TPD Captain disciplined for refusing..

[sgrizzle]

TPD was moved to a community policing model which means they are supposed to connect with the neighborhoods they patrol as well as community groups. Many groups, like the Islamic society, hold events like this to thank the police and connect the police and citizenry. This is not the first or last meeting where officers are scheduled to attend.

[tulsa_fan]

This is not a community event, it is specifically set up for officers and not the "community"  The flier states there will be a prayer service they are welcome to attend, encourages questions regarding women's rights, Koran, etc.  It is an open forum regarding Muslims, in a mosque.  There is a difference, but its not different if it was the same scenerio in a baptist church. 

Officers attend meetings all the time at religious facilities, but they are neighborhood meetings discussing and relating to how they can fight crime in their neighborhood.  If this was a forum to improve relations between the muslim community and the police department, it would be different. 

I don't think what the Islamic Society is doing is wrong, I think its a great idea, but forcing officers to participate in an event whose purpose is to show what "muslims" do (muslims as a religious sect) if very different and should not be a requirement for officers to attend.

Another example is a church in North Tulsa serves pizza on Friday nights, they have invited officers to join them, anytime . . . officers do that, but it isn't forced, EVER. 

I encourage you all to read the actual documents from Captain Field and DC Webster which can be seen on KOTV's story.  What actually got me pissed at Webster is his veiled threat that if Fields took his position public is could jeopardize the Honor Guard and what it does (providing services at funerals) . . . guess what?  The honor guard is a VOLUNTARY group within the department.   He also mentioned provided protection to the Hillsboro protesters, well that is a police function, I don't know of any officer, well, really any person, that believes in what they are selling, but it was their duty to provide a safe environment, which they did.  There is no bias here.

[guido911]

And here comes the lawsuit:

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=14087879

[Conan71]

And here comes the lawsuit:

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=14087879

Suing for a buck.  What a high roller.

[Hoss]

Suing for a buck.  What a high roller.

[Quinton]

The people of Tulsa need to show how they feel and support for the police department.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Maybe if the Mosque served food more would attend?

Donuts!!

[Conan71]

The people of Tulsa need to show how they feel and support for the police department.

Bahahahaha!

http://movieclips.com/SK6U-fletch-movie-hug-a-cop/

[patric]

The turnout was around 100 Officers.

[cannon_fodder]

What I find funny is that many good Christian Tulsan's look at Muslims with suspicion and even fear.  They are OK with more scrutiny of Muslims at airports or even with wiretaps and other law enforcement devices.  We actively recruit Muslims to look within their own community and report extremist behavior.

It would seem maintaining close police relationships with an Islamic Center would be along the same line, if security is what we are concern with.

I'm not accusing anyone of being a terrorist.  I'm not accusing the officer of being a bigot.  I'm simply saying that it makes sense to be to have our law enforcement on good terms with people that are members of a community viewed with suspicion.  It can help diffuse the suspicion AND, if some sort of potential problem or fear does arise it may help stop further problems (e.g., if TPD had good relations with the greenwood district maybe, just maybe, the race riots could have been avoided?).

[heironymouspasparagus]

CF,
And don't forget torture!  That's always justified against Muslims today.


Heard on radio that 100+ showed up.  Does anyone know if it was the coercion or reaction to the Captain?

[Red Arrow]

e.g., if TPD had good relations with the greenwood district maybe, just maybe, the race riots could have been avoided?).

Unfortunately, prejudice overrides rational thinking.

[Townsend]

Per TW FB post:

A federal judge ruled this week that Tulsa Police Capt. Paul Fields' lawsuit over his refusal to attend a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day last March at a local mosque may not be expanded to include a First Amendment freedom of speech claim, ruling it would be "futile."

[guido911]

Per TW FB post:

A federal judge ruled this week that Tulsa Police Capt. Paul Fields' lawsuit over his refusal to attend a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day last March at a local mosque may not be expanded to include a First Amendment freedom of speech claim, ruling it would be "futile."

I will be dealing with a very similar issue in one of my cases soon. Futility issues often surface in the amendment process, which is what appears to have happened. His free exercise and establishment claims are on-going.

[tulsa_fan]

The comments of 100 officers in attendence are GREATLY exaggerated.