MPS Statement on Status of School Resource Officer Program
(MILWAUKEE) — Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is ready to implement a School Resource Officer (SRO) program as soon as officers are available. MPS has taken Act 12 very seriously from the beginning, engaging with city partners to build a sustainable SRO program.
This week, MPD and MPS agreed upon the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement facilitates the implementation of the SRO program, which is a result of 2023 Act 12. Act 12 was negotiated by the City of Milwaukee and included a provision to levy a sales tax to direct funding to increase public safety personnel in the city of Milwaukee. The new sales tax went into effect on January 1, 2024. MPS is not a recipient of these funds.MPS looks forward to working with MPD to begin the process to select and train officers who are committed to improving relationships among schools, law enforcement, youth, and the greater community.
The district has already met with the mayor and police chief and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders. MPS is committed to reaching a consensus that will support the successful implementation of Act 12 in a manner that is sustainable and mutually beneficial.
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.
More about the MPS School Resource Office Debate
- MPS Students Say School Police Are Policing More Than Crimes - Devin Blake - Mar 5th, 2026
- Assembly Passes Bill That Adds Penalties, Definitions to Police-in-MPS Policy - Anya van Wagtendonk - Mar 14th, 2025
- Rep. Donovan’s Public Safety Bills Pass Assembly - State Rep. Bob Donovan - Mar 13th, 2025
- Council Approves MPS Police Officer Agreement, But Money Still An Issue - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 4th, 2025
- Judge Fines City For Failing To Comply With MPD in Schools Requirement - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 27th, 2025
- City Requests Delay for Police in Schools - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 26th, 2025
- Judge Rules MPS, City Must Split School Police Costs 50/50 - Graham Kilmer - Feb 17th, 2025
- Murphy’s Law: MPS, City Feud Over Paying School Resource Officers - Bruce Murphy - Feb 12th, 2025
- Judge Rules MPS Must Bring Police Officers Into Schools - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 23rd, 2025
- K-12 Education: Studies Show Police in Schools Don’t Make Them Safer - Terry Falk - Jan 20th, 2025
Read more about MPS School Resource Office Debate here
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Funny how the Wisconsin Legislature thinks the the kids in Milwaukee need the police in their schools and NOT therapy for the socially unacceptable behavior that they are being asked to deal with. Maybe the police could be trained in asking the kids that are having problems what is going on in their lives and then to find programs that can help them. A positive role for the police and a true help to the kids. This could be a beginning of a redirection of policing which will benefit the kids and the community. 25 police officers who are paid better than teachers. Oh the “wisdom” of our legislators. (oh that right Republican Legislators)
You are so right Thomas! We do not need officers in schools to drive the school to prison pipeline. Officers are not trained to manage the social/emotional needs of children nor, as you say, to find and support programs for these kids. Keep the police on the outside of the schools where they belong–not in the halls where it only exacerbates the problems between police and students of color. Taxpayer money is better spent on adding therapists to our schools–not police.