King of the County: The Power of Sheriffs | CBS Reports

[@elohi]

My husband was a deputy for the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Department in 2020/2021 and it didn’t take him long to realize how corrupt it was and when they tried pressuring him to do certain things, he quit. Best decision ever. This makes me sick. There’s too many bad and not enough of the good to boot them out.

[@jwells3315]

Try Pushmataha County it's no better! Sheriff B.J. Hedgecock does NOTHING to stop the drug epidemic.

[@dmgjr]

would he be willing to speak to someone about his experiences and what he observed there?

[@ONE1BEAT]

Report to DOJ

[@twelvethrower24]

@@ONE1BEAT Exactly, this report anything criminal to the DOJ civil rights division if possible and safe to do!!!

[@ropeysubstance1719]

now tell us how you feel about violent criminals and gang members who terrorize communities? or is it just the cops you hate?

[@Bob-wg1tn]

This wasn't long enough, need a 2 hour special

[@carolinechew2432]

Extremely well done wasn’t it?!?

[@wesleybender5931]

CBS is running this story so Biden can nationalize local police departments.

[@Marvin.45]

I'd agree

[@Anna_Nimmitty]

I Mean Really!!!

[@holdingcopsaccountable6554]

Absolutely right.

[@chrisjames3087]

I went to high school in Tulsa with a guy that's now a Deputy Sheriff. He was the biggest bully in school, always picking on people. He's huge, at least 6' 3" and 300lbs. His entire existence was predicated on hurting people. There's no way he should have a badge.

[@SirNic4180]

But your community lies about crime thus enabling the police. So stop crying.

[@ONE1BEAT]

Report to DoJ

[@akllls617]

@@ONE1BEAThey doj I just want to report that the current sheriff use to bully me when we were kids

[@fester5228]

​@@ONE1BEAT You're funny! LMAO!

[@johndilliner7232]

​@ONE1BEAT and tell them what exactly? He hasn't done anything to report, so good luck lol

[@mscnhou1]

I live in Texas and the small town corruption is completely out of control.

[@jp13119]

I think it's like that Everywhere in the US since trump. They are above the law.🇺🇸

[@j.e.bennett2997]

Not many have the balls to report on this

[@Goodkidjr43]

We can always trust CBS News.....................

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

@@Goodkidjr43sponsored by phyzer?

[@wesleybender5931]

CBS is government propaganda, Democrats want to get rid of local law enforcement. Sheriffs are elected, you want Biden in control of police?

[@radiogal67]

@@Goodkidjr43 On this, YOU CAN. I still get calls from whistleblowers in the department who knew I would try to help. God Bless them because several were accused of talking to reporters, and were fired.

[@farzana6676]

​@@radiogal67 MSM hate Sherrif departments because they're not beholden to Democrat politicians in the cities. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Anne-po99]

And they wonder why people are angry at law enforcement

[@volkerhaiges1205]

When you get policed by guys who are more criminal then criminals.

[@TheeJosephSantos]

I've met crooked cops, and outright criminals. There is no difference. They're all thugs on the street before they're cops.

[@timkinley1779]

Than.

[@jarrodshelton8707]

It’s crazy seeing this. I started my law enforcement career working at the McCurtain County Jail before getting on as a reserve deputy with them and eventually ending up at the Idabel Police Department. I worked with Clardy before he was Sheriff. I always liked him and never would have expected seeing this from him. I ended up moving out of Southeast Oklahoma and continuing my law enforcement career but I have to say, some of the craziest “good ole boy” stuff I ever witnessed were in that county. It’s most of the reason I decided to get out of that profession because there’s too much cover up. McCurtain County law enforcement are a different breed and not in a good way. I’m ashamed to admit I was affiliated with them.

[@curvyblue2843]

At least you were smart enough to get out.

[@jwells3315]

Now I live in Pushmataha county...... HUGE MISTAKE cause I'm not from Oklahoma.

