Sheriff's FOP Dumps On Rinehart
By John Estus/The Oklahoman ~ Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart received a vote of no confidence this morning from the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office Fraternal Order of Police.
The vote stems from Rinehart’s history of disagreements with Sheriff John Whetsel, but “the straw that broke the camel’s back” was the controversial comic book released by Rinehart’s re-election campaign last week, FOP President Larry Grant said at this morning’s weekly board of county commissioners meeting.
Grant told Rinehart, the District 2 Commissioner, that the fallout from the comic book is negatively affecting Oklahoma’s national perception and that Rinehart has a personal agenda and is not conducting himself professionally.
The comic book attacks homosexuals, Whetsel and other local politicians who Rinehart claims are out to get him. It has received national media attention as a homophobic hit piece, but Rinehart has defended the book as a creative way to inform voters about his often-controversial political career.
Rinehart said during the meeting that he’s never needed FOP or other union support in the past and the he’ll “be fine” without it. He is up for re-election this year and the Republican primary is Tuesday.
Grant gave Rinehart a letter detailing the vote of no confidence during the meeting.
Grant told Rinehart that local law enforcement officers are “insulted” that Rinehart labeled equipment they use for protection as “toys” in the comic book.
In a sequence in the comic, Whetsel is shown asking for more money so he can buy “more, more and more toys!” The “toys” referenced include police cars and armored assault vehicles.
Whetsel has called Rinehart anti-law enforcement in the past. Rinehart said this morning that he isn’t anti-law enforcement but wants to hold the sheriff’s office accountable for its expenses.
Following the meeting, Rinehart called the sheriff’s FOP “almost a taxpayer-funded political machine” for Whetsel.
Grant said Whetsel had no knowledge that he would appear at today’s meeting.
The vote of no confidence occurred at last night’s FOP Lodge 155 meeting. It was unanimous.
The vote stems from Rinehart’s history of disagreements with Sheriff John Whetsel, but “the straw that broke the camel’s back” was the controversial comic book released by Rinehart’s re-election campaign last week, FOP President Larry Grant said at this morning’s weekly board of county commissioners meeting.
Grant told Rinehart, the District 2 Commissioner, that the fallout from the comic book is negatively affecting Oklahoma’s national perception and that Rinehart has a personal agenda and is not conducting himself professionally.
The comic book attacks homosexuals, Whetsel and other local politicians who Rinehart claims are out to get him. It has received national media attention as a homophobic hit piece, but Rinehart has defended the book as a creative way to inform voters about his often-controversial political career.
Rinehart said during the meeting that he’s never needed FOP or other union support in the past and the he’ll “be fine” without it. He is up for re-election this year and the Republican primary is Tuesday.
Grant gave Rinehart a letter detailing the vote of no confidence during the meeting.
Grant told Rinehart that local law enforcement officers are “insulted” that Rinehart labeled equipment they use for protection as “toys” in the comic book.
In a sequence in the comic, Whetsel is shown asking for more money so he can buy “more, more and more toys!” The “toys” referenced include police cars and armored assault vehicles.
Whetsel has called Rinehart anti-law enforcement in the past. Rinehart said this morning that he isn’t anti-law enforcement but wants to hold the sheriff’s office accountable for its expenses.
Following the meeting, Rinehart called the sheriff’s FOP “almost a taxpayer-funded political machine” for Whetsel.
Grant said Whetsel had no knowledge that he would appear at today’s meeting.
The vote of no confidence occurred at last night’s FOP Lodge 155 meeting. It was unanimous.
Labels: Brent Rinehart, FOP, John Whetsel
posted by Mike McCarville @ 1:40 PM
