Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan said Monday he's voiced his displeasure and concerns to the Tulsa County District Attorney's office over their handling of Betty Shelby's manslaughter case.
"However, the DA's office does not work for the Tulsa Police Department and the Tulsa Police Department does not work for the DA's office, but we both work for the citizens of Tulsa," Jordan said. "There's not going to be anything that's going to deter us from collaborating, working well, cooperating with the district attorney's office in order to receive quality prosecutions for people who victimize our citizens."
During trial, prosecutors made the case Shelby got preferential treatment from TPD because she's a cop. Lead homicide detective Sgt. Dave Walker has said he would not have pursued charges in the shooting death of Terence Crutcher.
The local police union filed a grievance against District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, saying he broke protocol to charge Shelby quickly and avoid potential civil unrest. Defense attorneys said Kunzweiler went around Walker to use his own investigator.
Kunzweiler has said he respects Walker.
Jordan said concerns about how TPD and the district attorney's office will work together now that Shelby's manslaughter trial is over are not valid.
"It has not changed a bit. We are going to continue working with the district attorney's office, and the relationship will be a good working relationship and we'll accomplish the same goals we've always meant to accomplish," Jordan said.
Jordan also addressed concerns about the case against Shelby in a brief news conference.
Jordan defended Shelby being shown video of her shooting Crutcher, saying it follows best practices and would likely be done for a civilian if video were available.
Regarding Shelby being told not to talk, Jordan said he encourages officers to speak only to the investigator because it keeps the story from being muddled.
"I don't want them to run around and just tell everybody at the scene their version of what happened at that time, because those versions seem to change when it gets two or three people down the line," Jordan said.
Post-acquittal, Shelby's new role at TPD is not being described out of concern for her safety.
