Oklahoma City (February 06, 2019) – For the first time in the agency’s 129 year history, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office is announcing its intent to form a Citizens Advisory Board.
The move was announced just weeks after Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert was sworn into office. She ran on a platform of making improvements at the troubled county jail.
Early on in my campaign, Voice OKC contacted me and said they were very interested in being part of a Citizen’s Advisory Board for our jail and Sheriff’s Office. Fast forward almost two years, and here we are!
This spring, we are forming a Citizen’s Advisory Board to better engage citizens in our jail and Sheriff’s office. Regular, everyday people can apply to serve on the board and if chosen, will be privy to information about jail operations, grants, detention practices, patrol, and more. This group will become our public sounding board and help us be more accountable to our community. We are working with the federal Department of Justice to form this group based on a national model that has worked in other counties,” from Commissioner Carrie Blumert’s FB Page.
OSCO sent a out a news release announcing the panel after working closely with Blumert “whose office has been instrumental in beginning the dialog in getting the process started,” the release said.
From the news release, the OCSO will work closely with local community groups to help with selecting citizens to serve on the board. Members will be comprised of Oklahoma County residents and will be inclusive of differences in race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability. All residents of Oklahoma County will have the opportunity to apply to become board members. They will be tasked with looking at all areas of the Sheriff’s Office.
“We are extremely excited with the formation of this advisory board and look forward to hear what suggestions and ideas they come up with,” said P.D. Taylor, Oklahoma County Sheriff. “I have continually stated since I was elected, I am taking the OCSO in a new direction in an effort of total transparency. The ship is turning and this board will be a tremendous asset to us and the citizens of Oklahoma County.”
Details about how to apply for the panel are yet to be announced.
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