OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — After 25 years serving the Omaha community, Lt. Darci Tierney is retiring from the Omaha Police Department. Lt. Sherie Thomas will step in as the replacement, overseeing the Public Information Office.
A press release from the Omaha Police Department says Lt. Tierney showed incredible leadership, strong police and community relations, and built productive partnerships with local media throughout her tenure. For the past 11 years, she oversaw the Public Information Office, working on public/media relations, social media, and OPD'S Crime Stoppers Program.
She brought the program into the social media age, expanding communication with community members.
“It is imperative the Omaha Police Department has an open, working relationship with the public and the media is the public’s platform inside OPD. Darci has been instrumental in forging media relationships and guiding the media strategy for the Omaha Police Department. She also spearheaded the Omaha Police Department’s entrance into social media and its powerful reach into our community. I will personally miss her expertise and counsel. We wish her the best in retirement and we deeply thank her for her giant contribution to the Omaha community," said Chief Todd Schmaderer in the press release.
Lt. Sherie Thomas will step into Lt. Tierney's role to oversee the Public Information Office. Lt. Thomas was previously assigned to the Professional Oversight Bureau-Internal Affairs Unit, overseeing the process of investigation for citizen complaints and internal investigations.
Lt. Thomas is a coach for PACE baseball, mentoring young women who attend Parrish Alternative School. She also served as the Vice-President of the Black Police Officers Association of Omaha from 2013-2017, currently serving as secretary. Her excessive community experience makes her an ideal match for this position.
“I am excited to introduce the public to Darci’s replacement- Lt. Sherie Thomas. I am confident she will continue the open message of the Omaha Police Department and instill her own improvements to our Public Information Office. Time and time again, I have been impressed with her leadership and communication style. My belief is the public will get to know her and feel the same," said Chief Schmaderer in the press release.
