Omaha police chief details changes to be made in officers’ responding to protests and civil unrest – KETV Omaha

On Wednesday, Omaha Police Chief Chief Todd Schmaderer outlined what his department needs to do better when it comes to responding to protests and civil unrest.Schmaderer went over a review of the the department's response to more than 60 different events in Omaha this summer.Click here to read the full reportOverall, the chief said OPD operated with patience to provide the opportunity for free speech.He said officers dealt with being spit on, screamed at and having objects thrown at them.He said despite difficulties, command and control improved each day and the department gained valuable experience."Because if we can't learn they were destined to repeat the failures that we had on the first go round and we don't want that to occur," he said. Schmaderer said there were 123 use-of-force incidents and three were not within policy.One officer was fired and is appealing that termination.He said area's for improvement included training, equipment and bringing policies and procedures up to speed.He said training would include areas of de-escalation and on the First Amendment. The department plans to make changes in handling mass arrests.

On Wednesday, Omaha Police Chief Chief Todd Schmaderer outlined what his department needs to do better when it comes to responding to protests and civil unrest.

Schmaderer went over a review of the the department's response to more than 60 different events in Omaha this summer.

Click here to read the full report

Overall, the chief said OPD operated with patience to provide the opportunity for free speech.

He said officers dealt with being spit on, screamed at and having objects thrown at them.

He said despite difficulties, command and control improved each day and the department gained valuable experience.

"Because if we can't learn they were destined to repeat the failures that we had on the first go round and we don't want that to occur," he said.

Schmaderer said there were 123 use-of-force incidents and three were not within policy.

One officer was fired and is appealing that termination.

He said area's for improvement included training, equipment and bringing policies and procedures up to speed.

He said training would include areas of de-escalation and on the First Amendment. The department plans to make changes in handling mass arrests.

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Omaha police chief details changes to be made in officers' responding to protests and civil unrest - KETV Omaha