Number
251801
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BROWER, DIMITRIJEVIC, ZAMARRIPA, PEREZ, MOORE AND BAUMAN
Title
Substitute resolution relating to law enforcement and constitutional rights.
Analysis
This resolution calls upon the Milwaukee Police Department to protect the rights of community members when they engage in constitutionally protected speech and assembly, and intervene to protect community members if anyone, including other law enforcement agency personnel, attempts to abridge the public’s constitutional rights.
Body
Whereas, There are credible reports that federal law enforcement members are physically assaulting members of the public while they are exercising their constitutionally protected rights to speak and assemble, without probable cause that the victims were engaged in any illegal activity; and
Whereas, Members of law enforcement agencies should not be allowed to break the law or violate the constitution simply because they are employed as law enforcement agents; and
Whereas, All residents of the City of Milwaukee, including immigrants and migrants, contribute to our community; and
Whereas, All people who contribute to our community deserve a police department that defends them from violations of their constitutional rights, even if the individuals depriving their constitutional rights work for another law enforcement agency; and
Whereas, While bringing suit in court is an avenue that can be used to seek redress from constitutional violations, the public also expects that their local police department will actively defend them when their constitutional rights are actively violated; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Police Department has expended tremendous effort to build trust between it and the public it serves, and that trust would be endangered if people are allowed to violate our residents’ constitutional rights without any effort made by our local police department to stop or investigate it; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, That members of the Milwaukee Police Department are called upon to protect the rights of community members when they engage in constitutionally protected speech and assembly, and intervene to protect community members if anyone, including other law enforcement agency personnel, attempts to abridge the public’s constitutional rights.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB181396-2
Dave Gelting
February 16, 2026