Office of the Chief of Police

This Office of the Chief of Police is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the Police Department. The Chief of Police, Wayne D. Hudson, is committed to providing a staff that is dedicated to continuous improvement and ongoing community relations through education and training of both its officers and the citizens.

Chief Wayne D. Hudson began his law enforcement career as a Security Police Specialist in the United States Air Force serving from 1986-1992.  He started his civilian law enforcement career in 1994 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO).  In 1995 he was able to obtain a full-time position with the agency.  He rose through the ranks to Sergeant in 1998, Lieutenant in 2005, Captain in 2013, and Chief Deputy Sheriff in 2021.  His leadership experience includes the areas of managing patrol deployment, emergency management, fiscal management, human resources, policy development, project management, strategic planning, employee development, public relations, community engagement, court security, building security, and school resources.

During his tenure with the DCSO his assignments included Criminal Investigation Bureau, Uniform Patrol, the County Court Division, District Court Division, Entrance Screening Division, Front Desk Division, Court Services Bureau, Administrative Services Bureau, Rapid Deployment Unit, and the CALEA Division.

Chief Hudson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 234th Session and various management and leadership schools.  He is a past President of the Metropolitan Chiefs Association.  His professional organizational memberships includes the National Organization for Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) where he is an alumna of the Chief Executive Officer Mentoring Program, past board member for the Black Police Officer’s Association (BPOA) of Omaha, Women Center for Advancement (WCA), and 100 Black Men of Omaha.  He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 

Chief Hudson has been recognized for his community work by being selected as the Douglas County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream award recipient, Urban League Leadership Award in Government, 2021 Inductee to the Northwest High School Hall of Fame for community service and community engagement, NAACP Freedom Fighter Award recipient, and BLOC 50 Over 50 Community Service Award recipient.  He firmly believes that the community is at its best when law enforcement and the community work in collaboration to solve criminal justice issues.