4 Omaha police officers fired after investigation; criminal charges possible

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Juan Perez Jr. and Maggie O'Brien

Four Omaha police officers — including a sergeant — have been fired following the controversial arrest of three brothers in north Omaha.

Three additional officers have been placed on administrative leave, Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said Friday. An eighth officer has been reassigned from his or her normal duties.

“I also knew regardless of my findings, public trust has been damaged, and I needed to take steps to restore that public trust,” the chief said Friday. “Many of the police actions that took place that day are in violation of our policies and do not represent how I want our officers to carry themselves.”

The World-Herald has learned the officers who were fired are Sgt. Aaron P. Von Behren and Officers Bradley D. Canterbury, James T. Kinsella and Justin A. Reeve.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20130405/NEWS/130409750/1685#4-omaha-police-officers-fired-after-investigation-criminal-charges-possible

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More coverage

• Public reactions: Omaha responds to police firings

Tell us what you think with a comment on our Facebook page or mention @OWHnews on Twitter.

• Arrest video: Watch the controversial arrest unfold
• Timeline: March 21 events at 33rd and Seward Streets
• Past firings: Recent timeline of Omaha police officer dismissals
• Mayor supports chief: Mayor Jim Suttle released a statement about the firings

[Lasher]

1. For excessive force

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says four police officers have been fired following allegations that excessive force was used during arrests last month.

Schmaderer says three more officers have been put on leave and another has been reassigned. Their names haven't been released.

The March 21 incident was secretly recorded by a neighbor. The officers were responding to an on-going parking complaint in the north Omaha neighborhood.

Schmaderer ordered an internal investigation a day after the video turned up online. It showed an officer grabbing 28-year-old Octavius Johnson from behind, violently throwing him to the ground and punching him while he was restrained.

http://www.klkntv.com/story/21891152/4-omaha-police-officers-fired

[BensMom]

2. The video is heart breaking

I was terrified watching the video.
It might be a long summer for Omaha.

[Comrade Grumpy]

3. Firing them is a start. I honestly didn't expect to see this.

[Dawson Leery]

4. k/r

[LuckyLib]

5. Our former urban police chief called these officers "thumpers" -- he acknowledged

there will be some in every department, and that it is the chief's job to make sure that they know they will be found out, and will be canned. He often said that there were folks who went into police work who should not be there.

[JimDandy]

6. Good for the police chief.

[tkmorris]

7. Well I'll be damned. The Chief did the right thing.

This is a pleasant change from how these things normally go. Well done sir, very well done indeed.