Number
181220
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS, STAMPER, LEWIS AND PEREZ
Title
Substitute resolution urging the Chief of Police to develop metrics for measuring the effectiveness of the Police Department’s training programs related to interactions with the public, and to present the plan to the Common Council by June 30, 2019.
Analysis
This resolution urges the Chief of Police, in cooperation with the Fire and Police Commission, to develop metrics for measuring the effectiveness of the Police Department’s training programs related to interactions with the public, and to present the plan to the Common Council by June 30, 2019.
Body
Whereas, Police Department officer recruits undergo over 1,000 hours of training in a variety of topics prior to graduation, and training continues after graduation throughout a sworn officer’s career; and
Whereas, Some of the training that both recruits and officers receive addresses how Department members interact with the public on a daily basis; and
Whereas, Despite this training, there have been instances in Milwaukee in which police officers acted in ways that did not meet department standards, resulting in inappropriate interactions with members of the public; and
Whereas, Inappropriate interactions between police officers and members of the public have in some cases led to lawsuits and financial settlements which have burdened the City, and are also part of the reason why police officers are now required to wear body cameras to record certain interactions with the public; and
Whereas, Improved training that is more closely aligned with evolving issues of police-public relations may improve police-public interactions and help to avoid the types of negative interactions that can lead to poor community relations, inappropriate behavior and lawsuits; and
Whereas, In order to determine what areas of training need to be improved, where gaps in training exist, and topics for future training as relations between the police and the public evolve, metrics should be developed to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the training police officers receive; and
Whereas, It is hoped that through the development and implementation of police department training metrics in relation to police interactions with the public, the quality of training will be improved and adherence to such training will have a positive effect on police community relations and provide for improved, positive interactions between police personnel and the public on a daily basis; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Chief of Police is urged to develop, in cooperation with the Fire and Police Commission, metrics for measuring the effectiveness of the Police Department’s training programs related to interactions with the public; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Chief of Police is urged to present a plan for measuring the effectiveness of these training programs to the Common Council by June 30, 2019.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB172883-2
Dana J. Zelazny
December 17, 2018