JUSTICE CHAMPIONS AND AN HISTORIC ELECTION
The CJAC stands on the shoulders of numerous “Justice Champions” that served and toiled on previous commissions, taskforces, and working groups for more than a decade. More specifically, the CJAC is a continuation of the Greater OKC Chamber Criminal Justice Task Force. Since the majority of CJAC members are appointed or elected officials, the makeup of the 19 members fluctuates from year to year. In addition to the 19 CJAC Members, numerous valued partners serve to enhance CJAC’s objectives. In FY21, three such “Justice Champions” changed roles but are still involved as valued partners. The Founding Chair of the OK County Criminal Justice Authority (aka Jail Trust Authority) Tricia Everest stepped down to take the role of Cabinet Secretary of Public Safety in Governor Stitt’s Cabinet. As Founding Chair, Everest led the
solve one of the problems identified by the Vera Institute in their 2nd Recommendation: Keep those charged with lower-level offenses (including municipal charges) out of the jail entirely. Clabes, Everest and Burton brought innovation, commitment, and perseverance to their roles partnering with CJAC and to their work to advance county justice system reforms. Fortunately, in their new roles, CJAC will continue to interact with them. The CJAC and community expresses its deepest appreciation for their important service. Their insight and hard work can be seen all over the progress being made in our county toward more fair and effective justice. Elections also impact CJAC members as occurred
Clabes, Everest and Burton brought innovation, commitment, and perseverance to their roles partnering with CJAC and to their work to advance county justice system reforms. The CJAC and community expresses its deepest appreciation for their important service.
Trust Authority through the transition from theoretical trust to operational launch on July 1, 2020 and initial management in the Trust’s first months. New OK County Special Judge Catherine “Catt” Burton was most recently a team leader in the office of OK County District Attorney David Prater, leading diversion programs and
with the November 2020 election. In a historic turn of events, OK County voters elected the first African- American sheriff, Tommie Johnson III. Sheriff Johnson’s term started in January 2021 and has been an active CJAC Member from the first day. During his campaign, Sheriff Johnson told a story of what
motivated his interest in running. As a young police officer, Johnson made a routine traffic stop of a woman who had a warrant for an unpaid ticket. He arrested her, impounded her car and took her to post bond. Johnson said, ‘By the book, I was a good cop that day, I did my job, but I didn’t feel like a good cop that day.” Johnson explained that he hadn’t removed a violent criminal from the streets or made someone’s life better. He became a police officer to help others but that mission didn’t feel accomplished. “I just kept thinking that the old way is flawed,” Johnson said. As Sheriff, Johnson hopes to rethink some of the tenets of the criminal justice system and modernize an agency with new levels of transparency and investment. His four pillars for his administration are: Safer Communities; Fiscal Responsibility; Partnerships; and Progress.
treatment courts since Jan. 2, 2007. In her role as a team leader, she worked closely with CJAC and before on the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s Criminal Justice Task Force. Now as a special judge, Judge Burton continues her work on diversion and treatment as judge over Mental Health Court. New CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training) Executive Director Brandon Clabes most recently served as Chief of Police for CJAC Interlocal Partner Midwest City. In his role as Chief for more than 20 years, Clabes served the people by piloting efforts for community-based policing, a community advisory board, and adding a mental health and substance abuse clinician to help incarcerated residents get their lives back on track. Former Chief Clabes’ reforms at the municipal level helped
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