Omaha Police Would ‘Welcome’ Federal Investigation
Accused of widespread brutality and ”patterns” of abuse, the Omaha Police Department insists it would welcome a federal investigation.
“We have internal policies and procedures in place…to address policy and procedural violations,” OPD says in a statement to Nebraska Watchdog.
Armed with video of a black man allegedly being “beaten” by police along with eight other cases of possible misconduct and brutality, Omahans for Justice Alliance and the American Civil Liberties Union have called on the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a civil rights investigation.
At the top of the list is last year’s arrest of 35-year-old Robert Wagner. Nearly a dozen officers are seen on tape kicking and tasering Wagner in a hospital parking lot.
According to OPD, “Some of the noted cases have previously been reviewed or are in the process of being reviewed by the Justice Department through the local FBI office.”
OPD’s critics believe they have a strong case because in addition to Wagner’s “caught on tape” incident, OPD has been “without any independent citizen oversight” since 2006 when Public Safety Auditor Tristan Bonn was fired.
Former State Sen. Ernie Chambers, who says he’s filed numerous criminal complaints against OPD which fell on deaf ears, believes this civil case “will bear fruit.”
Bonn tells Nebraska Watchdog, “We’ve got the video.”
In addition to the Wagner case the groups note the 2010 death of Justin Watson who was on drugs when he was arrested. According to the complaint Watson “would not have died had he not been beaten by police.” A grand jury investigation cleared police of any wrongdoing.
OPD says it has nothing to hide.
“We strive to be a transparent agency and if a citizen group feels the need for the Department of Justice to review these events, we welcome the review.”
Those calling for the investigation say they have no idea how long it might take.