[@Sureshots.]

Your ashamed? You posted it online where everyone can see it forever. Even if you deleted the post there are still screen shots. Where do you live now?

[@jarrodshelton8707]

@@Sureshots. Yeah I moved on. You should try it.

[@toomanydonuts]

@@jarrodshelton8707 "Yeah I moved on. You should try it." 🤣🤣🤣

[@jeremyrude6883]

Its time that police are held accountable for the actions they have. Stop making tax payers foot the bill

[@dmo848]

That's all we ask n yet I wonder how many more will have to fall until this is into play

[@Manliadon]

If you report a crime on a Sherrif Dept's contact form, will they get back to you soon?

[@islandbirdw]

Justifies people fearing the police IMO.

[@LauraDeramus-wy6lo]

My brother Curt Peavy been missing from down there since 2017. Not a safe place.

[@lylehoanshelt179]

Can't trust tyrants with badges and guns

[@williamshaw5388]

That is the truth.

[@HenryAndersen]

Elected law enforcement officials belongs to another time, and age. Law enforcement requires PROFESSIONAL, EDUCATED law enforcement officers. And not the head of the high school football team voted in as "the man". Nobody elects a "Sheriff" anywhere in the Western World unless it is for a honorary position. Law enforcement requires DOJ, State, and Federal oversight. And "Internal Affairs".

[@duanejackson6718]

​@@HenryAndersen the doj is the United States justice department, didn't you notice they interviewed him as well and he ain't doing nothing about it either. If you're thinking the Federal system is less corrupt than County and State I think you're sorely mistaken. When America wakes up and realizes government is not going to save them from government the world will be a better place.

[@fester5228]

​@HenryAndersen All those safeguards you mentioned are like rainbows and unicorns. They only exist in a fantasy world.

[@joeblow5214]

@@HenryAndersen Lol, then you get the DoJ who will let mass shooters do their thing, and will abuse peoples rights on a political whim, whom are as you put it Professional and Educated requiring a college degree. Uvalde was a appointed Police Chief that led to that incident, CPD and all those scandals, appointed. Don't get me started on accreditation scams like CALEA who do nothing and those departments still get corruption. Maybe if you recruited better candidates, oh that's right, you have to recruit from your community or you are racist. This sheriff was elected the county seemed fine with all of this, you seem to really love democracy, that is until they don't vote your way.

[@BirdDogey1]

Every elected position is filled by the quality of people available in that jurisdiction.

[@radiogal67]

Also the disinterest by voters to show up. This county has a pretty low, 33,000 or so, permanent residents. Go back and see how many show up to vote. I'll be following campaign contributions for all of these "Public servants".

[@jaycreasey]

Corrupt police in Oklahoma oh my God really😢 been that way for years😮 I'd go three states on my way just to avoid Oklahoma 😢 a corrupt state

[@shanewoods1980]

Law enforcement says it’s “suspicious” when a pesky citizen gets an attorney and follows the instructions of the attorney…….SO……………🤔🤔

[@DAClechat]

The media makes sovereign citizens into “terrorists” yet they are the people who understand their rights and the constitution

[@Crazyatheist]

As a child I was taught to respect law enforcement, and if I was ever in trouble to trust them, and now as a senior citizen, I don't trust law enforcement. I believe that ALL law enforcement agencies in the United States are corrupt. I no longer have ANY respect for ANY law enforcement agency or the officers in those agencies. The law enforcement agencies, and the officers in them, have only themselves to blame for the loss of respect from the citizens of the United States. This situation will continue to exist until we get rid of qualified immunity.

[@dmo848]

Your not wrong, I was raised the same. I could remember waving and having conversations with police. Now I'm afraid to even see them, cause I know something about to go down.😢 is sad really

[@farzana6676]

Lol, all law enforcement is corrupt? 😂😂😂 You've been brainwashed by the media.

