Lincoln Police Cruiser (Jeff Motz/KFOR News)LINCOLN–(KFOR June 12)–Advocates for All Nebraskans said in a news release on Thursday it will circulate petitions to force the city of Lincoln to have a mandate of least 450 police officers over the next two years. They want Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the City Council to establish a minimum staffing level of sworn police officers. The campaign says this would be at least 80 officers more than Lincoln’s current police force. The ordinance language says this increased Lincoln Police Department force would “guarantee emergency response capabilities and public safety coverage.” Advocates for All Nebraskans got the petition process rolling this week to coincide with the unveiling Monday of Mayor Gaylor Baird’s 2026-28 biennial budget. “We met with the Lincoln Police Union leaders and membership, to engage them before submitting the petition language,” said Tom Nesbitt, who retired from the Nebraska State Patrol as superintendent in 2005. “They are extremely appreciative to see the community step up and Back the Blue, to force real, mathematical benchmarks. Our circulators will be asking a very simple question to the taxpayers of Lincoln: Do YOU Back the Blue? Is public safety a principle you believe the City of Lincoln should prioritize?” The news release said the mayor’s biennial budget proposal would need to be expanded by about $12.5 million for the city to be able to staff 450 officers. “Our objective has never waivered, we will advocate for all Nebraskans and we will continue to go to the people until lawmakers represent them,” said Eric Underwood, Authorized Agent and Principal Contact for the initiative. “Today, we are moving from the statewide arena to a singular, focused, local mission. The City of Lincoln prioritizing Public Safety makes Nebraska even better. The timing of the Mayor’s budget presentation works perfectly in our favor because the hard numbers expose the real priorities of city hall.” Advocates for All Nebraskans argues the mayor’s two-year budget proposal prioritizes “discretionary vanity” and “luxury” infrastructure over public safety staffing.     ...read more read less