IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
200496
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS, RAINEY, LEWIS, STAMPER, II AND KOVAC
Title
Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for federal legislation requiring federal law enforcement officers to wear visible identification markers while on duty.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s support for U.S. House bill, known as the Law Enforcement Identification Transparency Act of 2020, requiring federal law enforcement officers to wear visible identification markers while on duty.
The resolution further directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby for passage of this bill.
Body
Whereas, The federal government has deployed federal law enforcement officers to Portland, Oregon, without being requested to do so by the City of Portland or the State of Oregon, ostensibly to protect federal property and maintain order; and
Whereas, There are reports these federal law enforcement officers have confronted persons gathered together to protest social injustice and racism without identifying themselves as federal officers or expressing their intent; and
Whereas, There are reports these federal law enforcement officers wearing desert camouflage have used unmarked vehicles to remove persons gathered together to protest social injustice and racism in Portland without identifying themselves, detaining and interrogating these persons without explanation; and
Whereas, President Donald Trump has indicated an intention to possibly deploy federal law enforcement officers to other cities if he deems it necessary to protect federal property and maintain order; and
Whereas, The reported actions of the federal law enforcement officers in Portland impinge the personal liberties of persons gathered together to protest social injustice and racism; and
Whereas, According to the White House website, President Trump and the Department of Justice plan to deploy federal law enforcement officers to Milwaukee, Detroit and Cleveland in the near future; and
Whereas, U.S. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Eleanor Homes Norton, D-D.C., have introduced a bill entitled the Law Enforcement Identification Transparency Act of 2020 to require federal law enforcement officers to wear visible identification markers while on duty; and
Whereas, The intent of this bill is to put an end to the encroachments on personal liberties evident in Portland, and possible encroachments on personal liberties across the country if federal law enforcement officers are similarly deployed to other cities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee that the City of Milwaukee supports passage of the Law Enforcement Identification Transparency Act of 2020, and urges both houses of Congress and the President to quickly move its provisions into law; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby for passage of this bill; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall provide a certified copy of this resolution to all members of the City of Milwaukee's delegation to the United States Congress.
Drafter
LRB 176239-1
Aaron Cadle
July 24, 2020