Police won't release body-worn-camera video that 'exonerated' officer
The public will not be seeing key video of an incident that sparked accusations of police brutality against a 12-year-old boy.
The officer has been cleared, but police have denied News Channel Nebraska's request for a copy of the officer's body worn camera video, which was said to be critical to the officer’s exoneration.
In late June a 15-second video posted to social media, described by the amateur photographer as "police slamming a 12 year old kids face into the officers car than threatening to tase him," had major repercussions for that officer.
(View that amateur street video and our full report above]
14-year veteran Tyler Hansen, who according to Omaha police had no previous use of force violations, was taken off the street, during an internal investigation.
On August 12 Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said the "citizens video brought questions of excessive force" but the chief then added, "It was determined the officer’s up-close body-worn-camera video portrayed a more detailed account of why the officer took the measures he did."
Hansen was then “exonerated “by the chief.
NCN made a public records request for a copy of that critical body-worn-camera video but our request was recently denied.
NCN is told the footage is exempt from public records laws because it is "evidence developed or received by law enforcement agencies charged with investigative duties."
Police have released a summary of the body-camera video insisting the 12-year old:
--Was continuously cursing.
--Repeatedly pulled away from Officer Hansen.
--Pushed back into Hansen
--Spit at Hansen.
That while Hansen gave "loud verbal commands" telling the juvenile to "stop fighting."
A police report indicates the 12-year-old was given a street release and not arrested, while the officer’s body-worn-camera video goes unseen by the public— the video used to clear him of any wrongdoing.