OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — In the wake of deaths like George Floyd's, the Black Lives Matter movement is looking into police unions and the role they play in protecting officers.
Union contracts can offer a range of protections and can affect investigations into officers. Here in Omaha, officers are allowed to review video evidence before they're interrogated.
The department says they do this to help refresh the officer's memory so that they can give the most accurate statement of an incident.
At the same time in Nebraska, police disciplinary records are not public record.
"It's a tragic situation, but whether George Floyd or the incident in Atlanta, you hear the argument that the person's history doesn't matter," said Anthony Conner of the Omaha Police Officers Association. "Well, if the history don't matter with them, why why would it matter with a police officer? That's where I think there's some confusion, and what the public says they want."
Conner supports President Trump's recent executive order calling for a database to track officers' excessive use of force.
He adds that the public does have input on police union contracts by voting for the mayor and city council, who approve police contracts.
