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assigning cruiser officers for an hour or two to the police-community relations unit so they could become acquainted with the community. Acting Chief Jack Swanson believes attitudes will change when community and police officers alike can recognize each other as individuals and the community realizes that the officers are "simply family men out to make a living.

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Other suggestions for improving police-community relations involved the 911 emergency number, assignment of rookie officers, sensitivity training for officers and the need for more minority officers.

Residents expressed concern that although they believed they were making anonymous calls to the 911 emergency service numbers (used to contact police), the police officers answering the alarm knew who had made the call. One group alleged that the officers, during the investigation of a situation that prompted a call, released the name of the caller to the subject of the investigation. The group did not like the idea that the 911 system "locked in" the caller's telephone, making it inoperable until released after the ene.60

officer was on the scene.

line open.

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Acting Chief Swanson said the 911 system was designed to lock callers telephones because in an emergency situation it might be necessary to keep the He said there was no special policy that he was aware of regarding anonymous calls. He said he saw no reason why police officers should release the names of callers to the persons complained against. Albert Jones, director of the communications division for Omaha, said anonymous calls are accepted although names are requested. Most persons who are concerned about giving their names are worried about being identified over the police radio because of the numerous police scanners in the city, according to Mr. Jones. He said if a citizen does not want his or her name used, that request is

honored. Mr. Jones said the "lock-in" characteristic has saved lives and helped solve crimes.62

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Some citizens complained about the assignment of rookie officers to the minority community. These citizens feel the younger officers have less experience in dealing with minorities and have a tendency to overreact. Acting Chief Swanson agreed that as a result of shift assignments based on seniority and area assignments based on a bidding process, it is generally true that the new officers are in North Omaha. However, in his opinion this means better service for the residents because the rookies are apt to respond to calls quicker.64 George Ernce, president of the Police Union,

essentially agreed with Acting Chief Swanson. Mr. Ernce added that the chief of police has the power to assign officers regardless of the bidding and seniority systems if he believes it is necessary.65

The need for sensitivity training to help experienced and rookie officers better understand the minority community was mentioned by many

interviewed.66

Many of those interviewed also mentioned the importance of minority officers to good police-community relations and stressed that Omaha needs more minority officers.67 These two topics are discussed more fully in other sections of this study.

Fred Conley suggested creation of a permanent advisory board to the mayor on police-community relations. The committee could suggest programs for the 68 community relations office and keep the mayor aware of developing issues. The Complaint Process

Many authorities feel that the citizen complaint process can be an important tool for detecting police violations. A 1964 Harvard Law Review article, "The Administration of Complaints by Civilians Against the Police" by Harold Berol and Marcus Sisk, quoted with approval by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), stated the complaint system should serve two ends:

A properly administered complaint review system serves both the special professional interests of the police and the general interests of the community. As a disciplinary device, it can promote and maintain desired standards of conduct among police officers by punishing--and thereby deterring--aberrant behavior. Just as important, it can provide satisfaction to those civilians who are adversely affected by police misconduct.69

Discussing the perceptions of minorities and other advocacy groups, the

IACP noted that when 17 agency citizen complaint systems were assessed through IACP field research and interviews of the news media and community groups, it

found:

A common theme throughout these interviews was distrust of internal investigations, generally founded upon the citizens' lack of information about the process. Many community representatives stated that police agencies should not investigate complaints against their own personnel. The rationale was that investigations would be biased. The terms whitewash and cover-up were used to describe community sentiment toward departmental investigation practices. These groups stated that alternative bodies, such as the district attorney's office, other law enforcement agencies, and private investigators should be responsible for investigating complaints.

The fact that citizens' groups did not communicate with the police on an ongoing basis, and generally were not aware of investigative practices, generated this criticism. In one jurisdiction, the district attorney actually was responsible for investigating serious allegations. Community representatives were unaware of this practice.70

The International Association of Chiefs of Police manual on police discipline

states:

Complaints or allegations of police officer misconduct may be brought by citizens who believe they have witnessed or suffered from officer misconduct or may be brought by fellow officers or supervisors. Complaints of officer misconduct must be afforded the same degree of serious consideration as reports of criminal offenses.71

Acting Chief Jack Swanson described the Omaha police division's citizen complaint process to staff. He stated that complaints are accepted 24 hours a day. If a person calls they are asked to come down to the station. If for some reason, such as health, age, or lack of transportation, the person cannot come to the station, an internal security investigator is sent. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, though, formal complaints are taken only at the downtown station.72

Some persons interviewed questioned the necessity of going to police headquarters and expressed the opinion that complaints should be taken at the neighborhood outreach center on Lake Street. 73 Wayne Tyndall, director of

the American Indian Center of Omaha, Inc., was unsuccessful in convincing two American Indians that they should file formal complaints because they were afraid to go to police headquarters.74

Information in the police manual that indicates complaints can be taken at the neighborhood police-community relations office is outdated, according to the acting police chief.75 He said that it had been tried for a while but was discontinued, partly because the offices had been closed and also because officers at the police-community relations neighborhood office did not like taking complaints because they simply forwarded it to the station and did not conduct any investigation themselves. However, the citizens still expected them to know all about their complaints and their progress.76

One member of the Midwest Guardians, in response to a question on the point, said he knew of no instances where an officer had been sent to the neighborhood outreach office to take a complaint from someone unwilling to go "downtown."77 Ruth Jackson, director of the city's human relations

department, said she could understand the reluctance of some people to go to police headquarters to make a complaint. The issue is not a new one. In late 1980, the Sun newspapers noted that black leaders were unhappy about the inability of the northside outreach center to process complaints of police abuse. 78

According to Acting Chief Swanson, when a citizen goes to the main police station and alleges police abuse or misconduct the uniform captain on duty takes the complaint and also does a tape recorded interview to supplement the form. The complaint then goes to internal security where an investigator is assigned. The investigator conducts more interviews if necessary.

The

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officer complained about is notified and interviewed. At the close of the

investigation a finding is made of:

1.

2.

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The allegation is false or not factual.

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The incident complained of did occur, but was lawful and

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Insufficient evidence either to prove or disprove the

allegation.

4. Sustained - The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence.80 The results and findings of the investigation are given to the chief who determines the final action. 81 The police manual states that if the complaint is sustained the chief may take the following actions which are subject to review by the city's personnel board:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Consultation - With the officer by the Chief of Police and/or by a
Command Officer of the Police Division.

Oral Reprimand - The final report shall indicate when, where, and by
whom the reprimand was given and an entry will be made in the
employee's oral reprimand record.

Written Reprimand - The reprimand will be prepared and presented to the accused by the Chief of Police. A copy will be sent to the Personnel Section and placed in the officer's personnel jacket. Suspension - The Chief of Police will suspend the accused for a specific number of days up to and including thirty (30) days. Removal The Chief of Police will relieve the accused from the Division.82

A citizen filing a formal complaint receives notice of the results and in a separate letter two days later is told of the appeals procedure.

Third party complaints and anonymous complaints, as a rule, are not accepted. However, exceptions are made if the allegation is thought to be serious and credible. An investigation will be made but the person

complaining will not receive the notices.

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Leadership of the Midwest Guardians stated that they believe the citizen complaint process should be changed. They stated that citizens believe they will not get an honest investigation and that nothing will change because it

is "cops policing cops.

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Several citizens interviewed agreed with them.

James Hart, president of the local NAACP, said he considers the process ineffective and that it undermines the citizens confidence in the police.&

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