Ald. Chantia Lewis
Press Release

Council passes legislation creating the MPD Diversion Task Force

Statement of Alderwoman Chantia Lewis March 23, 2021

By - Mar 23rd, 2021 04:20 pm

Today the Common Council passed a file that creates the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) Diversion Task Force with the goal of creating a master plan for responding to calls for service that do not involve threats to public safety. I want to thank my colleagues for supporting this file as we work toward creating a reimagined policing system that benefits all residents citywide.

This task force is the next step in the process started last year when the Council adopted a resolution establishing an unarmed first responder program. The master plan created by the MPD Diversion Task Force will follow the criteria set forth in that resolution. Namely, this involves creation of a plan for responding to calls for service that do not involve threats to public safety, particularly for those involving persons experiencing mental health, substance abuse or homelessness crises, with trained, unarmed first responders. I’m proud to have been the lead sponsor on both of these files.

The task force will consist of 17 members all with a diverse skill set and background. Among those on the task force will be: three Council members, the Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission, the Director of Emergency Management and Communications, two members from each of the fire and police departments, two members employed by Milwaukee County, two members of the community, and two members with research and academic experience.

I look forward to this task force getting up and running in the near future and reviewing their findings and recommendations later this year.

Our community deserves an equitable policing system, and this helps get us one step closer to achieving that goal.

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.

Comments

  1. maryglass says:

    3-24-21

    MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT Task Force for responding to Call for Service that do not involve threats to public safety and a NEWLY proposed OVERSIGHT GROUP.

    The “REIMAGING DECISION MAKERS” must provide “transformative”, “historic”, and “TRUSTWORTHINESS” in any changes this group will provide the 96.8 sq. mi. CORE CONSTITUENTS – AFRICAN AMERICANS, OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR, and Work Challenged MILWAUKEEANS.

    Members
    Since APPOINTMENTS by CHARTER OFFICERS (mayor, CC president, and committee heads) are “suspect” – lack TRANSPARENCY, reak of CRONYISM, lack appropriate training from the jump OFF, lack timely monitored ACCOUNTABILITY, and fail to provide to the public square monthly REPORTS – It is paramount that MPA-LLC THRIVE MKE 96.8 sq. mi. SHARE our SWOT analysis for MILWAUKEEANS upfront.

    It will include:

    – KYLE MIREHOUSE and DEANNE CRISWELL, FEMA.

    – EUGENE SPERLING, COVID RESCUE
    PLAN CZAR

    – MERRICK GARLAND, U.S. ATTORNEY
    GENERAL

    – MARCIA FUDGE, HUD

    The TASK FORCE members are not to be appointed by mayor, common council president, and/or committee members.

    3 ADVISORY MEMBERS NEEDED FROM THE CHARTER OFFICERS OF:
    – CITY ATTORNEY (1)
    – COMPTROLLER (1)
    – TREASURER (1)

    CREDIBLE INCLUSION – MORE THAN 17 MEMBERS NEEDED.

    We NEED A CLEAN SWEEP HERE.

    WE WANT “SMART CITY PLANNING” that embraces SMART GROWTH & TECHNOLOGY FOR EACH CENSUS TRACT within the city of MILWAUKEE NEIGHBORHOOD LAB/campuses.

    MORE TO COME.

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