Statement from ACLU of Wisconsin on MPD’s Covered Nametags at Protest
This is a flagrant violation of an MPD policy that is already weak and rarely enforced.
Statement from Chris Ahmuty, ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director:
Today, the ACLU of Wisconsin expressed concern that once again the Milwaukee Police are covering up their name tags for no good reason, contrary to department policy, and hindering any efforts at increased transparency in the process. This kind of behavior will do nothing but draw even clearer lines of division between the MPD and the community it purports to serve.
As evidenced by Sunday’s police show of force at UW-Milwaukee, individual police officers and the major incident response team (MIRT) too often cover up their name tags while deployed in public. This is a flagrant violation of an MPD policy that is already weak and rarely enforced.
When Milwaukeeans are peacefully exercising their rights to free speech and assembly, the MPD should do everything in its power to refrain from intimidating members of the public from expressing themselves. By covering up their nametags, the officers communicated an implicit threat that they may engage in practices for which they do not want to be held accountable.
The ACLU of Wisconsin urges the MPD to better train and supervise its officers, including those assigned to demonstrations protected by the First Amendment, to maintain transparency and avoid sending harmful messages to the public.
Statement from ACLU of Wisconsin on MPD’s Covered Nametags at Protest
Statement from Chris Ahmuty, ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director:
Today, the ACLU of Wisconsin expressed concern that once again the Milwaukee Police are covering up their name tags for no good reason, contrary to department policy, and hindering any efforts at increased transparency in the process. This kind of behavior will do nothing but draw even clearer lines of division between the MPD and the community it purports to serve.
As evidenced by Sunday’s police show of force at UW-Milwaukee, individual police officers and the major incident response team (MIRT) too often cover up their name tags while deployed in public. This is a flagrant violation of an MPD policy that is already weak and rarely enforced.
When Milwaukeeans are peacefully exercising their rights to free speech and assembly, the MPD should do everything in its power to refrain from intimidating members of the public from expressing themselves. By covering up their nametags, the officers communicated an implicit threat that they may engage in practices for which they do not want to be held accountable.
The ACLU of Wisconsin urges the MPD to better train and supervise its officers, including those assigned to demonstrations protected by the First Amendment, to maintain transparency and avoid sending harmful messages to the public.
The ACLU of Wisconsin is a non-profit, non-partisan, private organization whose 7,000 members support its efforts to defend the civil rights and liberties of all Wisconsin residents. For more on the ACLU of Wisconsin, visit our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @ACLUofWisconsin and @ACLUMadison.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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