“He was in law enforcement and they protected him. I lost my business and was shamed.”

Oklahoma City, OK — In a disgusting display of misplaced priorities and blue privilege, the city of Oklahoma City is currently wrestling with an arbitration award that has reinstated a former police officer previously fired for egregious misconduct. The disgraced officer, Alonzo Fields, is not only getting his job back but is also set to receive back pay for his time spent on administrative leave. All this while the woman he victimized, a former massage therapist, has lost her livelihood and has been shamed into oblivion.

Fields, a seven-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Police Department, was fired in August 2021 following his disgraceful behavior at the now-defunct Studio 132 Massage Therapy. According to court documents, Fields had demanded a sexually associated service termed a “Nuru massage” from the therapist. When she informed him that his request was illegal and the police had been notified, Fields became aggressive and attacked the woman and her coworker, leading to the charges of Engaging in Prostitution and Assault and Battery.

Fields didn’t stop there. He attempted to obstruct the investigation into his crimes by leaving the studio after a 911 call had been made and abused his authority by accessing dispatch records related to the call while off duty. To further shield himself from accountability, he identified himself as a police officer conducting an investigation while off duty.

In the wake of these charges, the owner of Studio 132 was left in ruins. In a Facebook message to KFOR at the time, she lamented, “He was in law enforcement and they protected him. I lost my business and was shamed.” This poignant sentiment starkly contrasts with Fields’ circumstances who, instead of facing the repercussions of his actions, will return to the police department with full back pay.

Despite admitting to ten of the allegations leveled against him, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123 successfully grieved his termination. The arbitrator’s decision to reinstate him, made in April 2023, now leaves the city to contest the award on the grounds that it violates city and state policies since Fields admitted to his wrongdoing and misconduct.

“Sgt. Fields’ actions demonstrated a complete lack of integrity, constitute a willful and wanton disregard for the Oklahoma City Police Department’s core values, and they destroy community trust in the police department,” OKCPD Chief Wade Gourley said in a letter.

Sadly, instead of being held accountable, Fields has been protected by a system that places its reputation above justice. Meanwhile, the public continues to be at risk, as even officers who flagrantly violate the law can retain their positions and reputation while their victims suffer in silence. It’s a harrowing reality and a clear indication that changes must be made.

Article posted with permission from Matt Agorist