My child was unjustly put into foster care due to the negligence and misconduct of a Child Protective Services (CPS) worker from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). The CPS worker disregarded protocol, allowing a police officer to coerce and intimidate me into making false statements about drug use. This worker failed to thoroughly investigate the allegations and instead, enabled the officer to threaten me with jail for obstruction. She witnessed him use fear and intimidation tactics, yet chose to report half-truths to the court.

This situation could have been avoided if CPS and permanency workers were required to wear body cameras. The use of body cameras would provide an objective account of interactions and ensure transparency and accountability, protecting both the involved families and the workers. Adopting body camera requirements would prevent false reports and allow for proper review of case handling, helping ensure that children are not unnecessarily separated from their families.

Body cameras have been shown to decrease incidents of misconduct and improve professionalism among law enforcement officers. According to a study by the University of Cambridge, police officers equipped with body cameras received 93% fewer complaints from the public. Implementing a similar policy for CPS and permanency workers is a practical step toward fairness and accountability.

We must urge the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and relevant lawmakers to take immediate action. By requiring body cameras for all CPS and permanency workers, we can safeguard the integrity of child protection services, foster trust in the system, and most importantly, prevent wrongful actions that can lead to unjust family separations.

Please sign this petition to demand the implementation of mandatory body camera use for all OKDHS CPS and permanency workers. This change is crucial for the protection and assurance of both families and social workers alike.