APPENDIX C Complaints about police practices can be filed with the Omaha Police Omaha Police Division 505 South 15th Street (402) 444-5811 (Internal Security) If you believe your constitutional rights have been violated by the police, you can file a complaint with: United States Attorney 215 North 17th Street (402) 221-4774 or Federal Bureau of Investigation Omaha, Nebraska The Public Interest Law Center of Omaha offers a referral service for those who want to file suit against abusive police officers. Volunteer attorneys will not charge initial attorney fees but will charge for other expenses such as depositions. Every effort is made to keep costs at a minimum. The Law Center is staffed with volunteers and has no office. Contact can be made by telephone. Call: 348-1075. It is apparent that a great deal of time and effort went into the preparation of the report on police-community relations in the City of Omaha. I appreciate all of this work, and found the historical perspective on this situation to be very informative. 11 As you know, the past year has seen an entire new command structure in place over the police division with my election as Mayor and with my subsequent appointments of a new Public Safety Director, Assistant Public Safety Director, and Chief of Police. Other changes in approach have followed as a result of this change in administration. I am very confident that our approach will meet with your approval. Some of the elements of my acts are: - My appointment of former Deputy Chief Joseph Friend as my Public Safety Director. This appointment was met with considerable favorable response from many segments of the community, especially in view of Mr. Friend's well-known commitment to community relations and affirmative action. Mr. Friend's appointment of Erven McSwain as Assistant Public Safety Director. Mr. McSwain previously worked in the City of Omaha Human Relations Department. Chief My appointment of Robert Wadman as Chief of Police. Wadman is also committed to community relations and affirmative action, and has excellent credentials. Chief Wadman has already implemented a number of new programs which will obviously greatly improve the Police Division, and he will soon announce a new Mission Statement for the Police Division, a copy of which is enclosed. Also enclosed is a copy of an article which appeared in the Omaha World Herald today regarding the Police Division. 6 DAY 1982 Mr. Melvin Jenkins May 4, 1982 Page Two These and other activities by members of my administration over the next three years will demonstrate that we are committed to good policecommunity relations. Again, thank you for the opportunity to review and respond to your report, and we look forward to future opportunities for cooperation with your group. Sincerely yours, Thichail, Michael Boyle, Mayor MB:24:cr Enclosure (Enclosures to this letter have been omitted.) *U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1982 376-632/1127 1-3 |