Alleged Police Brutality Spurs Owasso Outrage
The Owasso city council viewed videos of the
intake of Bryan Spradlin during his arrest process on June 30, 2011.
Four specific instances of physical
interaction were noted. The first was when Lt. Denton's foot appears to be
placed on the head of Mr. Spradlin while Spradlin was on the ground. In the
second instance, officials commented that it appeared as if Lt. Denton was
trying to swing Mr. Spradlin into a metal drainage pipe. In the third instance,
Mr. Spradlin is on his stomach while his arms are being pulled up from behind
him. There were gasps in the council chambers when this was being shown. In the
fourth instance, Lt. Denton elbows Mr. Spradlin in the head three times.
The city fired Lt. Denton after the
incident, but an arbitrator ruled that he should be reinstated. After viewing
the videos, the council is looking to appeal the arbitrator's decision and have
Lt. Denton fired once again.