OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — On Sunday, a YouTube user posted a video of an Omaha Police officer working at the front desk of their downtown headquarters. During an exchange, in which the person recording the video asked for a complaint form, the officer turned on his strobing flashlight and began pointing it at the YouTube user's camera. Today, the officer has been reassigned and an internal investigation has been opened by Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer.
OPD shared the news in a series of tweets:
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— Omaha Police Dept (@OmahaPolice) January 7, 2020
OPD Statement: Chief Todd Schmaderer has authorized an internal investigation regarding several videos recorded by a citizen at the Omaha Police Central Headquarters that were posted on YouTube.
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— Omaha Police Dept (@OmahaPolice) January 7, 2020
The videos capture the citizen interacting with officers either outside of Omaha Police Central Headquarters or working at the Front Desk.
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— Omaha Police Dept (@OmahaPolice) January 7, 2020
The Omaha Police Department expects professional conduct from our officers at all times. The officer displaying his flashlight during one of the encounters has been reassigned pending the outcome of the internal investigation.
Omaha City Council Member Ben Gray tells us he doesn't know what happened before and after the video, that he will let the internal investigation happen and is confident they will make a proper determination.
