Graphic video of Tulsa man as he was killed by cop who thought he pulled taser

[Zaac]

Police release graphic video of Tulsa man as he was killed by cop who thought he pulled his Taser

Tulsa police have released graphic video of the Tulsa man who was shot and killed last week by a reserve sheriff’s deputy who thought he had pulled his Taser instead of his gun.

Eric Harris died last week after Reserve Deputy Robert Bates, 73, mistakenly grabbed his service weapon — believing it was his Taser — and shot him as he attempted to assist with the arrest.

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/04/...ht-he-pulled-his-taser/#.VSnQMNMfWeg.facebook

Deputy who killed man after mistaking gun for Taser is an insurance exec who pays to play cop

The reserve Tulsa County Sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot and killed a man last week when he thought he had pulled his Taser, is part of a group of wealthy donors who make large contributions to the department for the privilege of playing police officer.

According to Tulsa World, Robert Bates, 73, who made the fatal mistake that cost a man his life, is a local insurance company executive who has donated multiple vehicles, weapons, and stun guns to the Sheriff’s Office since becoming a reserve deputy in 2008.

In video released Friday, Bates can be heard apologizing, saying “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” as police handcuffed Harris before he was taken to a local hospital where he died from his gunshot wound.

According to Maj. Shannon Clark, Bates is a highly regarded member of the Reserve Deputy Program who was assisting the Sheriff’s Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force when Harris was shot.

Clark stated that Bates is one of many wealthy donors among the agency’s 130 reserve deputies, saying, “There are lots of wealthy people in the reserve program. Many of them make donations of items. That’s not unusual at all.”

On Monday, the Sheriff’s Office deferred questions to the county commissioners’ office when asked for a list of items Bates had donated, including his own service weapon and Taser.

Bates, who served as a Tulsa police officer for one year in 1964, is not compensated for his time assisting the sheriff’s deputies, and is classified as an “advanced reserve,” meaning he “can do anything a full-time deputy can do,” explained Clark.

“Although he had training and experience for the arrest team, he’s not assigned to the arrest team,” Clark said of Bates’ role assisting the task force. “He came to render aid during the altercation, but he’s in a support role during the operation. That means keeping notes, doing counter-surveillance, things like that.”

Following 320 hours of training with CLEET (the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training) as well as have completed 480 hours of the TCSO Field Training Officer Program, an “advanced” reserve can “perform normal field duties by themselves and without the direct supervision of a certified deputy” according to the training program

The Tulsa Police Depart also utilizes reserves, however the approximately 55 reserve officers are typically limited to working traffic control or parking lot patrols during “Safe Shopper” operations during the holiday shopping seasons.

The Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office has yet to decide whether they will press charges against Bates.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/04/...er-is-an-insurance-exec-who-pays-to-play-cop/

Just incredible. A man who isn't even supposed to be doing this kills someone and they have yet to decide if they will press charges? SMH

The guy's family needs to sue the wealthy non-police officer, the city and everyone else associated with the Tulsa Police Department.

 

[annsni]

What do you mean by "man who isn't even supposed to be doing this"? He is a reserve officer who can do everything a full officer can do but does not get paid for it.

 

[Crabtownboy]

What do you mean by "man who isn't even supposed to be doing this"? He is a reserve officer who can do everything a full officer can do but does not get paid for it.

In the heat of excitement the reserve officer made a terrible mistake. It is like a person meaning to put on the brake and instead flooring the accelerator.

Why a 73 year old man wants to be a reserve office is beyond me. Regardless he will now have to live knowing he mistakenly killed a man. For me that would be hard to live with.

Was his mistake a crime? I do not know and will not speculate.

 

[Zaac]

What do you mean by "man who isn't even supposed to be doing this"? He is a reserve officer who can do everything a full officer can do but does not get paid for it.

What I mean is according to THEIR department, as stated by SGT Shannen Clarke,
“Although he had training and experience for the arrest team, he’s not assigned to the arrest team,” Clark said of Bates’ role assisting the task force. “He came to render aid during the altercation, but he’s in a support role during the operation. That means keeping notes, doing counter-surveillance, things like that.”

This is what I mean. According to her,they aren't supposed to be doing what he did, and this incident, is probably why.

