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Several media outlets have reported the names of as many as 27
current and former officers that have appeared in leaked
membership records of the Oath Keepers, a group federal
authorities have argued played a pivotal role in the Jan. 6,
2021, protests at the U.S. Capitol.
Snelling recently defended not taking disciplinary action
against the officers, noting the probe into the officers’
association started before Jan. 6, 2021.
Witzburg said the IG’s office has concerns.
“The department has taken the position that membership in these
groups does not constitute a rule violation. I disagree,”
Witzburg told The Center Square. “We will also have more to say
on the larger issue of how the city and the police department
are handling allegations of association with extremist groups.”
In times past, Witzburg said the inspector general’s office has
studied similar cases where officers were alleged to have
extremist group ties and found investigations in some way to
have been deficient.
“I certainly think this is an issue which the city should
urgently attend to if we are serious about fostering trust in
the police department and improving the quality of the
relationship between the police department and the community it
serves,” Witzburg added.
As part of CPD’s initial probe, officers in question told the
department that they joined the Oath Keepers for training before
they were aware of the group’s controversial reputation.
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