Table of Contents
A routine public records request at the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office quickly devolved into threats and refusal when officials denied access to basic use of force reports. The confrontation, captured during a live investigation, reveals a troubling pattern of government transparency violations across multiple Muskogee agencies.
Sheriff's Office Denies Mandatory Records
Undersheriff Greg Martin immediately refused to provide the last 20 use of force reports, documents required by Oklahoma law every time officers use physical force or deploy tasers. When pressed about the Oklahoma Open Records Act, Martin claimed he was "too busy" to fulfill the request.
The exchange grew heated when the journalist cited Title 51, explaining that refusing records during regular business hours constitutes a misdemeanor. Martin's response was dismissive, telling the reporter to submit paperwork despite the law's clear provision for immediate inspection of public documents.
"I've never read some but as an officer of the law who's sworn to uphold it maybe you want to go read title 51," the journalist told Martin, who remained unmoved by the legal citation.
City Hall Security Escalates Beyond Recognition
The situation deteriorated further at Muskogee City Hall, where security guard Larry from Prosegur Security physically blocked access to public areas and demanded all recording cease. Despite being in a public building during business hours, Larry insisted citizens needed appointments to access any records.
When reminded that filming in government buildings is constitutionally protected, Larry became increasingly agitated, cornering staff members and creating unnecessary drama. His behavior stood in stark contrast to other city employees, who remained professional and helpful throughout the encounter.
The confrontation reached its peak when Larry began receiving phone calls from viewers, though no one had solicited such contact.
What the Records Would Reveal
Use of force reports document every instance where officers physically engage with citizens, providing crucial insight into police conduct patterns. The journalist specifically requested these records following reports of problematic incidents in Muskogee County.
One citizen approached during the investigation described receiving edited body camera footage from the Muskogee Police Department, with timestamps that didn't align with emergency response calls. "They called the ambulance at 3382, so how do you call the ambulance before you make contact?" she asked, highlighting the importance of transparent record keeping.
The Broader Pattern
The resistance encountered in Muskogee mirrors issues found across Oklahoma's 77 counties, where some officials routinely violate open records laws. During the investigation, court clerk records revealed that criminal filings still contain unredacted social security numbers and personal information, creating identity theft risks for defendants.
This systematic failure to follow basic transparency requirements raises questions about what else these agencies might be hiding from public scrutiny.
Questions Left Unanswered
Despite multiple attempts across different government offices, basic questions remain unresolved. Why won't the Sheriff's Department provide legally mandated use of force reports? What training do security guards receive about constitutional rights? And most importantly, what will it take for Muskogee officials to simply follow the law?
The full confrontation, including the heated exchanges and officials' complete responses, remains documented in the video footage that these same officials tried so desperately to stop.
Watch the complete investigation to see exactly how your public servants respond when citizens exercise their constitutional rights.
