Omaha's police chief said Sunday that in the wake of a SWAT team member shooting an unarmed man last week, he is considering a change in the location of body-worn cameras.
Chief Todd Schmaderer said during a press conference the body-worm camera of Officer Adam Vail was obscured by equipment during the fatal shooting of Cameron Ford, 37. Vail, a veteran member of Omaha's SWAT team, is on desk duty while under investigation for shooting Ford while serving a no-knock search warrant at 7 a.m. Wednesday near 78th and Redick Avenues.
Vail told investigators during an interview Friday he made the split-second decision to fire his weapon because he was unable to see Ford's hands as Ford charged at the officer in an upstairs hallway.Ford, who was alone in the house, was a known gang member with a lengthy criminal history, including possession of narcotics and firearms, according to police.
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Vail's body-worn camera video was obscured by the ballistic shield he was carrying. The camera of the officer immediately behind Vail also did not capture the critical moment due to the narrowness of the three-foot wide hallway, Schmaderer said.
The search warrant was for firearms and drugs in the home. The SWAT team had been told that Ford should be considered armed and an AR-15 semi-automatic pistol was found next to Ford's bed.
"I am strongly considering fixing the camera to the helmet for SWAT service," Schmaderer said. "Even then, it's a dynamic environment with shields and around corners that may or may not capture everything, but we want to give it the best chance we can."
The police department is also going to review its policies for no-knock search warrants, Schmaderer said. Currently, a no-knock search warrant must be approved by a captain or a chief deputy.
Schmaderer said his department determines a threat assessment before applying for a no-knock search warrant. A score of 25 is the minimum threshold for requesting a no-knock warrant, he said, and the assessment for Ford was at 80.
What you missed last week in notable Omaha crimes and court cases
Last week's local crime and court updates from The World-Herald.
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A 35-year-old man told police that someone shot him early Sunday while he was driving in North Omaha.
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A former Omaha Boy Scout scoutmaster was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Friday after pleading guilty to child enticement.
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A 16-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday and charged with first-degree murder and other felonies in connection with the slaying of a 64-year-old Omaha man last week.
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Douglas County SWAT team arrests 2 people suspected of homicide in Utah
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The Douglas County SWAT team found and arrested two people suspected of committing a homicide in Utah.
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Omaha man who shot co-worker 21 times after disagreement at work sentenced to prison
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An Omaha man was sentenced on Wednesday to decades in prison for shooting his co-worker 21 times after a disagreement at work.
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Man who conducted fake active shooter drill at Omaha company found guilty of terroristic threats
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An Omaha man who conducted an active shooter drill at Catholic Charities in 2022—terrorizing employees who were not informed that the shooter was an actor—was found guilty this week of multiple felonies in connection with the drill.
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Omaha police armored vehicle called to assist SWAT team in Blair standoff arrest
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An armored vehicle belonging to the Omaha Police Department assisted in the arrest of a Blair man following a standoff at his home.
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New mental health addition coming to Douglas County Department of Corrections
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By late 2026, the Douglas County Department of Corrections in downtown Omaha will have a dedicated 80-bed mental health facility.
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A 46-year-old man went to an Omaha hospital with critical injuries Monday night following stabbing just west of the Benson neighborhood.
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An Omaha man who pleaded guilty in June to shooting a friend to death was sentenced Monday.
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Omaha man charged in fatal hit-and-run crash will stand trial
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A 22-year-old Omaha man who is charged with failing to stop and render aid after striking a woman with his vehicle will stand trial in Douglas County District Court.
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Smell of marijuana leads Nebraska State Patrol investigator to Nevada homicide suspect
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kevin.cole@owh.com, 402-444-1272
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