Number
200267
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. RAINEY, JOHNSON, KOVAC, STAMPER, HAMILTON, DODD, AND LEWIS
Title
Resolution urging the Fire and Police Commission to adopt a rule requiring police officers to file a report every time they draw a gun, mace, or stun gun on duty.
Analysis
This resolution urges that the Fire and Police Commission adopt a rule requiring police officers to file a report every time they draw a gun, mace, or stun gun while on duty, even if the item is not used. The report should include demographic information, including race, of the individual against whom the weapon was drawn.
Body
Whereas, Ongoing Black Lives Matter protests indicate a strong public perception that police officers use excessive force on Black and other people of color at a higher percentage than on their white counterparts; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Police Department claims this perception is false while also shielding information from the public that would counter this perception; and
Whereas, Gathering statistical information regarding police use of force will enable the Police Department to better provide information to the public the Police Department is charged with serving and protecting; and
Whereas, Filing incident reports serve a dual role of holding people accountable and requiring them to give additional thought to the incident they are reporting; and
Whereas, Knowing that a report will need to be provided serves the function of giving an officer the opportunity to think twice before acting;
Whereas, It is the role of the Fire and Police Commission to investigate officer misconduct; and
Whereas, Providing these reports would give the Fire and Police Commission an additional tool for conducting investigations; 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 requiring police officers to file a report every time they draw a gun, mace, or stun gun on duty; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the report should be filed regardless of whether the weapon was used; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the report should include demographic information, including race, of the individual against whom the weapon was drawn.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 176141-1
Tea B. Norfolk
6/12/2020