It's a shame that because some folks are wealthy and give donations to the police department, that they can ride around with a revolver and a taser and kill folks and not be charged.

There is something extremely wrong with this picture.

He may not need to be charged with murder, but he needs to be charged with something. And anybody who has ever held a revolver and a taser knows that there is a significant weight difference. Not to mention the delay on a taser.

This city needs to be bankrupt over this because apparently the only thing that gets people's attention is when you mess with the money.

 

[Zaac]

In the heat of excitement the reserve officer made a terrible mistake. It is like a person meaning to put on the brake and instead flooring the accelerator.

Why a 73 year old man wants to be a reserve office is beyond me. Regardless he will now have to live knowing he mistakenly killed a man. For me that would be hard to live with.

Was his mistake a crime? I do not know and will not speculate.

I think it's a shame that they are basically letting wealthy donors buy their way onto the police force, with the full lethal power and authority of the police.

It's a recipe for this type of disaster.

Sorry or not, a man is dead and somebody needs to be held responsible.

 

[targus]

I think it's a shame that they are basically letting wealthy donors buy their way onto the police force, with the full lethal power and authority of the police.

It's a recipe for this type of disaster.

Sorry or not, a man is dead and somebody needs to be held responsible.

What is the factual evidence that "wealthy donors buy their way onto the police force"?

You are simply repeating the opinion of the author.

 

[InTheLight]

It's a shame that because some folks are wealthy and give donations to the police department, that they can ride around with a revolver and a taser and kill folks and not be charged.

Well, that's a bit over the top. Yes, some wealthy people like to play "cops" by riding along with their local police force in exchange for donations, but I hardly think their motivation is to buy their way into an opportunity to kill someone.

 

[annsni]

From the article:

Clark stated that Bates is one of many wealthy donors among the agency’s 130 reserve deputies, saying, “There are lots of wealthy people in the reserve program. Many of them make donations of items. That’s not unusual at all.”

I don't think it is all people buying into being a reservist. It's just probably that it is those who are wealthier who have the time to actually do this since others are working full time jobs.

 

[Zaac]

What is the factual evidence that "wealthy donors buy their way onto the police force"?

You are simply repeating the opinion of the author.

The factual evidence is that they make contributions and are suddenly a part of the Tulsa Reserve Police Department.

“There are lots of wealthy people in the reserve program,” he said. “Many of them make donations of items. That’s not unusual at all.”

http://www.tulsaworld.com/newshomep...cle_3d1f3fe7-43cd-5fa1-9e8c-d8b3aefe2504.html

 

[InTheLight]

From the article:



I don't think it is all people buying into being a reservist. It's just probably that it is those who are wealthier who have the time to actually do this since others are working full time jobs.

They have time to do this? Do what sort of thing? Play cops? The guy is 73 years old. SEVENTY-THREE. I'm sure he's in tip-top physical shape and highly trained in the lastest police procedures. [/sarcasm].

“There are lots of wealthy people in the reserve program. Many of them make donations of items. That’s not unusual at all.”

Bates, who owns an insurance company, served as chairman of the Re-elect Sheriff (Stanley) Glanz Committee in 2012 and donated $2,500 to Glanz’s campaign that year.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crim...cle_67394595-5b09-59d1-a791-ae543e4cfcd1.html

 

[Zaac]

Well, that's a bit over the top. Yes, some wealthy people like to play "cops" by riding along with their local police force in exchange for donations, but I hardly think their motivation is to buy their way into an opportunity to kill someone.

Now I didn't say they were looking for an opportunity to kill someone. I'm referencing the fact that in Tulsa, they have given them full police authority for certain situations, and armed them with lethal weapons, in part because they are wealthy and made donations.

The eye-glass camera that recorded this video, according to some sources, one of the donations the 73 year old had made.

I feel sorry for this old guy cause I know he didn't expect this type of attention at 73.

 

[Zaac]

They have time to do this? Do what sort of thing? Play cops? The guy is 73 years old. SEVENTY-THREE. I'm sure he's in tip-top physical shape and highly trained in the lastest police procedures. [/sarcasm].

