Criminal charges were filed against an Owasso police officer who’s been on administrative leave while under investigation for excessive force.
Friday, Officer Mike Denton was charged with assault and battery with and deadly weapon and reckless conduct with a firearm.
According to court documents, on June 14, 2015, Denton hit Cody Mathews with a shotgun.
Owasso Police have released this statement:
“Lieutenant Mike Denton was placed on administrative leave when the excessive force allegation came to light in June 2015 and he remains on administrative leave as of this date, pending the completion of the internal investigation.
The Owasso Police Department was aware of the independent criminal investigation being conducted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations and the resulting criminal charges that were filed in Nowata County this week. Although this agency was not involved in the criminal investigation or the charging decisions, we are taking that development seriously and it will be considered as part of the ongoing administrative process.
Because the internal investigation and administrative/disciplinary processes are still ongoing and because the criminal investigation was not conducted by the Owasso Police Department, it would be inappropriate for this agency to make any additional comments at this time. Please direct inquiries to the Nowata County District Attorney’s Office or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation”
