Number
200493
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. LEWIS
Title
Substitute resolution urging the Fire and Police Commission to adopt a rule prohibiting Police Department use of military-grade equipment for crowd control or dispersal.
Analysis
This resolution urges the Fire and Police Commission to adopt a rule prohibiting Police Department use of military-grade equipment for crowd control or dispersal.
Military-grade equipment is defined as any weapon or equipment typically employed by military entities in the course of armed conflict or for protection during armed threat, including, but not limited to:
Armored personnel carriers. Flashbang grenades.
Grenade launchers. Arms to fire rubber or plastic bullets.
Rubber or plastic bullets. Tear gas.
Heavy body armor. Ballistic/riot shields or helmets.
Batons. Assault or sniper rifles.
Submachine guns. Long range acoustic devices (sound cannons).
Heavy entry tools. Advanced night vision optics.
The request does not apply to use of military-grade equipment by a police officer under diligent supervision in the course of executing the officer’s daily, routine peacekeeping duties.
Body
Whereas, The deployment of military-grade equipment by police departments in response to peaceful gatherings to protest social and racial injustices is often seen as an overreaction by those gathering and can create a climate of mistrust and animosity; and
Whereas, The mere knowledge that the police have military-grade equipment in reserve ready to quickly deploy can similarly create an atmosphere of tension and foreboding among those gathered; and
Whereas, The deployment, or the mere presence in reserve, of military-grade equipment can incite the violent clashes between police and protesters this equipment is intended to prevent or quell; and
Whereas, Prohibiting the use of military-grade equipment for crowd control or dispersal will encourage the police department to develop less confrontational, less indiscriminate, more humane, more equitable and more effective tactics for crowd management; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Fire and Police Commission is urged to adopt a rule prohibiting Police Department use military-grade equipment for crowd control or dispersal; and be it
Further Resolved, Military-grade equipment subject to this resolution shall be any weapon or equipment typically employed by military entities in the course of armed conflict or for protection during armed threat, including, but not limited to:
Armored personnel carriers. Flashbang grenades.
Grenade launchers. Arms to fire rubber or plastic bullets.
Rubber or plastic bullets. Tear gas.
Heavy body armor. Ballistic/riot shields or helmets.
Batons. Assault or sniper rifles.
Submachine guns. Long range acoustic devices (sound cannons).
Heavy entry tools. Advanced night vision optics.
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the request does not apply to use of military-grade equipment by a police officer under diligent supervision in the course of executing the officer’s daily, routine peacekeeping duties.
Requester
Drafter
LRB 176226 - 2
Aaron Cadle
September 1, 2020