Another Inmate Smuggles Gun Into Oklahoma County Jail

A loaded gun found inside the Oklahoma County Jail leads to changes in the sheriff's booking procedures.

News 9 was first to uncover the mishap, which understandably raised questions about Oklahoma City Police Officers following proper protocol. The incident occurred on Oct. 2, when an Oklahoma City police officer was booking Mickale Tyler into the Oklahoma County jail.

An inmate at the jail reportedly witnessed Tyler pull a gun from the waistband of his pants and try to hide the weapon. Initial reports indicate the police officer missed the subject's gun during a pat down at the time of his arrest.

"We know obviously there was some sort of a breakdown here on our officer's part," said Oklahoma City police spokesperson, Capt. Dexter Nelson.

Nelson says the involved officer is relatively new to the force, but that is no excuse, since all officers are trained to search an inmate during the arrest, and then again before going into the jail. 

"We are going to look at our procedures to see if there is anything we can do on our end to make sure this doesn't happen again," said Nelson.

9/3/2013 Related Story: Oklahoma County Jail Inmate Smuggles Loaded Gun In Body Cavity

Nelson says it's his understanding that the county's detention officers are also supposed to conduct a search during the booking process.

This is second time in a month that a weapon has made it into the jail. Last month, inmate Mark Valadez was accused of hiding a gun inside body, in order to get the weapon past security. Due to the recent incidents, jail administrators have changed their procedures.

"We are no longer just depending on what happened outside the jail," said Mark Myers, a spokesman for the Oklahoma County sheriff's office.

Myers says the jail staff has always done checks, but now they are doing them in more isolated areas. 

"We have now implemented new security features when an officer comes in with an inmate," said Myers. "They will now come into this new secure area."

No more than two inmates will be allowed in the area, until they've been checked for guns and contraband.

"It's all about safety," said Myers. "We want to make sure that everyone who has contact with that arrested individual is safe."

Oklahoma City Police are conducting an administrative investigation. The involved officer remains on duty.