OMAHA — A former central Nebraska police chief faces criminal charges after an incident at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in mid‑July in which he allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct during a college class and was later found in possession of a handgun on campus.
Wayne Alley, 47, of Clay Center, was booked into the Douglas County Jail after turning himself in and has been charged in Douglas County Court with lewd conduct and unlawful possession of a firearm at a school, according to court records and a Douglas County arrest affidavit made public by law enforcement.
What authorities say happened
The affidavit says UNO Police began investigating an incident on July 16 that occurred at the university’s Community Engagement Center. Alley was reportedly attending a class described in the records as relating to human trafficking and child exploitation when he allegedly touched himself inappropriately as graphic subject matter was being presented.
During subsequent contact with university police, Alley was found to be carrying a 9 mm handgun. Court records state his law enforcement certifications are currently suspended and that he did not qualify for any of the statutory exceptions that would permit a person to carry a firearm on school grounds.
Professional background and procedural details
Alley is the former police chief of Harvard, Nebraska; court documents note he resigned from that post in May 2025. After turning himself in this month he was booked and later released from custody, and is next scheduled to appear in Douglas County Court at 9 a.m. Sept. 1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Wayne Alley, 47, Clay Center |
| Location | UNO Community Engagement Center, Omaha |
| Date of alleged incident | July 16, 2026 |
| Charges | Lewd conduct; unlawful possession of a firearm at a school |
| Next court appearance | Sept. 1, 2026, 9 a.m. (Douglas County Court) |
Campus safety and credentialing questions
The case touches on two issues that resonate beyond this single arrest: campus safety and the oversight of sworn officers who attend training and classes on university property. The arrest affidavit explicitly notes that Alley’s certification to serve as a law enforcement officer is suspended, and that he did not meet exceptions that would allow a firearm on school grounds under state law.
University police handle a range of responsibilities that include protecting students and staff during events that bring outside professionals and law enforcement officers to campus. When incidents like this occur, institutions typically review safety protocols for classroom settings and for visitors carrying weapons, especially in spaces where sensitive or graphic material is discussed.
Legal next steps
Alley’s arrest sets in motion standard criminal procedures in Douglas County. Charges of lewd conduct and unlawful possession of a firearm on school property will be prosecuted through the county court system unless dismissed or altered by prosecutors. Alley has been released from custody pending further proceedings, according to court records.
- He faces two misdemeanor-level state charges as listed in the arrest affidavit.
- He is due back in Douglas County Court on Sept. 1 for further proceedings.
- His law enforcement certifications remain suspended, per court paperwork.
This matter remains active and open to additional reporting as court filings and any statements from university or county officials become available. For communities in central Nebraska and on campus, the case is a reminder of the intersecting responsibilities of public safety officials and the institutions that host them.
— Emmett Dvorak, NEXO RADAR
