CNN
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Police physique digicam footage reveals an Oklahoma Metropolis police captain who was pulled over for suspected drunk driving asking the arresting officer to show off his physique digicam.
Sgt. Christopher Skinner pulled over Capt. James Matthew French, 55, just a little after 1:30 a.m. on March 12 after allegedly seeing his SUV swerving and making a flip with out signaling, in keeping with Oklahoma Metropolis Police Division incident experiences, components of which have been redacted, and physique digicam footage launched by the division.
CNN didn’t instantly hear again from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123, which represents members of the Oklahoma Metropolis Police Division, with any touch upon French’s behalf.
Within the physique digicam video, French is seen telling Skinner he’s an Oklahoma Metropolis police captain earlier than pointing to his chest and telling Skinner to show his physique digicam off. Lower than a minute later, French once more tells the officer to show his physique digicam off.
“Flip the digicam off,” French whispers. “Please.”
“Huh?” Skinner says.
“Flip the digicam off,” French whispers once more.
“I’m not turning my digicam off,” Skinner responds.
Skinner requested French how a lot he needed to drink. French responded he was at a poker sport and had “three or 4” beers, the most recent about two hours earlier than the site visitors cease.
The video reveals French once more repeatedly asking Skinner to show the physique digicam off as French struggles with area sobriety checks.
“I do know you might be conscious of our physique cam coverage,” Skinner tells French. “You recognize I can’t flip off this physique digicam.”
“I do,” French says. “However I’d like to speak to you.”
“I’m a captain within the police division,” French says after a short trade.
“I perceive that, sir. And I’m a sergeant… and I’ve taken an oath to uphold the regulation. I don’t present favoritism to anybody regardless,” Skinner says.
“Okay. I’m not asking for that,” French says.
In response to an incident report, French was arrested and booked on prices of driving drunk and failure to sign intention to show.
Oklahoma Metropolis Police instructed CNN French is on administrative depart pending the result of an investigation.
“As to why Captain French was saying that, I can solely make assumptions, however the officer did precisely as he ought to have by not turning the digicam off,” Police Chief Wade Gourley instructed CNN affiliate KOCO.