Number
120220
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DONOVAN, BOHL, DAVIS and PEREZ
Title
Resolution directing the City Comptroller to conduct an audit of the Police Department's crime-reporting practices.
Analysis
This resolution directs the City Comptroller to conduct an audit of the crime-reporting practices of the Police Department and report his findings to the Common Council within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution.
Body
Whereas, A recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found more than 500 cases in which serious assaults were misclassified by the Milwaukee Police Department as lesser offenses; and
Whereas, The Journal Sentinel review discovered an additional 800 cases since 2009 that follow the same pattern but couldn't be verified with available public records; and
Whereas, According to the Journal Sentinel, there were enough misrepresented cases in 2011 alone that violent crime would have increased 1.1% instead of falling 2.3% from the reported 2010 figures; and
Whereas, Police officials agreed that a sample of assault cases shared by the Journal Sentinel were misreported; and
Whereas, It is of utmost importance to the City to ensure the integrity of crime data compiled by the Police Department, so that such data can be analyzed and used to inform Department management; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council directs the City Comptroller to conduct an audit of the Police Department's crime-reporting practices; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller shall submit a report of his findings to the Common Council within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution.
Drafter
LRB 139577-1
TWM:lp
5/30/2012