[@bonner-roush7022]

No truer words have been spoken since my grandfather walked the planet. Is Qualified Immunity, code for The Union or Teamsters? We The People are watching

[@AspenAndrews-d3x]

Small town corruption is some of the most dangerous kind because they make an example out of people to shut the rest of the town up or everyone just collectively decides to not address whatever horrible things they do

[@farzana6676]

Easy. You can vote out a sherriff.

[@atticus-iz7iw]

imho it is a HUGE problem that the U.S. elect sheriffs, judges, coroners-without-medical-degrees.

[@chaparra71]

A “huge problem”? I’d MUCH rather have them elected!

[@atticus-iz7iw]

@@chaparra71 I respect your opinion, however, I have found that electing these law and government officials simply throws much more fuel on the fire because politics now adds the potential for even more problems.

[@farzana6676]

​@atticus-iz7iw No we are very happy to elect our Sherrifs. Sherrif Grady Judd and some of our best sherrifs are elected. The reason the MSM hates elected Sherrifs is because they are not answerable to Democrats politicians and Democrat policies in the big cities.

[@weston.weston]

This is much needed reporting, so grateful to see this effort.

[@romanz3423]

Yes

[@atticus-iz7iw]

How is this acceptable to any U.S. citizen??????

[@romanz3423]

Exactly...why aren't they doing something about this?

[@Independent-Journalist-Union]

​@@romanz3423They is we, why aren't we doing anything?

[@phukrnd840]

that's the best we can do.. if they weren't they wouldn't be elected and re elected...

[@romanz3423]

@@Independent-Journalist-Union We, they, them...why isn't something being done about it?

[@romanz3423]

@@phukrnd840 End qualified immunity!!!

[@wheressteve]

Qualified immunity protects them and endangers us.

[@viking956]

Well qualified immunity only protects them from civil lawsuit. There is NO immunity protecting cops who commit crimes. We just have to have prosecutors with the stones to bring a case.

[@onion6foot]

It also DEFIES equality under the law and our rights.

[@chrisbowers5498]

100% hicks

[@dushooter]

Well said. Need to make the QUALIFIED IMPUNITY go away. Tyrants get away with any crime with that.

[@Augustus_McCrae]

@@dushooter So you're okay with doing away with the "self defense" defense?

[@0-Elias-0]

Adam Yamaguchi comes up with some of CBS' best investigative reports. It's really important for us all to remain vigilant of (or - at least - be knowledgeable of) the abuses of power that our governments permit.

[@romanz3423]

Yes

[@KushiteComplex]

"A new lawsuit describes a violent gang in LA County. Its members are deputy sheriffs." ~Vox, Oct. 11, 2019.

[@orionhauk2968]

This explains a lot. I tried to get the sheriff's office of my hometown to look at the death of my attorney on a Friday after he said he had information about someone and would give it to me on Monday. They told me they have no records because they had a flood in the basement and those were destroyed.

[@paullunsford8831]

A flood wouldn't do it !

[@Wendholver]

Look at how nervous they get at 16:22 watch the body language sicking

[@CountryRaod]

These are what our ancestors warns us about.

[@phakeAccount]

The people of this county need to take this matter into their own hands because the judicial/executive/legislative system isn't take it into their hands.

[@dmo848]

This is all of the USA. You just might not realize it

[@nettyfoo]

I was born and raised there. All my family is there. They have their own laws. They go by the "good ole boy" laws. They do what they want. Ask about Aaron victory, Alyssa Walker and many more.

[@han2868]

JUSTICE FOR ALYSSA!

[@romanz3423]

Great reporting. Keep up the good work and maybe we'll see some change.

[@tmn8547]

Is there a longer episode somewhere? I’m glad people are investigating them. Abuse of power.

[@tevincampbell391]

It’s crazy when you’re from this county 😮‍💨🤣

[@radiogal67]

The Oklahoma Sheriff's Association cut ties with Sheriff CLARDY almost immediately. Just for context.

