The Omaha Police Chief, Tobb Schmaderer, acknowledged a nationwide racial disparity in policing, stating that police are “generally a true statement” more likely to pull Black people out of their cars at gunpoint than other racial groups. This statement came as the city addressed the controversial traffic stop of champion boxer, Terence “Bud” Crawford, a Black man, mere hours after a downtown celebration in his honor.
Crawford’s traffic stop has intensified existing racial tensions between Omaha’s Black community and its police force. State Senator Terrell McKinney, a Black lawmaker and police critic, expressed disappointment but not surprise, urging the community to “demand real change boldly and unapologetically.”
The chief presented details from an internal investigation which found that the officers did not violate department policy. According to their reports, officers pulled over a speeding, unlicensed high-performance car and did not know Crawford was driving. The situation escalated when a passenger disclosed he had a legal firearm, and the officer on the driver’s side then spotted a legal gun near Crawford’s feet, prompting the officer to draw his weapon and order all four occupants out and into handcuffs for about 10 minutes.
After confirming all occupants were legally permitted to carry firearms, the police released them, ticketing Crawford for reckless driving. Despite community anger, Chief Schmaderer stated the police body camera video would not be released unless Crawford agrees, citing department protocol against releasing footage without a fatality or officer-involved shooting. The incident occurred shortly after the city celebrated Crawford’s unified super middleweight championship and 38th birthday.