TULSA, Okla. — A state lawmaker called Thursday for an independent review of Tulsa’s reserve deputy program as more questions arose about the training of a 73-year-old volunteer officer who says he accidentally shot a suspect to death.
Some of those questions stemmed from a statement reserve deputy Robert Bates made about his past law enforcement experience and training in a report about the April 2 shooting of Eric Harris.
Bates claimed on the form that he had received training from Arizona’s Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on responding to active shooters. But Lisa Allen, a spokeswoman for the office, said Thursday that Bates’ name couldn’t be found on a list of people who are allowed to participate in such training.
A message seeking comment on the training left with Bates’ attorney, Clark Brewster, was not immediately returned Thursday.
