Attorneys for Broken Arrow Police Chief Lance Arnold say the city conceded on one of three requests for Arnold’s interview; however, the city has been tight-lipped on what policies or procedures were allegedly violated.
Arnold was placed on paid administrative leave in early October for policy violations regarding a warrantless arrest.
His attorney, D. Mitchell Garrett Jr., said the city ordered Arnold to be silent during the investigation, and anything Arnold or his attorneys say publicly will be held against him. Arnold said he will abide by whatever investigative rules he’s given, and he deleted a shared post on social media that his attorneys claim the city of Broken Arrow took issue with.
“I want a fair investigation, and I intend to cooperate with it. I will attend the city’s interview and answer its questions. I have preserved everything they’ve asked me to preserve, and I will follow the directions the city has given me while I’m on leave,” Arnold said.
Chief Arnold’s other attorney, Christopher Camp, said the city denied three requests about the interview.
“Tell Lance what he’s accused of before he walks into the interview. Let his lawyers sit in the room. Let Lance record his own interview, since the city’s recording. The city’s first answer in writing was no to all three of those requests,” Camp said.
However, they conceded on one and will allow an attorney in the room during the interview, but he cannot speak or object. As far as the other two requests, Arnold won’t know the subject matter of the investigation until the interview, and he can’t record it.
Arnold also says the media announced his paid leave before he could tell his family personally.
