Oklahoma NAACP calls for federal investigation into officer accused of sexually assaulting Black women

The president of the Oklahoma NAACP wants the U.S. attorney general to launch a hate crimes and civil rights investigation into allegations that an Oklahoma City police officer sexually assaulted several Black women.

Oklahoma NAACP President Anthony Douglas made the request in a letter to then-Attorney General Eric Holder, detailing the allegations against Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw.

Holtzclaw, 27, was arrested Aug. 21, 2014, and accused of sexually assaulting several Black women between February and June while patrolling the city’s northeast side.

According to KOCO 5 News, Douglas urged federal authorities to investigate whether the alleged assaults constituted hate crimes or civil rights violations.

Police said at least eight women had reported alleged assaults.

NAACP Raises Concerns About Police Misconduct

In his letter to Holder, Douglas wrote that details of the allegations against Holtzclaw “raise potentially serious concerns, particularly because it may be part of a continuing pattern of police brutality, misconduct, corruption and the use of excessive force and the use of deadly force by this police officer against unarmed African Americans.”

Douglas applauded Oklahoma City police for investigating the allegations and arresting Holtzclaw.

However, he hoped federal officials would expand the investigation to examine potential civil rights violations.

He also urged authorities to investigate more than Holtzclaw’s case, calling for a review of “the potential for any pattern or practice of police misconduct by the Oklahoma City Police Department.”

Officer Faces 16 Felony Charges

Holtzclaw faced 16 felony charges, including two counts of first-degree rape, four counts of sexual battery and four counts of forcible oral sodomy.

Prosecutors also charged him with four counts of indecent exposure, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of stalking.

Holtzclaw remained under house arrest after authorities released him on bail.