Geist, other speakers at rally voice concerns on law enforcement in Lincoln
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A former head of the Nebraska State Patrol held a rally at the Capitol on Monday, saying law enforcement has been disrespected for too long.
Tom Nesbitt said he’s tired of brave men and women being blamed, despite putting their lives on the line to keep us safe.
He said he’s also fed up with the lawlessness in Lincoln.
“If we don’t have law and order here in Lincoln, Nebraska, we’ve got nothing,” Nesbitt said. “And the police officers, the brave men and women that wear blue in this city, need to hear that. And they need to hear that from us.”
Speakers at the rally drew attention to several problems they see in Lincoln’s law enforcement, including a lack of funding for the police department and an understaffed police force.
Above all, the speakers called for a change in leadership.
Mayoral candidate Suzanne Geist was in attendance and spoke.
“Until we acknowledge that we have a problem and we face it together, we can’t overcome it,” she said.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said in part in a statement:
“As mayor, I have added more police officers to the city budget every single year and made our officers the highest paid in the state. More than 50% of our tax funded budget supports public safety… I support police officers, and my record proves it.”
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon and Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner were among the those who spoke in favor of Geist at the rally.
But Gaylor Baird has been endorsed by former Police Chief Tom Casady and the Lincoln Fire Fighters Association.
Nesbitt said leadership is important for Lincoln’s police, but so is community support.
“I have police officers that call me and say, “Colonel, I’m thinking about quitting.’ I go meet with them, ‘You can’t quit. We need you,'” Nesbitt said. “Hearing from those who support police will give them the ability and the confidence that they’re supported to be able to go out and do their job.”
