Sen. Haste, Rep. Dills applaud governor for signing bill barring release of video showing an officer dying

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, thanked Gov. Kevin Stitt after he signed Senate Bill 968 into law on Monday.  The measure would prohibit the release of a recording showing an officer dying in the line of duty unless the court rules the material should be released in specific cases.

“This bill is about protecting the dignity, not only of our fallen heroes, but their fellow officers and surviving family members, who can be retraumatized by these recordings.  It can also make it more difficult to seat a jury in such cases,” Haste said.  “I’m grateful for all the support we had in both chambers and by Governor Stitt who has now added his signature.”  

The defense and prosecuting attorneys would still have access to these recordings, and family members of the deceased officer would also be able to view them.  The legislation was filed after video was released of the shooting of Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnson in 2020 after a traffic stop.  Johnson later died from his injuries.

"This is important legislation that will help protect the integrity of our law enforcement officers when they are shot and killed in the line of duty," Dills said. "We ask these officers to willingly place their lives at risk to protect public safety. Audio and video recordings of their deaths should be reserved as evidence for courts of law only as they have no redeeming value to society."

SB 968 takes effect 90 days after sine die adjournment.

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For more information, contact:
Sen. John Haste at 405-521-5602 or email John.Haste@oksenate.gov.
Rep. Sheila Dills at 405-557-7331 or email Sheila.Dills@okhouse.gov.