OMAHA- In 2018, and according to the Omaha Police Department's Safety Review Board, it was decided unanimously that former president of Omaha's Police Union Sgt. Aaron Hanson used excessive force when he kneed on an already-handcuffed Omaha man. The board recommended a low-level punishment for the offense.

However, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer overruled the board, a move that he has only made twice in his career. The Police Chief deemed Hanson's use of force "justified."

The 2018 issue, resurfaced this year during the contentious race between Hanson and deputy police chief Greg Gonzalez. Hanson said that the move was orchestrated by Gonzalez's team to win political points.

John Wells, current Police Union president, said, "They're trying to politicize an incident for gain and to take Aaron Hanson down."

Omaha Police officials questioned the accuracy of Gonzalez's version of the 2018 event, and plan to open a theft investigation after learning that The Reader and Flatwater Free Press obtained dashcam footage and documentation of the incident.

Gonzalez and his team believe the review board's ruling matters in the upcoming election. Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha held a similar sentiment, stating, "I don't think the police can police themselves. If the chief is going to overturn a situation like this, what else has he overturned?"

In the obtained dashcam footage, Hanson is seen kneeing a handcuffed suspect in the leg until he "crumpled" to the ground. Hanson, along with Schmaderer and despite the rulings of the review board, says his actions were justified.

George Merithew, a former member of the review board, stated, "While animated the subject did not become verbally abusive toward Sgt. Hanson until after Sgt. Hanson struck the subject. It appears that Sgt. Hanson lost his temper and attacked the subject."

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