Body cam footage shows Oklahoma police captain arrested for DUI: ‘Turn the camera off, please’

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A police captain for the Oklahoma Metropolis Police Division was filmed repeatedly asking a sergeant flip off his physique digital camera throughout a DUI cease earlier this week, as seen in new footage launched by the division.

On Could 12, Captain James “Matt” French of the OKCPD’s murder investigation crew was pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving.

Sergeant Chris Skinner, a fellow police officer, stopped French simply after 1:30 a.m. that morning. Captain French, a 32-year veteran on the power, was allegedly swerving and dashing in his city-issued automobile. French later mentioned he drank just a few beers and a poker sport 4 blocks away.

Within the video, French seems to open his automotive door earlier than the sergeant approaches.

“Get again in your automobile,” Sgt. Skinner says.

“I’m,” French begins to say.

“Drunk?” Skinner suggests.

Skinner mentioned French’s eyes have been watery and he was slurring his speech. The video captures the captain ensuring the arresting officer is aware of he’s “a captain of the police division,” and asking seven instances for Skinner to show off his digital camera.

“Sir, can I … are you able to flip that off?” French requested the officer one of many instances. “I’m asking you. I’m a captain on the police division.”

“I don’t care in the event you’re a gangbanger or the president of the USA,” Skinner says at one level. “If I have been to deal with you in another way than I used to be to deal with some South Aspect Loco or some pedo, how does that look on me?”

French in the end agreed to a discipline sobriety check, which he failed. Skinner positioned him beneath arrest.

The incident occurred after, what the captain mentioned, was just a few beers and a poker sport 4 blocks away.

Police Chief Wade Gourley mentioned Sgt. Skinner did all the pieces by the e book.

“The officer did precisely as he ought to have and dealt with it, you realize, very professionally, in my view,” mentioned Chief Gourley.

The Chief mentioned now the division has to conduct a felony investigation and a subsequent administrative investigation.

“In an administrative investigation … [there are] different questions we are able to delve into that we are able to’t do on the felony facet,” mentioned Chief Gourley. “There’s oftentimes loads of issues that you may’t reply simply from viewing a video.”

The felony investigation will happen earlier than the division’s inside investigation.

Proper now, French is on depart with pay, however that would change relying on these investigations.

“I hate that we’re on this place. I hate it for Captain French. I hate it for our group,” mentioned Gourley.

The Police Chief mentioned French in any other case has a clear historical past.