A police captain with the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) was filmed repeatedly asking a police department sergeant to turn off his body camera during a DUI stop.
On March 12, Captain James “Matt” French of the OKCPD’s homicide investigation team was pulled over by Sergeant Chris Skinner on suspicion of drunk driving.
Skinner stopped French at around 1:30 a.m. after the captain was allegedly spotted swerving, accelerating and not using his turn signals.
Captain James “Matt” French of the Oklahoma City Police Department’s Homicide Unit was pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. (Oklahoma City Police Department)
In the video, French appears to open his car door before the sergeant approaches.
“Get back in your vehicle,” Sgt. Skinner says.
“Me,” French begins to say.
“Drunk?” Skinner suggests.
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Skinner said French’s eyes watered and his speech was slurred during the exchange. Body camera footage shows the police captain telling police officers he is the captain and repeatedly telling the officer from the same police department to turn off his body camera.
“I’m a police captain,” French said.
“Which police station?” Skinner answers.
“Oklahoma City. Turn off your camera,” orders the captain.
Body camera footage shows the captain making sure the officer knows he is “a police department captain” and repeatedly asking Skinner to turn his camera off. (Oklahoma City Police Department)
Despite the captain’s repeated demands, Skinner never wavered and refused to turn off his camera.
“Sir, can I…can you turn this off?” French asked the officer again. “I’m asking you. I’m a captain in the police force.”
“I don’t care if you’re a gangbanger or the President of the United States,” Skinner replies. “If I treated you any differently than a South Side Loco or a pedophile, how about me?”
“I don’t care if you’re a gangbanger or the President of the United States”
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During the police officer exchange, Skinner repeatedly asked French how many drinks he’d had during the evening. Eventually, French said he was playing a game of poker and had “three or maybe four beers.”
The officer asked French if he thought it wise to get behind the wheel after drinking.
“No, but I’m from four blocks [away]’ French said before beginning a field sobriety test.
Oklahoma City Police Department Captain James “Matt” French told Sergeant Chris Skinner that he walked out of a poker game he had been in hours earlier and had “three or four” beers. (Oklahoma City Police Department)
As he struggled to keep his balance, the Captain begged Skinner to “please” turn off the body cam.
“I know you’re aware of our bodycam policy,” Skinner replied. “You know I can’t turn off that body cam.”
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“I do, but I’d like to speak to you,” French told the officer.
“I’m a sergeant and I’m sworn to uphold the law. Still, I don’t favor anyone,” the officer told French.
“I’m a sergeant and I’m sworn to uphold the law. I still don’t favor anyone.”
French: “Are you going to arrest me, sir?”
Sergeant Skinner: “Yes, I am.”
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French was arrested and sent to the Oklahoma County Detention Center. The captain has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
Sarah Rumpf is a writer on Fox News Digital’s breaking news team. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc