2019
With the support of multiple local foundations and personal donors, the Omaha Police Foundation was able to raise nearly $1.8 million dollars to outfit every uniformed officer with the OPD with a personal body worn camera. More than 600 cameras are currently in use in Omaha providing invaluable real time evidence of a wide range of interactions with the public. In addition, these funds provided for the technological infrastructure to download and store footage for the required length of time.
2018
The Foundation contributed more than 50% of the $825,000 needed to purchase a new Mobile Command and Communications Center (MCCC) for the OPD. The MCCC, designed to house command officers, support staff and crisis negotiators, is currently being utilized at large public events like the College World Series, and will be deployed during emergencies, major natural disasters, barricade situations, officer-involved shootings and homicides.
The OPF, with the support of a generous local donor, was able to purchase a new Fugitive Transport Van. The Van is specifically designed for the secure loading, transport, and delivery of detainees and provides the Omaha Police Department the ability to safely transport detainees, while protecting officers from dangerous criminals that intend harm.
2017
The OPF successfully raised $200,000 to purchase and outfit a new Mobile Crime Lab. This heavy-duty mobile crime lab enabled OPD officers to process evidence found at crime scenes faster and more efficiently.
2016
The Horses of Honor® Omaha was a public art installation in Turner Park, benefiting the Omaha Police Foundation. The project mirrored the Horses of Honor® inaugural program held in Chicago and included life-size horse statues that were artistically and individually designed by Omaha area artists.
2015
Since 2015, the OPF has raised nearly $500,000 to purchase vehicles and equipment and to provide training for the OPD Forensic Investigation Unit, supporting its efforts to attain national accreditation, which was accomplished in October 2017.
2014
The Foundation purchased a Fire Arms Training Simulator for the Omaha Police Department. This critical piece of training equipment creates realistic situations for officers, thereby improving decision-making and firearms proficiency while providing feedback on speed, accuracy and judgment (cost: $140,000).
2011
The Omaha Police Foundation administered a generous grant from the Gary & Mary West Foundation that resulted in the building and opening of a new regional canine training facility on the campus of the Omaha Police Safety and Training Center (cost: $400,000).
2010
The Foundation provided funding for 60 officers and one prosecutor to attend the John E. Reid and Associates Interview and Interrogation training. This series of seminars is recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as one of the premier programs for this type of training (cost: $25,000).
2008
The Foundation raised funds for the purchase and outfitting of a customized recruitment vehicle to serve as a “rolling billboard” advertising the employment opportunities available through the Department while transporting the Department’s staff recruiters to hundreds of career fairs, safety expos and other events each year (cost: $41,000)
2007
The OPF successfully raised $200,000 to purchase and outfit a new Mobile Crime Lab. This heavy-duty mobile crime lab enabled OPD officers to process evidence found at crime scenes faster and more efficiently.
2006
The Foundation purchased a new Crime Lab Van, allowing the department to process crime scenes, on-site, more effectively (cost: $30,000).
2003
The Foundation assisted with the purchase of a driving simulator that allows officers to practice pursuit driving under all types of weather conditions (cost: $96,000).
The Foundation plays a key role in the police department’s continuing recruitment efforts. Working in conjunction with generous media sponsors, the Foundation has developed a series of comprehensive media and marketing campaigns that have resulted in the submission of more than 3,500 applications with an impressive diversity percentage of 28% including all ethnic minorities and women (donation value: $250,000+).
More than $100,000 has been provided by the Foundation to support numerous community-based programs presented by the Omaha Police Department including the Omaha Police Athletic League, Santa Visits the Southwest Precinct, Halloween Safe Nights, National Night Out, Cops & Bobbers fishing program and many more.
The Foundation funded a series of race-relations retreats designed to improve understanding and trust between the African-American and Latino communities and the officers of the Omaha Police Department (cost: $15,000)