Mayor, Police Chief Hold Round Table Discussion on Race, Equity and Policing in Tulsa

6/1/2020

Today, Mayor G.T. Bynum, Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin and other City leaders held a round table discussion with members of the Tulsa community regarding four key areas of discussion.

Following a #WeCantBreathe press conference outside City Hall Monday morning, Mayor Bynum invited all organizers into the Tulsa Council Chambers to engage in an open, proactive and engaging dialogue about race, equity and policing in Tulsa.

The issues discussed were the communication of available mental health resources and mental health training in the Tulsa Police Department, the establishment of an Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM), the current status of LIVE PD in Tulsa and the current investigations into use of force within the Tulsa Police Department. 

Some of the outcomes are as follows:

• Chief Franklin says he is open to small meetings with community organizers to help guide decision and policy making.
• Mayor Bynum and Chief Franklin committed to additional collaboration with community organizers to enhance community mental health and well-being in Tulsa.
• Mayor Bynum says he is ready to sign the ordinance of the creation of the OIM in Tulsa.
• Mayor Bynum and Chief Franklin agreed there is a better, non-commercial way to communicate the work of the Tulsa Police Department than LIVE PD and they will develop a nonprofit alternative for utilization moving forward. The City will announce that alternative in the next two weeks, and it will be the only vehicle for public transparency moving forward.

Following the discussion, Mayor Bynum agreed to meet with community members within the next two weeks to discuss these issues further.