[@neallawson7112]

The Oklahoma sheriff's association is no better than the fraternal order of police, both should be disbanded!

[@radiogal67]

@@neallawson7112 Didn't say they were.

[@tothelighthouse9843]

It feels like a sundown town. There's no lawlessness quite like a lawman's lawlessness.

[@jimosborne2]

The judges and the courts either are in on this activity with the Sheriff or willfully ignorant of what is going on. The Sheriff officers are in the courts full time on a daily basis.

[@curvyblue2843]

Judges are corrupt.

[@cvp2000]

Long time resident of a small town under the reign of county sheriff's office. I concur with this piece, in that corruption is rampant.

[@hansblitz7770]

Actual reporting? I'm proud of you, based Japanese Chad.

[@jimmieblue6262]

This is in Every small town.

[@jefffrompnw129]

End qualified immunity

[@romanz3423]

Yes

[@Survivorgirl2019]

Finally somebody says something smart that's exactly what has to happen

[@ozark1981]

Baxter County AR chained and beaten my dad in the late 90's. Benny Magnus ran the area for decades, and pretty much still does.

[@Head00Busta]

This has been out for a month and has less than 200K views? The algorithm needs to start pumping this out to more people!!!

[@Freddieduda]

Good grief, this is truly frightening.

[@romanz3423]

And this is in the US.

[@Mike-gc9ih]

I am 68 and have never been in trouble but I do not trust law enforcement. I would never answer anything they would ask me if I didn't have a lawyer on the phone.

[@sb5064]

The fact that this only has 119k views is sad. This should be viral.

[@Zorazora1234]

University of Oklahoma tried to recruit me for grad school .. I said no way … I know their history

[@Miliblock]

This has been going on a long time and still is. We know the stories that were told years ago, besides what media has been revealing over time. Doesn't scratch the surface.

[@jimsimonetti2929]

incredible reporting

[@llTorentll]

We need an organization that will accurately/ honestly investigate all policing departments in the U.S. - starting now

[@heathergittings1191]

My PopPop was a U.S. Marshal I love him very much may he rip. As a result I had enormous respect for law enforcement most of my life. If he were alive today I know he would be totally supportive of not speaking to police w/out a lawyer which is exactly what I instruct my young sons to do, ask for a lawyer. Full stop.

[@joshuastittshall8688]

This thing needs 50M Views, not 120k.

[@Cdiddy150]

Just a quick update to save you the search: Kevin Clardy was defeated for re-election in a three way race as of June 19th. He received 399 Votes for 18% of the vote and finished third.

[@KushiteComplex]

"The L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy-Gang Crisis." ~New Yorker, May 30, 2022.

[@Tiri.4Justice]

More of this type of coverage.

[@romanz3423]

Yes

[@dianahill5116]

Sheriffs have been known to "gaslight" a situation. Kern County sheriffs, California.

[@ricksturdevant2901]

I was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and lived there many years before I moved to San Diego, and @ME-rr8ym you are very correct. As a kid, I definitely saw ILLEGAL stuff covered up by law enforcement. Quite a few times.

[@SonoftheWars]

I lived in Taft and was constantly harassed and locked up because I was with a judge's daughter.

[@misspm8157]

ABSOLUTE POWER ABSOLUTELY CORRUPTS. MUST HAVE OVERSIGHT N ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ACTIONS.

[@ONE1BEAT]

Absolutely 👍

[@dee6524]

WOW, TO MUCH POWER, THAT'S WHY THEY/ THEM DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ALL THIS POWER, ON THIS WICKED EARTH. THEY GET TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO WHO EVER, WITH NO CONSEQUENCES. IT'S DISGUSTING

[@StrongmanSRT]

Thank you !!!

[@suebowers6698]

Scary, very scarey!