Bates, who owns an insurance company, served as chairman of the Re-elect Sheriff (Stanley) Glanz Committee in 2012 and donated $2,500 to Glanz’s campaign that year.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crim...cle_67394595-5b09-59d1-a791-ae543e4cfcd1.html

See THAT's the type stuff I'm talking about. Suddenly you've got a reserve police force made up of all your wealthy contributors. You're giving the rich and already powerful in your community police power. Just an awful recipe for abuse of powers.

 

[righteousdude2]

Just incredible. A man who isn't even supposed to be doing this kills someone and they have yet to decide if they will press charges? SMH

The guy's family needs to sue the wealthy non-police officer, the city and everyone else associated with the Tulsa Police Department.

It appears to be a very unfortunate accident. And until the investigation proves different, wanting this man's flesh hung out to dry is not what Jesus would do. Also, suing is another thing Jesus would not pursue. Just sayin'!

 

[Zaac]

It appears to be a very unfortunate accident. And until the investigation proves different, wanting this man's flesh hung out to dry is not what Jesus would do.

Accidents don't release culpability. I could care less about the old man's flesh. He shouldn't have even been put in that position to have such an "Accident". It's the department that needs to be held responsible for this.

Also, suing is another thing Jesus would not pursue. Just sayin'!

Is the old wealthy man a Christian? If he is, I'd let him slide. But that doesn't release the department and the city from being sued.

 

[InTheLight]

It appears to be a very unfortunate accident. And until the investigation proves different

THERE IS NO INVESTIGATION. That's the point. The guy shoots and kills someone else and there is no investigation.

Tulsa Police Department homicide Sgt. Dave Walker said Friday that although the homicide took place in the city limits, TPD would not investigate the death unless the Sheriff’s Office asked them to.

“And they have not asked us to,” Walker said.


http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crim...5-5b09-59d1-a791-ae543e4cfcd1.html?mode=story

 

[InTheLight]

Robert Bates, the reserve Tulsa County deputy who fatally shot a man who was in a physical altercation with another deputy last week, has donated thousands of dollars worth of items to the Sheriff’s Office since becoming a reserve deputy in 2008.

Bates has donated multiple vehicles, guns and stun guns to the Sheriff’s Office since he became a reserve deputy in 2008, Clark said. The Sheriff’s Office did not have an itemized list of donations made by Bates available Monday and deferred that question to the county commissioners’ office, which tracks those items.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/newshomep...cle_3d1f3fe7-43cd-5fa1-9e8c-d8b3aefe2504.html

Hey, he donated multiple vehicles, he's entitled to ride around and play cop.

 

[Zaac]

THERE IS NO INVESTIGATION. That's the point. The guy shoots and kills someone else and there is no investigation.

Tulsa Police Department homicide Sgt. Dave Walker said Friday that although the homicide took place in the city limits, TPD would not investigate the death unless the Sheriff’s Office asked them to.

“And they have not asked us to,” Walker said.


http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crim...5-5b09-59d1-a791-ae543e4cfcd1.html?mode=story

And THIS is a major problem across the country. There needs to be some sort of mandatory special prosecutor to deal with police killings. Because leaving it up to the prosecutors who work with their departments day in and out to decide whether or not to press charges just doesn't make much sense.

 

[annsni]

The factual evidence is that they make contributions and are suddenly a part of the Tulsa Reserve Police Department.

Following 320 hours of training with CLEET (the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training) as well as have completed 480 hours of the TCSO Field Training Officer Program, an “advanced” reserve can “perform normal field duties by themselves and without the direct supervision of a certified deputy” according to the training program

800 hours divided by 40 hours a week is 20 weeks. I don't think that's quite "suddenly".

 

[Zaac]

800 hours divided by 40 hours a week is 20 weeks. I don't think that's quite "suddenly".

You're talking about their hours needed to become an "advanced reserve" and able to go out by themselves. I don't believe those are the requirements to join the Police Reserves.

 

[Sapper Woody]

According to the quote above, the guy had 800 hours of training to get to the position he was in. He paid in donations to be able to get there, but he was trained. He didn't "buy his way in". 800 hours of training is roughly the equivalent of an entire year of college classes (at 5 hrs/day, 5 days/week, 4 weeks/month, 9 months = 900 hours).



I would attribute his mistake to age, not lack of training.