Overview
- Police leaders opened an internal investigation and placed involved officers on administrative leave after radio audio exposed an April Fools' hoax relayed over Oklahoma City dispatch channels.
- During a pursuit on April 1, dispatchers broadcast an officer’s message that a suspect had thrown a baby from a vehicle, then later announced it was a prank.
- The officer in the purported chase was sending locations by message rather than radio, which prompted more units to respond before a supervisor ended the pursuit.
- Oklahoma Highway Patrol asked if help was needed and Oklahoma City Fire Department’s Engine 19 was sent to a reported “man down” at 3200 South Robinson, illustrating how false reports can divert crews.
- State law makes knowingly false information that triggers an emergency response a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 and possible repayment of response costs, and the department has not said how many officers are on leave.