Lawmaker questions Tulsa police use of force, body cams

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Tulsa police are responding to a state lawmaker's accusations about the department’s use of body cameras and use of force. State Representative Regina Goodwin says she has been working with two citizens who have not been treated fairly.

Venetia Moore was stopped for a traffic violation 10 months ago but is now bringing her story to light with Goodwin. Moore was getting out of her car, seen on body cam footage, when the officer approached her.

“Next thing you know, you are getting your hands pulled behind your back, pushed up against your own car, being handcuffed and then thrown, thrown to the ground, a woman,” said Goodwin.

Moore is accused of biting the officer and is now facing a felony charge for the alleged assault.

Police say the officer did file a use of force report and says he was justified after Moore bit him.

In another case, police are investigating why two officers failed to utilize body cameras when a motorcyclist was stopped, violently, according to Goodwin.

“An officer takes it upon himself to step out in front of his moving bicycle and put his body in front of him. And there is a windshield that is broken and there is a man thrown off his motorcycle. He doesn’t know what is going on. A light is shined in his face,” said Goodwin.

Police confirm the two officers on the call did not have their cameras on, and the department is now investigating what happened.