Agency Profile: Omaha (Neb.) Police Department

The distinctive agency offers rich, regional history & diverse assignments—& sets its sights on the future of policing

• Michelle Perin
• 2009 Oct 21

Omaha (Neb.) sprang to life in 1854, when spectators from Council Bluffs (Iowa) crossed the Missouri River. Omaha soon became known as the “Gateway to the West,” as settlers traveled through. Transportation became easier when the First Transcontinental Railroad broke ground in 1863. Three years later, Union Pacific commenced construction westward from the city. Although many people continued their journeys, numerous families settled in the area. The Union Stockyards, founded in 1883, covered 260 acres and became one of the largest livestock and meat-packing companies in the world by the mid-1900s. Omaha has never been just some small place on the prairie. Rich in early western history, agriculture and culture, Omaha embraces its past. A look at the badge worn by Omaha police officers proves it.

Pride in History
The 776 sworn police officers who serve the 118.9 square miles of Omaha wear a distinctive badge. “I believe we are the only police department with a buffalo on our badge,” says Lt. Darci Tierney, Omaha Police Department Media Relations. “The buffalo on both the patch and the police badge is a reminder of the great herds of buffalo that once roamed the vast plains of the great state of Nebraska. The center of the badge depicts the seal of Omaha and represents the heritage of the great Nebraska plains focusing on the agricultural aspect. The Native American that is pictured is a historical reminder of the many tribes that inhabited the area. In the center of the seal is the head of the buffalo, symbol of the early west.” Omaha budgeted for 813 sworn personnel and continues to recruit and hire. Also, 144 full-time and 24 part-time non-sworn employees keep the department running smoothly.

Recruiting
Omaha uses an outside agency to assist in recruiting and hiring. “An ad agency handles all our advertisements, whether we do magazine advertising, electronic billboards, radio (or) TV,” said Lt. Cathy A. Cook, Omaha Backgrounds and Inspections Unit. “We target minority businesses and colleges.”

Once hired, an officer attends Omaha’s 21-week, non-live-in academy. Although they haven’t accepted laterals for four years, Omaha has a program for select out-of-state applicants. “We have reciprocity,” Cook says. “You have to live within a general geographic area. There are three or four states who qualify for this to forgo some of the requirements. They would have a shortened training period.” Currently, Omaha PD is working off of a list with the next academy class beginning in November.

Officer Basics
Recruits make $36,227 per year. After probation, the range extends from $40,179–57,360. Three shifts are available: Morning, graveyard and a Wednesday through Saturday, 10-hour shift, which overlaps the other two. The department conducts shift bids annually by seniority. Omaha offers bilingual pay, requires 10 years to be vested and city retirement after 20 or 25 years. Numerous specialty assignments are offered, including air support, special victims unit, motorcycle and mounted patrol and 30 different investigation units. An officer must complete at least three years in patrol to be eligible. “Something unusual about OPD is the fact that all ranks from officer to captain are represented by the same bargaining unit—the Omaha Police Officers Association,” Tierney said.

Focus on the Future
Although steeped in history, Omaha PD focuses on the future. “We are in the process of upgrading our electronic reporting system that will feature searchable data bases to assist our crime analysis unit track trends and assist investigations,” Tierney said. “Our primary focus continues to be the reduction of violence, by using crime analysis, hot spot deployment, interaction and partnership with the community and the investigation of gangs as criminal organizations.”

To continue to facilitate relationships, Omaha encourages the families of officers to go through the citizen’s academy. They allow spouses to come during the first week of the academy to ask questions. Omaha also offers a Women in Law Enforcement forum. “It was originally designed to target females,” Cook said. “But, we allow anyone to come and ask questions about what it’s like to be in the academy and what it’s like to be an officer.”

Along with the diversity offered on a day-to-day basis by Omaha PD, large sporting events allow officers to interact with the community. Since 1950, Omaha’s Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium has been home to the College World Series. “We coordinate with surrounding agencies to coordinate traffic and crowd control for the CWS,” Cook explains. Omaha hosted the 2008 USA Olympic swim trials and will do so again in 2012. “The Qwest Center is bringing in more collegiate sporting events as well as other big venues,” she said. Omaha is also home to three professional sports teams.

In December 2007, Omaha PD showed its ability to handle a major incident, which made national and international news. Robert Hawkins entered the Von Maur store in Omaha’s Westroads Mall and opened fire, killing eight and injuring five before killing himself. Officers were on scene within six minutes. The professionalism and training of the officers showed the department in an exemplary light.

Becoming an officer in this city of 438,646 (making it the 40 largest in the nation), allows an opportunity to work for a department offering diverse assignments, good benefits and pride in the region’s history. “I’ve had opportunities to grow in the department and advance, and I think anybody coming will have those same opportunities. I encourage anyone who’s interested to apply,” Cook said.

Read other agency profiles:

Seattle Police Department
http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/columns/Perin/agency_profile_seattle_pd.html

Lakewood (Colo.) Police Department
http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/columns/Perin/lakewood_pd.html

Missouri State Water Patrol
http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/columns/Perin/mo_state_water_patrol.html

Oregon State Police
http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/columns/Perin/oregon_state_police.html

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• Michelle Perin

  Michelle Perin worked as a police telecommunications operator with the Phoenix (AZ) Police Department for eight years. For more information, visit  www.thewritinghand.net. >>View Author Profile