Number
200292
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. JOHNSON
Title
Resolution urging the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to collaborate with the Police Department to engage with community leaders to rebuild trust and discuss community-oriented strategies to addressing local civil unrest.
Analysis
This resolution urges the Fire and Police Commission to work with the Milwaukee Police Department to rebuild trust and engage with local leaders to discuss the Standard Operating Procedure related to civil unrest (SOP 910 - Civil Disturbance and Crowd Management) and community-oriented strategies to address periods of unrest.
Body
Whereas, Demonstrators around the nation have gathered to protest the actions of law enforcement in the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the treatment of people of color by law enforcement in general; and
Whereas, Demonstrators have likewise repeatedly come together in Milwaukee to march and peacefully protest to demand change in the treatment of people of color by law enforcement; and
Whereas, On occasion, protests in Milwaukee have been followed by periods of civil unrest, as well as confrontations between demonstrators and members of the Police Department; and
Whereas, In recent confrontations, the Police Department has used force against individual protesters, as well as deploying smoke, tear gas, and rubber bullets at crowds; and
Whereas, Use of force against protesters and other crowd control tactics reinforces negative perceptions of both protesters and law enforcement, and contributes to distrust between members of under-represented communities and law enforcement; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Police Department’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 910, “Civil Disturbance and Crowd Management”, establishes guidelines for managing crowds, protecting individual rights, and preserving the peace during demonstrations and civil disturbances; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Fire and Police Commission is urged to work with the Milwaukee Police Department to rebuild trust and engage with local leaders to discuss the Standard Operating Procedure related to civil unrest (SOP 910 - Civil Disturbance and Crowd Management) and community-oriented strategies to address periods of unrest; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Fire and Police Commission is urged to present a plan for implementing community-oriented strategies for addressing periods of unrest to the Common Council within 6 months of adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
Dana J. Zelazny
LRB176125-1
June 17, 2020