OMAHA, Neb. -- Supporters urged the City Council to reinstate the position of public safety auditor Tuesday night during the council's 2009 budget hearing.

Dozens of people, including a University of Nebraska at Omaha professor, members of south and north Omaha community organizations, an antiviolence group and a women's voter group, said a public safety auditor is a necessary oversight in police-community relations.

"It works well. It functions well as a way of dealing with police problems and dealing with incidents of misconduct," said UNO professor Sam Walker.

The position has been vacant since former auditor Tristan Bonn was terminated.

She filed a wrongful termination suit with the Nebraska Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and won.

Bonn and her attorney are still deciding their next action.

Mayor Mike Fahey set aside $125,000 for the position in the 2009 budget.

The council has not yet voted to fund the position.