“…if anyone asks, tell them it means For The People.”
Before Ferguson, before BLM, there was FTP Omaha.
March 22nd, 2013 FTP Omaha was formed by citizens in response to a leak of footage showing Omaha Police Officers engaged in a criminal conspiracy to cover up a criminal assault upon an innocent family.
What followed next was a public groundswell of organizing efforts aimed at dropping charges for the wrongly accused, firing and criminally charging officers, and creating forms of independent oversight to prevent officer misconduct and crimes.
In its nearly decade long existence, FTP has maintained its original purpose: protecting the innocent, empowering every day people to be engaged in police oversight, and ensuring officers who abuse their position and people are fired, criminally charged, prosecuted, and jailed.
When the people hold officers accountable in the streets, city halls, and courts, public trust can be restored. When people are active in protecting their communities, violence from the police and citizens decreases. A win for all.
FTP’s Founder
At 26 years old after serving as the lead facilitator for Occupy Omaha for over one year and witnessing multiple attacks of black men by police in Omaha go unpunished, Cunningham formed FTP Omaha as the “first responders to oppression”. Cunningham has engaged the City of Omaha on countless instances of pushing for police reform.
Cunningham is completing his first book chronicling the events and aftermath of FTP’s actions in Omaha, as well as the strategies, successes, and pitfalls of the national police reform movement.
The Dangers Police Organizers Face
While the task of police reform is of critical importance organizers can face specific risks from the enabling the “thin blue line”. Over the course of his decade plus in police reform organizing, Cunningham has been a target of hate groups, police stalking, and life threatening scenarios as a result of calling out the violently unaccountable.
Community Centered Focus
From it’s inception FTP has put at-risk communities concerns and safety as our primary goal. Well meaning organizers and reformers in office and uniform are no substitute for the input of those most damaged by improper policing.
Community Devised Solutions
Rather than be reactionary to instances of police abuse, FTP sought input from those victimized by police as well as other affected people and their supporters. The complex formula to successful reform requires the input of the over-policed to be effective and have public support. Tone deaf responses from city halls, the courts, and police departments are not enough.
Bringing Opposition Face-to-face.
While the mantra of opponents to police is to never speak to police FTP respects this position as police have a long history of abusing people and power. FTP also believes a diversity of tactics must be employed in the struggle to correct the problems of policing in America.
Direct Accountability.
FTP has participated in moderating numerous victims of police crime with agencies including police departments, municipal and state elected officials, and the Department of Justice.
Pushing For Change
Elected officials can’t afford to wait to make changes when people’s lives, health, and safety are on the line. Independent police oversight, appropriate officer firings, and adequate prosecutions are what decrease officer uses of often fatal force.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Citizens must take an active roll in policing the police in their communities. They must also band together behind policy based on proven methods of reform. The lip service to reform, accountability, and oversight must end.
In It For The Long Haul
The journey of reform is a process of constant refinement. Organizers and other reformers will face opposition but must not be deterred. The national outcry around policing must coalesce around a cohesive vision in line with communities needs and for public health and public service.
Change Comes From The Ground Up.
Despite what abusive departments, unresponsive politicians, and soft consequences may come individual citizens must be vigilant against the abusers in their community. Nothing changes unless we do it ourselves first.