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LULAC Urges Omaha Police to Increase Latino Representation in Oversight and Hiring

Push for a More Inclusive Police Oversight Structure Sparks Dialogue in Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska—The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is calling on the Omaha Police Department to incorporate more Latino input in both its police oversight and hiring practices. The Nebraska chapter of this prominent civil rights organization is pushing for the city to establish a formal citizens advisory committee to ensure the local police force better reflects and serves its Latino community.

The push follows months of mounting tension between the police and local Latino communities, amplified by the tragic February shootings of two Latino men, Fernando Rodriguez-Juarez and Jonathan Hernandez-Rosales. The pair was fatally shot by off-duty officers after a confrontation in a South Omaha parking lot. While the police department stated the officers acted in self-defense, the incident has sparked criticism, particularly around the delay in providing medical assistance and the subsequent public airing of the men’s immigration status.

This latest initiative from LULAC, backed by local Latino leaders, comes as part of a broader movement to increase transparency and accountability in police practices. On December 11, a closed-door meeting was held with police, local community members, and officials from the U.S. Department of Justice to discuss the need for greater Latino involvement in policing policies.

Omaha Police Department headquarters

A Call for Action: LULAC’s Vision for Change

LULAC’s vision is clear: it wants the City of Omaha to establish a new citizens advisory committee focused on police accountability and reform. The committee would offer a platform for Latino voices, helping to build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The national LULAC delegation, accompanied by local members, also visited the Automotive Training Center at the Metropolitan Community College in Omaha on August 9, where they were briefed by community leaders and local police. The visit was part of a larger effort to learn from other cities with established Latino-focused police engagement programs.

In November, LULAC representatives traveled to Dallas, Texas, where they explored the Dallas Police Department’s successful Latino engagement programs. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, who has previously expressed openness to considering similar initiatives, sent two officers to Dallas as part of the delegation to learn how such programs work.

The Importance of Community Input: How Advisory Boards Can Help

There’s growing evidence that citizens advisory boards, particularly those with diverse representation, can play a key role in improving police-community relations. Research has shown that cities like Dallas, where Latino engagement efforts are a priority, see increased trust and better outcomes in public safety.

Academics who study policing argue that these advisory boards serve as vital channels for community input, making police departments more responsive to the needs of marginalized groups. In Dallas, where Latino communities have historically had a tense relationship with law enforcement, the introduction of advisory boards has been credited with increasing public safety and improving trust between police officers and residents.

By drawing on the experiences of cities with successful models of community oversight, LULAC hopes to steer Omaha toward a more inclusive and equitable approach to policing. The goal is not just to ensure Latino voices are heard, but to create a system where police practices can be shaped and evaluated through the lens of diverse cultural perspectives.

The Resistance: Unions and Policing Challenges

While LULAC’s proposal has received support from many community leaders, it has also encountered significant resistance—particularly from the Omaha Police Officers Association (OPOA). Historically, police unions have pushed back against proposals for greater civilian oversight, arguing that it adds unnecessary stress and complexity to an already demanding job. Officers, the union argues, already face enough pressure in high-stress situations and shouldn’t be burdened by additional layers of review from outside organizations.

Police unions often see these civilian oversight efforts as a threat to officer autonomy and protection, especially in labor contracts that negotiate protections for officers. Despite these challenges, there remains a growing call for more transparency and accountability, particularly after incidents that have fueled distrust, like the shooting deaths of Rodriguez-Juarez and Hernandez-Rosales.

At the December meeting, Chief Schmaderer acknowledged the importance of community input, stating that there was “common ground” between the police department and the communities they serve. However, he also noted that discussions on implementing such changes would require consensus from both police leadership and unions—something that could prove difficult given the historical resistance to such reforms.

Looking Ahead: A Long Road to Change

It remains to be seen how far LULAC’s proposal will go in Omaha, and whether the city’s police department will move forward with plans for a citizens advisory committee. While Chief Schmaderer has expressed a willingness to explore the idea, much depends on the dynamics within the Omaha Police Officers Association and how open they are to changes in oversight and hiring processes.

In any case, the conversations sparked by this initiative could be the beginning of a larger movement for police reform in Omaha, especially as other cities show the positive effects of community engagement. As tensions continue to rise, many are hoping that Omaha can find a way to heal the divide and create a more inclusive, responsive police force that better serves its Latino communities.

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