OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating allegations of misconduct in the Tulsa County sheriff's department following the shooting of a restrained man by a volunteer deputy and the release of a 2009 memo that raised concerns about his training.
The bureau said Monday that it opened an investigation at the request of Okmulgee County District Attorney O.R. Barris, who is investigating the case.
Robert Bates has pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the April 2 shooting death of Eric Harris, saying he confused his stun gun and handgun. Bates has since resigned from the reserve deputy program.
Since the shooting, a memo surfaced indicating that officials within the sheriff's office pressured staffers to ignore Bates' lack of training.
