"It's creating more issues than it's actually solving": OKC Police Chief weighs in on new immigration law
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Several police departments are taking a stand against a controversial new immigration law.
"It's creating more issues than it's actually solving," said Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley.
Chief Gourley raised concern about a new immigration law, first requested by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
"If you're here illegally and committing a crime, I advise you to go ahead and move out of Oklahoma right now," AG Drummond previously told News 4.
Chief Gourley said the purpose of the law is to address illegal immigration, marijuana, and drug trafficking in Oklahoma.
"[Which I] Totally agree with," said Gourley.
The law targets any non-US citizen living in Oklahoma committing a crime, and it gives officers the authority to make arrests based on immigration status.
Governor Kevin Stitt said police must have reasonable suspicion that the person has committed a crime before asking about their immigration status.
"We have to have border security. We're going to be a law and order state," said Governor Kevin Stitt.
While he expected the law, Gourley felt it is much too broad.
In a letter, the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and Metro Law Enforcement Agency Leaders said they were not consulted before the bill was written.
"I've been a chief of a major city for five years, largest agency in the state. Wouldn't hurt to bring me to the table," said Chief Gourley.
The new law takes effect July 1.
"Is that enough time?" asked News 4.
"No," said Gourley. "It's just not possible."
Now, the department is working on a way to carry out this law.
"The only way you can follow that is everybody has to be asked about their status," said Gourley. "We don't have the ability to run immigration status. We would have to count on another federal entity to do that."
For years, OKCPD has worked to build trust with immigrant communities. Now, he feels all of that is lost.
"We're going to be right back to square one," said Gourley.
"Do you think people will be hesitant to call 911 even if someone's hurt?" asked News 4.
"Definitely. And it already occurs," said Gourley. "They're not going to call us now to report crimes."
Gourley said he knows crime must be stopped, but he does not believe this is the way to do it.
"Let's try to get common sense law that targets that criminal element, not the entire immigrant community," said Gourley.
"Two Oklahoma courts have carefully considered Phillip Dean Hancock's request for DNA testing and properly rejected that request. It is telling that Hancock made this request almost five years after exhausting all his appeals. No amount of DNA evidence can prove Hancock's indefensible claim of self-defense. At trial, Hancock's own expert contradicted the defendant’s version of events. Hancock pursued an unarmed and injured Robert Jett Jr. into the backyard of Mr. Jett's home. A witness heard Mr. Jett say, ‘I'm going to die!’ and Hancock respond, ‘Yes, you are!’ before Hancock shot him again. The evidence is clear that Hancock murdered Mr. Jett and James Lynch."
- Phil Bacharach, Director of Communications for AG Drummond