It’s a big day for the Omaha Police Department adding 56 new officers to the force. Omaha police Chief Todd Schmaderer reminds this new recruitment class to hold their job to the highest standard. Some of the recruits say they’re just excited to get out and help the community. Like mother, like son — recently retired Omaha police Sgt. Felicia Merritt is passing the torch to her son, Kenneth. She’s proud of him being one of 56 new Omaha police graduates. Kenneth is proud of himself and grateful his mother paved the way. “My mom, she was military and then she came back home and got into being an officer growing up I always saw her impact kids and that was my motivation. I wanted to impact kids,” Kenneth said.Chief Schmaderer says this latest recruit class is diverse and that application numbers show the interest is still there to join law enforcement. “One of the things we wanted to emphasize from the minute you walk in the doors is professionalism,” Chief Schmaderer said.Schmaderer says he’s fortunate to have support from the mayor and city council. Mayor Jean Stothert increased funding to OPD in 2020 and again this year. She says her stance on policing reflects how the community feels. “The ones that were the loudest and talking about defunding and disassembling our police department were the vocal minority,” Mayor Stothert said.After 27 weeks of hard work another new officer, Jameese Compton, says she’s ready to better the world. “I see a lot of things going on and I just want to be part of it and help the community out,” Compton said.There still about an additional 15 weeks of training before we see this new recruit class out patrolling.
It’s a big day for the Omaha Police Department adding 56 new officers to the force.
Omaha police Chief Todd Schmaderer reminds this new recruitment class to hold their job to the highest standard. Some of the recruits say they’re just excited to get out and help the community.
Like mother, like son — recently retired Omaha police Sgt. Felicia Merritt is passing the torch to her son, Kenneth.
She’s proud of him being one of 56 new Omaha police graduates. Kenneth is proud of himself and grateful his mother paved the way.
“My mom, she was military and then she came back home and got into being an officer growing up I always saw her impact kids and that was my motivation. I wanted to impact kids,” Kenneth said.
Chief Schmaderer says this latest recruit class is diverse and that application numbers show the interest is still there to join law enforcement.
“One of the things we wanted to emphasize from the minute you walk in the doors is professionalism,” Chief Schmaderer said.
Schmaderer says he’s fortunate to have support from the mayor and city council. Mayor Jean Stothert increased funding to OPD in 2020 and again this year. She says her stance on policing reflects how the community feels.
“The ones that were the loudest and talking about defunding and disassembling our police department were the vocal minority,” Mayor Stothert said.
After 27 weeks of hard work another new officer, Jameese Compton, says she’s ready to better the world.
“I see a lot of things going on and I just want to be part of it and help the community out,” Compton said.
There still about an additional 15 weeks of training before we see this new recruit class out patrolling.
