CLAREMORE — District Attorney Janice Steidley has questioned a police detective’s credibility as a witness in a 2011 rape case, prompting objections from city officials and the detective, who says it could cost him his job.

Steidley recently mailed information to defense attorneys regarding Claremore Police Detective John F. Singer’s role in the rape conviction that involved the defendant admitting guilt in a videotaped interview with the detective.

Steidley says she must disclose the information because of U.S. Supreme Court rulings that force prosecutors to turn over information that could help defendants refute the credibility of government witnesses, including police.

The withheld evidence - called Giglio material in reference to a 1972 Supreme Court case - can scar a police officer’s reputation.

Singer filed a motion Tuesday in Rogers County District Court to contest Steidley’s action, saying he was “informed by his superiors that if the material is, in fact, Giglio material, his employment with the Claremore Police Department will be terminated.” City officials also filed a similar motion to intervene.

Singer and city officials are asking for a hearing before a judge to determine the validity of Steidley’s information in the rape case, which potentially could lead to appeals of convictions in other cases the District attorney Janice Steidley has questioned a police detective’s credibility as a witness in a 2011 rape case, prompting objections from city officials and the detective, who says it could cost him his job.

Steidley recently mailed information to defense attorneys regarding Claremore Police Detective John F. Singer’s role in the rape conviction that involved the defendant admitting guilt in a videotaped interview with the detective.

Steidley says she must disclose the information because of U.S. Supreme Court rulings that force prosecutors to turn over information that could help defendants refute the credibility of government witnesses, including police.

The withheld evidence - called Giglio material in reference to a 1972 Supreme Court case - can scar a police officer’s reputation.

Singer filed a motion Tuesday in Rogers County District Court to contest Steidley’s action, saying he was “informed by his superiors that if the material is, in fact, Giglio material, his employment with the Claremore Police Department will be terminated.” City officials also filed a similar motion to intervene.

Singer and city officials are asking for a hearing before a judge to determine the validity of Steidley’s information in the rape case, which potentially could lead to appeals of convictions in other cases the detective investigated.

“We’re perplexed about why these allegations have arisen 18 months after the officer’s investigation ended,” city attorney Matt Ballard said in an interview, referring to the rape case. “The city does not agree with the district attorney’s allegations. We believe this matter should be decided by a neutral judge, rather than by unilateral action of the DA’s office that will destroy a distinguished officer’s career.”

Steidley, who at first agreed to bring the matter to a judge but later changed her mind, said she has the authority to decide whether information about an officer’s credibility should be disclosed.

Judge Dynda Post has issued a gag order on the lawyers involved in the rape case, in which the defendant pled guilty.detective investigated.

“We’re perplexed about why these allegations have arisen 18 months after the officer’s investigation ended,” city attorney Matt Ballard said in an interview, referring to the rape case. “The city does not agree with the district attorney’s allegations. We believe this matter should be decided by a neutral judge, rather than by unilateral action of the DA’s office that will destroy a distinguished officer’s career.”

Steidley, who at first agreed to bring the matter to a judge but later changed her mind, said she has the authority to decide whether information about an officer’s credibility should be disclosed.

Judge Dynda Post has issued a gag order on the lawyers involved in the rape case, in which the defendant pled guilty.