Scandal rocked Omaha last summer when two officers were accused of evidence planting – but still there is no resolution. “Clearly, investigating internal allegations of corruption can be a complex matter,” said ACLU Nebraska Executive Director Laurel Marsh. “But there is no transparency explaining whether OPD is taking this issue seriously.”
ACLU Nebraska has been the only reason this issue hasn’t died quietly in the back rooms of the Omaha Police Department. Follow the time line of events below:
- On May 18th, 2010, the Omaha World Herald reported that Omaha police officers were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into allegations that they were involved in evidence tampering.
- On August 9th, 2010, ACLU Nebraska called upon Attorney General Jon Bruning to launch an independent investigation into evidence-planting allegations in the Omaha Police Department and Douglas County.
- On January 14th, 2011, ACLU Nebraska again urged Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes to restore public confidence by calling in an independent, outside investigator.
Subsequently, Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes finally admitted in January 2011 that the investigations were still ongoing, that the FBI had been contacted, and that criminal charges might be a possibility. No information has been provided to explain what is taking so long, and one of the suspended officers, Frank Platt, has retired from the force with a full pension. Still, the ACLU won’t give up until we get clear answers.
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