Ald. Nikiya Dodd
Press Release

Council passes resolution seeking greater accountability for officers involved in homicides

 

By - Jun 16th, 2020 03:05 pm

During today’s meeting of the Common Council (Tuesday, June 16) the Council adopted file # 200197 – a resolution directing the Department of Administration – Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation ensuring greater accountability and transparency for police officers involved in homicides whether  on- or off- duty. The resolution was sponsored by Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd and co-sponsored by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Nik Kovac, and Alderman Cavalier Johnson.

“I introduced this resolution because at the end of the day we need to do everything we can to make sure our constituents feel safe and they know officers will be held accountable for their actions, particularly those that result in loss of life,” said Alderwoman Dodd. “The people have made their voices heard and the time for real police reform is now. This is just one piece of the larger puzzle, but it is a step forward toward rebuilding public trust with the knowledge that officers will face the stiffest consequences for their actions in instances of homicide.”

The resolution goes on to state that greater accountability and transparency can include; Amending s. 62.50, Wis. Stats., to allow the City to suspend a police officer without pay if the suspension arises from conduct for which the officer has been charged with a serious felony, seeking authority for the City to require reimbursement of salary paid to a police officer while suspended if the police officer is convicted of a serious felony in relation to the suspension, or amending s. 175.47, Wis. Stats., to require that any officer-involved death be investigated by an outside agency, regardless of whether the officer is on- or off-duty at the time of the incident.

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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