Governor signs bill protecting undercover officers

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation into law that protects the confidentiality of undercover law officers.

Senate Bill 679 was authored by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, and Rep. Chris Kannady, R- Oklahoma City.

“As the former Director of the Bureau of Narcotics, I recognized the roll of the undercover, covert agent in our state is different than a uniform patrol officer. The covert officer relies upon his or her identity not being exposed,” Weaver said. “Defendants at times believe they have been deceived. They feel it’s a personal blow when they find out the person they have been dealing with is actually a law enforcement officer, so there’s a high level of resentment and hostility. This is different than the patrol officer who has the marked vehicle sitting in front of their house. This bill simply puts a layer of protection for these officers to secure their identity.”

SB 679 allows law enforcement agencies to request personal information be kept off the internet for undercover or covert officers.

That would include information like home addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses.

In order to keep that information off the web, law enforcement officials would have to obtain a court order based on a sworn affidavit by the official that the officer is undercover or covert.

“I was happy to author this bill that protects the personal information of those who are working undercover to keep our citizens and our communities safe,” Kannady said. “I’m grateful for the work these individuals perform, and I will do everything I can to help them do their job without needless worry.”