Rep. Brostoff Statement on Introduction of LRB-3297

MILWAUKEE – In response to the circulation for co-sponsorship earlier today of LRB-3297, relating to eliminating governmental immunity for populous cities for certain actions involving law enforcement, indemnification for law enforcement officers in certain actions, and requiring certain maintenance of police staffing in populous cities, State Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement:

“I don’t even know where to begin with this terrible bill. It’s an insult to the families of those impacted by police brutality, to those who have been marching for justice and demanding change, and to our communities. On top of that, it’s as malicious in intent as it would be harmful in practice; it would allow corrupt cops to continue to violate constitutional rights with impunity while undermining local control over decisions relating to law enforcement in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Kenosha. And for it to come from a snake oil salesman of a politician, who proudly trumpets his ‘libertarian’ and ‘constitutional’ values while cameras roll only to take every opportunity to sell out actual libertarianism and individual constitutional rights with his actions is about as typical an example of an elitists, out of touch politician as there is.

This proposal disingenuously and insultingly masks itself in the language of reform, but the outcome would be the exact opposite. It doubles down on insulating the worst parts of a system that’s produced police brutality and corruption. Additionally, far from advancing a meaningful conversation on reforming the immunity and indemnification granted to police officers. Don’t just take my word for it; the co-sponsorship memo specifically highlights that this proposal would not address the unjust doctrine that allows police to not be held accountable for their actions. Furthermore, he makes it very clear that this proposal would not remove qualified immunity as other states have rightly done.

Instead of actually engaging with reform-minded voices, the bill author has decided to stick his finger in the eye of anyone who would imagine a more just future. I will do everything I can to not only prevent a disaster like this proposal from moving forward, but I will continue to advocate for substantive and meaningful reforms like AB 186, and the multiple other justice-oriented reforms introduced by myself and my colleagues this Session.”

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.