Oklahoma Town Police Office Captain James “Matt” French captured on body digital camera footage during his arrest.Oklahoma Metropolis Police Department
An Oklahoma City Police captain asked a fellow officer to transform off his physique camera throughout his DUI arrest.
Capt. James “Matt” French, a 32-year veteran, was arrested on a DUI demand above the weekend.
“Will you remember to communicate to me? You can switch it off and change it on,” French questioned, entire body digital camera footage exhibits.
A veteran Oklahoma Metropolis Police Division captain accused of drunk driving repeatedly questioned a fellow officer to switch off his overall body digicam so that they could “discuss” before he was arrested, movie of the incident shows.
Capt. James “Matt” French was arrested on a DUI cost after Sergeant Chris Skinner of the Oklahoma City Law enforcement Department pulled French above for “swerving” and driving at a “high price of pace” early Sunday early morning, authorities stated.
System digicam footage produced this week by the office exhibits French with his hands up outside his unmarked, town-assigned SUV in the driveway of a property the place he claimed he lived. Skinner approached him and informed him to get again in the automobile.
When French was asked whether he experienced been drinking, he responded: “I am a captain of the police office” and whispered for Skinner to “change the digicam off,” the footage demonstrates.
“Flip the digital camera off, be sure to,” French pleaded right after he was requested how a lot he experienced to consume.
Skinner informed French, “I’m not turning my digicam off,” as he then directed him to phase out of his automobile. “You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Skinner added.
In the course of questioning, French admitted he experienced been at a poker video game and that he had drank three or 4 beers, the online video reveals.
When Skinner requested French to do a sobriety check, French once again asked, “Sir, can- can you flip that off?”
“I know you are aware of our physique cam policy,” the sergeant advised French. “You know I are unable to transform off this system cam.”
French then mentioned, “I do, but I would like to communicate to you.”
“Will you be sure to communicate to me? You can transform it off and turn it on,” French added. Sgt. Skinner refused.
French, a 32-year-old veteran of the Oklahoma Town Law enforcement Section, again told the officer that he was a captain.
Tale continues
“I comprehend that, and I am a sergeant,” Skinner claimed. “I’ve taken an oath to uphold the law. I do not show favoritism to everyone no matter. I never treatment if you are a gangbanger or the president of the United States.”
French was later put in handcuffs and arrested.
Oklahoma Town Law enforcement Chief Wade Gourley praised Skinner for his actions all through a press meeting, declaring that he “did exactly as he really should have, and taken care of it really skillfully in my belief.”
“I’m very pleased of the way that our officers dealt with it at the scene,” Gourley said. “I hate that we are in this situation. I dislike it for Captain French. I detest it for our group.”
Gourley mentioned that the department will start an administrative investigation into the make any difference adhering to the legal investigation. The division place French on administrative go away with pay out following his arrest.
French did not instantly answer to a request for remark by Insider on Friday.
Read the unique short article on Insider
The Fort Information