Reforms recommended by Badger Institute will increase transparency, work opportunities

Wisconsin Assembly passes three police reform bills and expungement reform


** Reforms recommended by Badger Institute will increase transparency, work opportunities
------------------------------------------------------------

CONTACT: Badger Institute Policy Analyst Julie Grace: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or 330-410-6212

The Wisconsin State Assembly yesterday passed three important police reform bills supported by Badger Institute research ([link removed]) . These measures would increase accountability and trust between police departments and the communities they serve by requiring better collection and reporting on use-of-force incidents, publication of use-of-force policies and the sharing of employment files when an officer applies to a new department.

These bipartisan measures already passed the State Senate and are headed to Gov. Tony Evers’s desk.

The Assembly yesterday also passed a bipartisan bill ([link removed]) to reform Wisconsin’s expungement law ([link removed]) that would allow more Wisconsinites to secure employment, housing and education. The legislation awaits consideration in the Senate.

“Our research ([link removed]) shows that police use force infrequently in Wisconsin’s largest cities, but uniform definitions, data and reporting would enhance public understanding of these practices and highlight areas of concern,” said Policy Analyst Julie Grace. “Police play a critical role in maintaining safe communities. These evenhanded reforms will allow them to do their jobs while increasing public confidence in their practices.”

The Badger Institute last summer examined the number of police use-of-force incidents in Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay. Only one in every 29 or 30 arrests in Madison or Milwaukee involved any sort of use of force. In Madison, about 95% of police interactions with citizens did not even result in an arrest.

The Badger Institute also recommended creating a statewide use of force standard and extending Act 10 to police to restore disciplinary responsibility to department leaders and elected officials and to expedite removal of officers who act inappropriately.

“We encourage Gov. Evers to sign these reasonable police reform measures,” said Grace. “At the same time, we encourage the Senate to pass the bipartisan expungement bill. The Assembly’s unanimous support for this measure, along with statewide polling ([link removed]) , demonstrates the widespread support that exists for this reform.”

Grace’s testimony in favor of Assembly Bills 109 and 110 can be found here ([link removed]) , Her testimony in favor of their Senate counterparts, SB 122 and 123 are available here ([link removed]) .
Connect with The Badger Institute
Keep up to date with news and updates by following us on Facebook ([link removed]) and Twitter. ([link removed])
Donate ([link removed])
Our work in advancing free markets, opportunity and prosperity in the Badger State is only made possible by the generous donations of our supporters. The Badger Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. We do not accept any government funding.

We gratefully accept your support at any level. Donate online ([link removed]) or contact Director of Development Angela Smith at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or 414-254-6440.

============================================================
We believe competitive free markets, limited government, private initiative and personal responsibility are essential to our democratic way of life. The Badger Institute is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and does not receive government funding. Our work is funded solely through tax-deductible gifts from foundations, companies and individuals. We appreciate your support.
** Contribute ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 Badger Institute, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:
Badger Institute
700 W. Virginia St., Suite 301
Milwaukee, Wi 53204
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.