[@COPOklaoma]

You can do a whole other series on Johnston County Oklahoma... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaXTqpKvZc-rqck

[@580pusher5]

Bryan and Atoka county too

[@huntinfool4759]

Don't like the Sheriff, elect a new one. Its that simple people.

[@killa-k420]

Look in to St. Francois County, Missouri. Where 30 years of records just went “missing” after Sunshine Law requests were submitted.

[@thephreshkid1]

This is scary man

[@shockerthreeone]

This was good reporting. Thank you!

[@seekerSILENCIO]

This is my ancestral home, Little Dixie. What does one do when they can not turn to Deputies or Law Enforcers are either A. The Problem B. Too inept to handle the situation. Claridy and the gang that follows him should be held to a federal standard. These are the individuals that have vowed by honesty and integrity. What is represented in McCurtain County Department is opposite of justice. Even down to the evidence room, evidence come, goes or is destroyed. Imagine the irony of being jailed by said evidence but not knowing exactly what is represented by. The bad guys are set up to fail. No one escapes justice. Claridy and the gang of Racists are on numbered days. Justice will come find you. Then you will know who is cutting you down.

[@donaldscobie8455]

The LA Sheriff's dept is a collection of criminal gangs, what other Sheriffs are also set up with gangs?

[@satelitemikedatapro2498]

Sheriff’s and marshals are uniquely American problems

[@don5062]

"They haven't asked us anything" - Undersheriff as he comes out of the Sheriff's office where you can't even get in unless they specifically buzz you into their "public" building.

[@Woke365]

This deserves an award.

[@romanz3423]

Yes

[@JasenFromBoston]

if this is what they do in plain sight, it must be a literal nightmare living there.

[@jeffclark5268]

WV, GE, and now OK. Nope. Not stepping foot in ‘em. Like third world countries.

[@JamesKonzek-xr5zy]

I could write an award winning, critically acclaimed 1000 page thesis paper on this.

[@mikeyj9607]

That McCurtain County Sheriff lost his relection ,the people of that county spoke

[@benfranklin1770]

They are " touchable " The governor can change police policy, rules anf protocol in any state!!

[@johndilliner7232]

Our Sheriff in Wagoner County , Chris Elliott, assaulted a female inmate in the jail, then ordered the video be deleted. A staff member used their cell phone to capture it, then it wound up on KZbin, where anyone can watch it. FBI was notified and chose to do nothing.

[@rebeccamay3076]

My husband grew up in Wagoner, when189 bodies were dumped in our town of penrose Colorado, the mortician ran back to Wagoner. Amazed me.

[@christiananderson3397]

Why can't a state entity rescind an officer's, a deputy's or Sheriff's individual law enforcement license to operate in any part of it's state? ..or even someway through the Civil courts?

[@carolinechew2432]

Just so gut wrenching and depressing.

[@tomsummer5336]

Can the FBI not investigate

[@welhari6181]

They don't want to, because to many cases might be overturned! So no they WON'T!

[@welhari6181]

I went to the FBI,and brought it to their intention that a crooked county female court clerk that told the individual that I had kids with that her so called statement against me sounded like she started the incident, so the corrupt county court clerk told her to rewrite the complaint, so they tore up the original complaint and wrote totally different statement, got back with the individual that I had children with 3 weeks later, so I could be around my children,NOT HER, and she told me right out of her own mouth in her words what had happened, I was furious, so I went to FBI stated what occurred, FBI said they couldn't do anything, straight out DIRTY, because a bunch of cases that she was involved with would most likely be overturned! CORRUPT HAS IT GETS!

[@jillstmichaels8708]

Sadly, they're pretty dirty, too!!

[@chaparra71]

The FBI?! Talk about a CORRUPT agency!!! What the heck! You can’t be serious!

[@logancoffee7193]

​@@welhari6181if only your comment made any sense ar all.

[@tva475]

it's by design; systematic

[@Survivorgirl2019]

They have to do something about the qualified immunity doctrine

[@seycheles27]

Best country in the world, eh?

