Tulsa County Under Sheriff Tim Albin has resigned. The announcement came at this morning's Tulsa County Commission meeting.
The resignation is the latest domino to fall in the Reserve Deputy Investigation at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. This started on April 2nd, when Reserve Deputy Bob Bates shot and killed a restrained suspect when he mistook his gun for a taser.
There have been allegations that Bates had not received proper training and got special treatment because of his close friendship with the Sheriff. Recent memos linked Albin to that special treatment.
In a statement to the County Commissioners, Sheriff Glanz said " I will continue to examine my organization and there will be more changes in the coming days as I work to restore the integrity of the Sheriff's Office which the public has come to expect over the years I have been sheriff."
Dan Smolen, the attorney for Eric Harris' family, responded with a statement this afternoon.
The resignation of Undersheriff Tim Albin is an important step in the necessary change of leadership at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. However, Sheriff Glanz and Tom Huckeby must also resign. Sheriff Glanz should not be permitted to use Mr. Albin as a scapegoat. As the 2009 internal affairs report makes clear, Sheriff Glanz was well aware of the issues with Bob Bates' training, inappropriate behavior and the enhanced risks that Mr. Bates posed to the public. Yet, as TCSO admits, Sheriff Glanz took no action. Rather, Sheriff Glanz sat by and allowed Sgt. Randy Chapman and Sgt. Eric Kitch to be intimidated and marginalized for simply trying to do their jobs. Indeed, there is evidence that Sheriff Glanz actively participated in covering up Mr. Bates' lack of necessary training. Ultimately, Sheriff Glanz is responsible for the corruption within the TCSO. It is time for him, and Maj. Huckeby, to go. It is time for new leadership, reform and reconciliation.
Smolen called for the board of county commissioners to get involved if Glanz does not resign willingly.