IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
200443
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. LEWIS, RAINEY, COGGS, KOVAC, PEREZ, STAMPER, II, AND DODD
Title
Resolution urging the Fire and Police Commission to require members of the Milwaukee Police Department to provide individual business cards when encountering an individual or group of individuals.
Analysis
This resolution urges the Fire and Police Commission to require members of the Milwaukee Police Department to provide business cards to any individual or groups of individuals they encounter during the course of their official duties.
Body
Whereas, Police provide an essential service to our community; and
Whereas, Effective policing is based on community cooperation and trust; and
Whereas, Officers providing their own business cards to members of the public with whom they interact promotes a congenial atmosphere that promotes trust; and
Whereas, Cities including New York, NY, Albany, NY, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR, already require police to provide business cards following a number of different interactions with the public; and
Whereas, The practice of “stop and frisk” has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, including in Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The need for police oversight and accountability has only grown in light of the global, racial-justice protest movement that has arisen in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Eric Garner Michael Brown and other unarmed Black men; and
Whereas, Police working anonymously is antithetical to their role as protectors of American’s constitutional rights; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council urges the Fire and Police Commission to require members of the Milwaukee Police Department to provide their business cards when they encounter an individual or group of individuals; and, be it
Further Resolved, That each business card should include the name, rank and command of the officer and the contact information for the Fire and Police Commission; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council requests the Fire and Police Commission submit a report on its progress within six months of adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 176011-1
Christopher H. Hillard
7/2/2020