Q: Are sheriff’s deputies required to give their name and badge number upon request?
The Fairview Police Department was called for a disturbance within city limits, the sheriff’s office was never dispatched or notified for assistance, yet they interjected themselves anyways. They refused to identify themselves while body cams were being used and only once a third party recorded, did they identify themselves. Possibly deleting incriminating footage? Is there any legal action to be taken?
A:
I assume you are speaking of Major County sheriff deputies as you mentioned Fairview. A common misconception is the only law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction within city limits is the city themselves. However, this is incorrect. The City of Fairview is located inside Major County; therefore a Deputy has jurisdiction as well because they have jurisdiction throughout the entire county. Oklahoma Highway Patrol even though not a city or county agency would also have jurisdiction on Highway 60 or 58. OBN would have jurisdiction because they have Statewide jurisdiction. So, to answer your question, they do not have to be called or dispatched to insert themselves into the situation.
If they have body cams, then those would be accessible to the public through the Freedom of Information Act as public record. From your facts, there does not appear to be any illegal action taken by the Law Enforcement Agency.
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