Number
191436
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
Ald. Coggs, Ald. Lewis, Ald. Stamper, Ald. Hamilton, Ald. Bauman, Ald. Rainey and Ald. Kovac
Title
Resolution directing the Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission to extend trauma-informed care training to all members of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission to extend trauma-informed care training to all members of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Body
Whereas, The 2020 Budget was adopted by Common Council File Number 190001 on November 26, 2019; and
Whereas, Amendment 48A placed a footnote in the Budget stating, “The Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission is directed to expand trauma informed care training to all members of the Milwaukee Police Department”; and
Whereas, Trauma is extreme stress that exceeds a person’s ability to cope; and
Whereas, Many people suffer from psychological trauma, which is damage to the mind that occurs as the result of a highly distressing event; and
Whereas, Trauma-informed care is an approach that acknowledges the neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects of trauma by providing care that understands the particular individual in need of services; and
Whereas, Trauma-informed care recognizes the trauma someone may have suffered in their past and seeks to engage with that person in a thoughtful way; and
Whereas, The five guiding principles of trauma-informed care are safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment; and
Whereas, Trauma-informed care offers those administering care the flexibility to alter policies or procedures in order to minimize barriers that emerge if trauma impairs a person’s ability to access services; and
Whereas, Police officers have often lacked the specialized training to meaningfully respond to individuals exposed to violent and catastrophic events and to connect victims with appropriate services such as mental health resources; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee received a 5-year, $5 million federal grant in 2016 to expand the breadth of trauma-informed care through the Office of Violence Prevention in the Health Department; 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; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission shall extend trauma-informed care training to all members of the Milwaukee Police Department; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission shall update the Common Council on the Commission’s progress of extending trauma-informed-care training to all members of the Milwaukee Police Department within 4 months of the adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB175664-1
Alex Highley
12/11/2019