Teachers backing Oklahoma County sheriff deputies in political fight

Oklahoma County sheriff deputies have influential new allies in their ongoing feud with county commissioners — teachers.

"Contact your county commissioner and tell them to fund Oklahoma County Law Enforcement Services!!" the Oklahoma City chapter of the American Federation of Teachers wrote in a Facebook post Friday night.

Deputies last week began going door to door in unincorporated areas of Oklahoma County to warn residents that patrols and other law enforcement services could be cut to fund a jail trust. They are passing out flyers urging citizens to call the three commissioners, Carrie Blumert, Brian Maughan and Kevin Calvey, and "voice your concerns." Deputies plan to picket outside the courthouse this week.

"Your family's safety will be at risk," the flyers state.

Commissioners are moving toward creating a trust to oversee the financing and operation of the 13-story jail just west of downtown Oklahoma City. A vote is expected later this month or in June. Deputies at a news conference Thursday called on county officials to guarantee in writing that they will fully fund the sheriff's office law enforcement functions.

Read more: http://newsok.com/article/5631233/teachers-backing-oklahoma-county-sheriff-deputies-in-political-fight