Omaha Police Department Picket Lines Policy PDF

**PICKET LINES/SIGNTAURE GATHERING** **POLICY:** It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) to maintain the peace while recognizing and respecting the statutory and constitutional right of persons to picket in labor disputes or strike situations; and to circulate and gather signatures o...

**PICKET LINES/SIGNTAURE GATHERING** **POLICY:** It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) to maintain the peace while recognizing and respecting the statutory and constitutional right of persons to picket in labor disputes or strike situations; and to circulate and gather signatures on petitions and engage in other expressive activity such as leafleting, political campaigning, and political or charitable fund raising. **PROCEDURE:** I. **Picket Lines** A. OPD vehicles will not go through picket lines onto private property except when: 1. It is a large tract type of patrol situation and the tract is a normal area of patrol. 2. Officers are on official police business (i.e., responding to a call, making a police report, etc.). B. Officers will not tell picketers where to stand if they are not violating any statutes/ordinances or private property rights. C. OPD will coordinate with organizers of official picket lines as needed. D. Officers will notify their supervisor if they come across a picket line that the OPD was unaware of. E. Due to the sensitivity of these situations, officers who arrest picketers for violations will have a command officer review the charges prior to booking. F. The OPD will adhere to all State Statutes and City Ordinances relevant to picket lines. 3. State Statutes: a. 28-1317: Unlawful picketing; penalty. b. 28-1318: Mass picketing, defined; penalty; display of sign required. c. 28-1319: Interfering with picketing; penalty. d. 28-1320: Intimidating pickets: penalty. e. 28-1320.01: Unlawful picketing of a funeral; legislative findings. f. 28-1320.02: Unlawful picketing of a funeral; terms, defined. g. 28-1320.03: Unlawful picketing of a funeral; penalty. 4. City Ordinances: h. 20-21: Obstructing Law Enforcement Officer or Firefighter i. 20-22: Resisting Arrest. j. 20-41: Definition ("Obstruct"). k. 20-42: Disorderly Conduct. l. 20-43: Failure to Disperse. m. 20-44: Obstructing Public Ways. n. 20-45: Refusing Lawful Request to Move. o. 20-47: Disrupting Meeting or Procession. p. 20-48: Unlawful Assembly. q. 20-49: Displays Inciting Riot or Race Hatred. II. **Petition Circulation/Signature Gathering** G. Whenever possible, disputes between petition circulators and property managers will be mediated. If mediation is unsuccessful, the responding officer will notify their supervisor. 5. Officers will not consider the content of a petition when mediating a dispute in such cases. **REFERENCES:** **A. Previous OPD Orders** A. Previous OPD General Orders include: \#24-07 and \#37-17. B. OPS 2-3-3.