Omaha Updates Policies, Adds Training After Recent Protests
As part of a series of modest police reforms brought about by recent protests, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announced that the Citizen Complaint Review Board will release an annual public report identifying basic information about officer complaints.
Citizens will also now be able to file their officer complaints directly to the board instead of through the Omaha Police Department. Stothert said these steps will help in creating a more transparent system.
“A citizen-led board provides an independent review of complaints against officers,” Stothert said in a news release. “We agree with suggestions that the results should be more transparent, so we will make the changes we can without compromising confidential personnel details.”
Police Chief Todd Schmaderer announced the department will make changes to its use of force policy. Most notably, the knee to neck pin – the tactic that killed George Floyd in Minneapolis – is forbidden.
Omaha police haven’t been trained to use the knee pin, but it was not explicitly off limits in the department’s policies. The department also has an existing ban on chokeholds, although it still allows a carotid restraint control hold, which aims to have a person pass out due to lack of blood flow to the brain. OPD will still allow the hold in situations where an officer is being attacked or threatened by deadly force.
Beginning in July, all officers will be ordered to complete a new and mandatory training program. The trainings will include Taser re-certification, an explanation of changes in the use of force policies, information on the impacts of biased policing and a case review of Floyd’s in-custody death.
Police officers also will be required and expected to intervene and report if another officer violates policy.
“We want to be a part of listening and reform,” Schmaderer said.
Schmaderer said the city reduced its officer-involved shootings in recent years by deploying body cameras, using Tasers, increased training and sending mental health practitioners on calls when appropriate.
In addition to the police reforms, Stothert plans to hire a diversity and inclusion manager and form two new boards with the aim of establishing a strategic plan to promote diversity and inclusion. Mandatory bias training will also be required for city employees.
“It will take all of us working together to achieve positive change,” Stothert said. “Can we do better? Of course, we always strive to do better.You aren’t handed trust, you earn it. These are our first steps, there will be others.”
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