Supervisor Bowen Commends Committee for Moving Forward with Reform to Medical Examiner Policy

Supervisor David Bowen, District 10, is commending his legislative colleagues after the Committee of Judiciary, Safety and General of the Milwaukee County Board passed a resolution directing new procedure for the Medical Examiner in cases involving death of a person in law enforcement custody.

“I’d like to thank several of my colleagues and the Committee of Judiciary, Safety and General Services for taking a step forward to prevent the factors that contributed to the Medical Examiner’s Office to change the cause of death in the high-profile, Derek Williams case,” said Supervisor Bowen.

The Medical Examiner’s office initially ruled that Williams died of natural causes. A revised ruling maintains the cause of Williams’ death as sickle cell crisis but changes the manner from natural to homicide due to “flight from and altercation with police.”

“I applaud the Medical Examiner for putting into practice a number of the proposed changes even prior to the creation of the resolution,” noted Supervisor Bowen. “It is our goal to make sure that these suggested changes are enforced with policy where possible and not negatively impact the national accreditation of our Medical Examiner’s Office.”

The legislation approved in Committee recommends several key changes, including: All cases of death in custody of law enforcement will be subject to a peer review involving the Medical Examiner; The Medical Examiner or staff investigator must request any and all reports available from known or involved agencies; and The Medical Examiner or staff investigator must also request and all available audio or video recordings.

“I’m confident that we can get this done and let the residents know that we are addressing their concerns to create honest and transparent accountability in our departments to honor all of our citizens whom we are privileged to serve,” said Supervisor Bowen. “I encourage my counterparts in City of Milwaukee government to do the same in the spirit of accountability.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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