Controversy erupts over police union video posting
Submitted by Ron DeLord
The Omaha police union is facing criticism for posting a video online of a toddler being cursed at and being encouraged to curse. Union officials say they wanted to stimulate discussion about problems in the community and show what officers encounter. Critics say there better ways to do that without subjecting a child to ridicule. The video shows an African-American boy wearing only a diaper as he’s harangued with racial slurs and obscenities from at least three adults.
The union found the video on a known local gang member’s Facebook page. The union said it had an obligation to share the video so the public will learn about “the terrible cycle of violence and thuggery that some young innocent children find themselves helplessly trapped in.” “The whole point of this is to give an unfiltered view of what police officers deal with every day,” said Sgt. John Wells, president of the Omaha Police Officers Association.
But Willie Hamilton, executive director of Black Men United in Omaha, said the police union didn’t have to post the video to promote discussion about helping families overcome poverty.
“It’s almost like the kid was abused twice: once by the people in the video and once by the police officers association,” said Hamilton, whose group promotes mentoring and works to strengthen families.
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