OHP dash cam videos once again public

It was a fight between an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper and a paramedic, and the resultant blitz of media requests, that led Oklahoma to grant an exception to sunshine laws making police videos public upon request.

That practice now ends, thanks to a bill signed into law this week by Gov. Mary Fallin.

You can see the dash cam video that created the frenzy below, along with another video taken by one of the people at the scene.

There are exceptions under which the Department of Public Safety can still withhold the videos, or modify them.

For example, if a trooper is under possible disciplinary action, the videos are evidence and don't have to be released while the case is pending.

Otherwise, the videos are considered part of the public record.

Any videos showing nudity, or depicting minors, can be blurred.

The law also closes a loophole by which Turnpike Pass records were considered public.

Fallin also signed a bill that reduces the minimum age for OHP troopers from 23 to 21 years, and allows military service to substitute for part of the educational requirement for new troopers.

OHP has had a hard time recruiting because of low pay and high standards.

There are fewer than 800 troopers currently on the books.

The agency would like to have 950.

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