharing their party affiliation.

It was only when Vicki Behenna stepped into the limelight as a contender that the dynamics of this transition began to shift. Behenna's lack of policy stances was eclipsed by her impressive credentials and the profound respect she commanded within the community. Her emergence, viewed through the lens of her not being Kevin Calvey, provided a glimmer of hope.

However, what may surprise many is that in her first significant decision as DA, Behenna adopted the same stance as Calvey when it came to holding law enforcement accountable. She took over the investigation of three high-profile police shootings and subsequently dismissed charges that Prater had found enough evidence to charge.

Oklahoma City, unfortunately, ranked among the cities with one of the highest rates of deadly police encounters in the nation and these cases were the most egregious.

Calvey, trying to secure police support, pledged to dismiss the charges. In contrast, Behenna initially pushed back, claiming she needed to thoroughly review the evidence but would take necessary action. This, however, conveniently ignored the fact that the outgoing district attorney had already found enough grounds for charges.

Ultimately, Behenna's decision to dismiss these charges was met with criticism. It was flawed both from an evidentiary standpoint and for political reasons, as public sentiment vehemently opposes leniency for officers involved in fatal encounters.

The issue of police misconduct in the United States is a grave concern, with over 1,000 deaths occurring annually at the hands of law enforcement, a rate that significantly exceeds that of most other developed countries. To put it in perspective, Oklahoma City alone records more police-related deaths each year than the entire United Kingdom, a nation of 67 million people.

The specifics of these cases were deeply troubling. As he was fleeing, Bennie Edwards was shot in the back by an officer seconds on the scene. Stavian Rodriguez, a child, was tragically executed by what seemed like a firing squad of officers who had ample time, tactical advantage, and information to resolve a botched robbery without resorting to murder.

Behenna, disregarding her predecessor's findings, hired a team of former law enforcement consultants and contrived reasons to absolve these officers of accountability. In 2018, ACLU polling showed that the top priority for district attorneys should be holding police accountable, a responsibility that Behenna has neglected.

Many had harbored reservations about Behenna from the outset. Her campaign, devoid of specific policy proposals, started late and relied more on style than substance. While defeating a controversial figure like Calvey may not have seemed overly challenging, the role of DA carries immense importance and power. Oklahoma County is the state’s largest county, it can prosecute misdeeds at the Capitol and currently it drives the incarceration rate for the entire state.

It's disconcerting that Behenna appears to be striving for an image of being tough on crime and pro-law enforcement. This approach raises serious concerns, as the desire for progressive prosecutors is rooted not in a preference for crime-ridden streets but in the understanding that simply being tough on crime, waging a war on drugs, and perpetually punishing offenders do not create safer communities. These strategies have, in fact, contributed to our nation's staggering incarceration problem and persistently high crime rates.

Behenna's inability to hold the dangerously lethal police force accountable is a glaring shortcoming. Whether her personal history, which includes her son's involvement in a detainee's death during military service, influences her decisions or not, it remains unacceptable.

Furthermore, there is significant cause for concern regarding her ability to address the state's astronomical incarceration rate, the alarming racial disparities in the justice system, and the deplorable overcrowding in the Oklahoma County jail.

After years of disappointment and frustration with Prater's tenure, many had hoped that Behenna would usher in positive change. Unfortunately, the initial signs do not bode well for a brighter future.