[@jwells3315]

FOLKLAHOMA IS ITS OWN COUNTRY! SAD! AND EVIL!

[@romanz3423]

Used to be.

[@TrueThatTucson]

When?

[@nenaj8053]

terrifying

[@bennygarcia7786]

Another reason its hard to remove a sitting sheriff is, is because their an elected official

[@sgtpepperz25]

Oh yeah, we need better oversight of our government servants...

[@joshuastittshall8688]

2:01 ah yes the back of Wade Houghtons Squad car on (OUTSIDERS) Blackburg/Crockett County Kentucky Sheriff's department.

[@holtzlander]

Its not that they think they are above the law. They think they ARE the law.

[@AHOOSIER]

PEOPLE... MAKE A CHANGE... Stop running your mouth and run for office!

[@adamc827]

What do you do when the constituents believe in the same thing as the sheriff? These politicians blamed the state AG for implying there wasn’t a crime, but the citizens heard the tapes. Most in the comments fail to realize a lot of people don’t care what takes place as they have the same view points as Sheriff and county commissioners do. I personally think it’s sad that we allow this to happen, but it is what it is.

[@mikeb3106]

Maybe I missed it. Did CBS make a news story about county district attorneys and the incredible power they have?

[@serenacarr2058]

Wow, this is not a good look How do people not know that everything is recorded now?

[@Wizznilliam]

Obviously they know. And don't care. Still nothing is happening to them except tax money being handed over to their victims after lawsuits.

[@StrongmanSRT]

This video is saving lives ..cops and civilians alike

[@doubleoseven273]

Paints the good work sheriffs do in a bad light, not accurate reporting, isolated incidents only reported on

[@kristinel6352]

We had a sheriff who only showed up to work one,day a year. Collected full salary and benefits. Legally, he was,right only had to work one day a year. Deputy sheriff was the one who truly ran the department.

[@1MiketheMechanic]

We investigated ourselves and found nothing wrong.

[@richardbrice9286]

THIS CAN BE SAID ABOUT EVERY COUNTY/PARISH IN AMERICA. AND THEY ARE RIGHT THAT NOONE WILL QUESTION THEIR WORD. IT TAKES A VERY BAD CRIME TO GET ANYTHING LOOKED INTO. SHOULD NOT BE THIS WAY.

[@honestly1970]

Remember the civil rights movement. This has happened since forever. we need more transparency in law enforcement. we need to remove qualified immunity. we need to press charges against criminals with badges.

[@gailvictory2291]

Please help Southeastern Oklahoma please even one of the guys on this interview is corrupt! Sat there acting like we do not all remember him! Wow!!

[@lindseyyoung9149]

Which one??

[@gailvictory2291]

@@lindseyyoung9149 if you do not know it will be best for me to shut up now.

[@TheGreatGatsbyUSA]

Justice in America is not blind. It is based on human emotion - not law; one reason we have sentence deviation for the same crime.

[@gunny7769]

16:03 thats actually an insane statement by a law enforcement officer... "ireally dont care....what SOMEBODY IS ACCUSING SOMEBODY OF R ANYTHING ELSE" what ???? isnt ur job to INVESTIGATE CRIMES REPORTED BY CIVILIANS THAT YOUUUU WORKK FOR ??!! like what is going on here....? holy shyttt thats insssane

[@earnesthillsdale9218]

And they claim to hate law breakers with no regard. But who is policing who .

[@adammcgirt7123]

Most county sheriff's offices could be classified as criminal organizations

[@AndrewOldacre-o7u]

Sometimes America can be so sad

[@notapplicable761]

16:03 “I really don’t care what somebodies accusing somebody of, or anything else.” That’s all I needed to hear!

[@bryanmyers4856]

How can we progress in a society where people have jobs that takes and act of congress to them fired. Lord knows I don’t even like driving through Oklahoma.