Tulsa County chief deputy Robinette is now acting sheriff

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Acting Tulsa County Sheriff Michelle Robinette says she wants to maintain stability in the department until a new sheriff is elected.

Robinette became acting sheriff Wednesday, a day after acting Sheriff Rick Weigel and Chief Deputy John Bowman announced their retirements.

Weigel became acting sheriff last year when Sheriff Stanley Glanz resigned after an outcry about the fatal shooting of an unarmed suspect by a reserve deputy led to a grand jury investigation and the indictment of Glanz on misdemeanor counts of refusing to perform his official duties.

Robinette said in a statement that she’ll work to implement the grand jury’s recommendations.

Robinette started with the sheriff’s office in 1995 as a jailer.

A special primary election for sheriff is March 1, and a special general election is April 5 if necessary.