News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Lincoln County Sheriff Hoping to Stay in Office
By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The newly elected Lincoln County Sheriff, W.P. Coffey, said he's staying in office for now.
Despite being on the job for nine months now, Sheriff Coffey has yet to be certified by the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, or CLEET. The certification is required by state law.
Sheriff Coffey told NEWS 9 on Monday that he first tried to complete the course at the OSU-OKC campus, but failed to do so and received an "incomplete" on his transcript.
On September 14, he tried to complete the course by attending the CLEET course based in Ada, Oklahoma, but was told by instructors to leave because of his health issues.
"I completed a mile and a half run, sit-ups and push-ups, but the next day I was told I had physical limitations and I shouldn't be there,"said Sheriff Coffey who admits he's on medication for high blood pressure and arthritis.
"I understand it, but I don't like it," said the sheriff.
The Lincoln County District Attorney could file a petition with the courts if the sheriff can't obtain his certification in a timely manner, but as of Monday no such action as been taken.
"I just talked with the D.A. this morning about another issue, and he didn't mention anything about this," said Sheriff Coffey.
Calls to Lincoln County District Attorney Richard Smothermon were not returned Monday.
"I love this job. I feel like I can make a difference and it's why I'm here," said Sheriff Coffey who says he's now working once again with the staff at OSU-OKC to complete the final course he needs to obtain certification.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office web site, Sheriff Coffey has 18 experience in law enforcement as a jailer, dispatcher, and a field officer.
Sheriff Coffey has also served as a police officer for Meeker Police Department and Davenport Police Department and a reserve officer for the Chandler Police Department.
Sheriff Coffey was employed with the Chandler Public Schools as a teacher for 23 years before becoming the Lincoln County Sheriff. He has a degree in Behavioral Sciences from Seminole State College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Masters Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Comments Terms of Use: Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. In addition, by submitting a comment, you recognize that your comment may be read or discussed on one or more television news broadcasts on NEWS 9 and you consent to any such use. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
A former Marine faces six counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shootings of four people whose bodies were found inside a burning house. More>>
An Oklahoma man accused of hiring his handyman to kill a North Dakota dentist has waived extradition and will be returned to North Dakota to face a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. More>>
All this week News On 6 reporter Ashli Sims has been following the health care reform bill. More>>
Oklahoma City police are seeking the public's to find a man accused of impersonating a police officer. More>>
The economic turmoil is taking its toll on Oklahoma. News9.com tracks unemployment and layoffs in the state. More>>
The Oklahoma City-County Health Department has announced a section on their Web site titled "Easy Check In" will now be available for those intending to attend H1N1 clinics. More>>
The Black Friday deals are normally released in the Thanksgiving Day ads, but some shoppers are getting a head start by looking online. More>>
