Blanchard Police Officer Claims Corruption, Intimidation Within Department

By Adrianna Iwasinski, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Allegations of corruption and intimidation have been brought out against a small Oklahoma town's police department by one of its own officers.

The city of Blanchard, like most cities, has seen its fair share of lawsuits come from former and current employees claiming wrongdoing. However, one Blanchard officer who is speaking out against the police department hasn't filed a lawsuit, at least not yet.

The officer said he is afraid of losing his job, but he agreed to speak out about the way he and other officers are being treated, as long as his identity is protected.

"I'm not going to sit here and watch officers that I would give my life for get put through the stress that they get put through on a daily basis, go home and take that stress to the house," the officer said.

The officer claimed he and fellow officers at the Blanchard Police Department are being bullied, intimidated and coerced into documenting hear-say information and are being threatened with their jobs if they refuse. He said the department is also refusing to pay its officers overtime and comp time.

"They tell us that they don't need to give us overtime because we are police officers and public servants and that we just need to deal with it because we took an oath of office," the officer said.

Current Blanchard City Manager Bill Edwards said this was the first he had heard of the complaints and that no one from the department has filed a grievance.

"I have no knowledge of the allegation, certainly no knowledge of it is happening. It is not happening," Edwards said.

Edwards was reappointed as the Blanchard city manager six months ago. Edwards previously served as the city manager from about 2000 to 2007.

The police officer said he went to the Blanchard police chief to file a grievance but nothing was done, and he said he was surprised that Edwards claimed he didn't know anything about it.

"These guys spend six hours plus a day in a vehicle together. What are they doing? Are they governing the city? Are they protecting theirself from more lawsuits? What is going on?" the officer said. "I want to see someone come in and hold these men accountable, and if holding them accountable is taking their jobs, I don't think anyone in our city will cry."

Blanchard Police Chief Tom Linn said the allegations have no base.

"If you knew me and what I stand for and what my goals are and my commitment to the city and the police officers, I think you would say they (the claims) are baseless. They are foundless there's no substance," Linn said.

The officer said he plans to file a complaint with the Attorney General.