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What started as a routine public records request in Drumright, Oklahoma quickly devolved into a masterclass of government dysfunction and constitutional violations. When journalist Ron Durban attempted to obtain police use of force records, he encountered locked doors, legal confusion, and threats that would make any civics teacher cringe.
The entire interaction was captured on video, revealing a disturbing pattern of officials who either don't know the law or simply choose to ignore it.
Locked Doors and Runarounds
Drumright's police department was mysteriously locked during regular business hours when Durban arrived to file his Oklahoma Open Records Act request. After calling an officer, he was told the police department doesn't handle body camera footage and was directed to the dispatch center instead.
The dispatcher, Andrea, immediately tried to redirect him to file a federal Freedom of Information Act request online rather than accept his in-person state records request. When Durban explained that Oklahoma's Open Records Act specifically allows in-person requests during business hours, the situation began to escalate.
Under Oklahoma law, refusing to accept a properly filed open records request is a misdemeanor offense. The dispatcher appeared unaware of this legal requirement.
The Tribal Jurisdiction Shell Game
When an unidentified officer arrived, the interaction took a bizarre turn. Durban explained he wanted to file a crime report for the records law violation, citing the officer's duty to enforce state statutes.
The officer's response was unexpected: he claimed to be "tribal" and therefore couldn't take the report. When pressed, he suggested everyone at the department was tribal, creating a jurisdictional maze that would apparently make law enforcement impossible.
The exchange revealed either a fundamental misunderstanding of tribal jurisdiction or a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability.
Dental Care and Constitutional Rights
The conversation took a surreal detour when the officer began making personal comments about Durban's dental care, offering to connect him with a dentist friend in Tulsa. The unprofessional remarks seemed designed to provoke a reaction.
When Durban responded with colorful language about the state of the officer's teeth, he was immediately threatened with arrest for "cursing in public." The officer's threat came despite Supreme Court precedent clearly establishing that profanity is constitutionally protected speech.
The chilling effect was immediate and intentional, creating a textbook case of First Amendment retaliation.
What the Video Reveals
The footage captures not just the specific violations, but a broader pattern of officials who seem either ignorant of basic constitutional principles or willing to ignore them when challenged. The officer's refusal to repeat his arrest threat on camera suggests he understood the legal problems with his position.
Multiple laws appear to have been violated during this brief encounter, from the initial records refusal to the speech-chilling arrest threat. Yet the officials showed no concern about potential consequences.
The interaction raises serious questions about training, accountability, and whether Drumright residents are receiving the professional law enforcement they deserve and pay for.
Watch the full confrontation unfold and see exactly what happens when the threats escalate.
