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International police association with deep Wisconsin ties spreads claim that BLM activists are ‘terrorists’
An international law enforcement association sent a research document to thousands of members this fall that called Black Lives Matter protesters “terrorists” who work with gangs and drug cartels to engage in “urban guerrilla” warfare. That organization, the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), has deep ties to Wisconsin law enforcement — including […]
Wauwatosa police shooting rekindles tensions in suburb
A fresh officer-involved-shooting in Wauwatosa drew questions and protest overnight on Dec. 10. Right in the heart of the Wauwatosa village, which is sometimes called the city’s downtown area, the shooting involved a woman who was later taken to the hospital. Wauwatosa officers responded to a reported fight between two women. Police stated that one […]
Hunger strikes and other tactics emerge from Wisconsin prisons
If you’re in prison, it’s not just the likelihood of being exposed to COVID-19 that weighs on you. While you wait to see whether you’ll develop symptoms, there isn’t much else to do. As part of the Department of Corrections (DOC) strategy to limit the virus’ spread among incarcerated people, many things which may have […]
When police data extraction meets Black Lives Matter protests
“It was shocking really,” Attorney Lee Schuchart told Wisconsin Examiner, as he recalled grappling with the implications of how police had extracted data from his client’s cell phone, saved it for two months after closing their investigation, and then passed it off to another agency. “It was chilling, it was mind-blowing. I don’t think anybody […]
Is Wisconsin’s pandemic prison population going down quickly enough?
Granting compassionate release and clemency remains a focal point issue for incarceration activists across the state. Wisconsin’s rate of COVID-19 infection remains stubbornly high, and those held in its prisons are particularly vulnerable. According to the Department of Corrections (DOC), 14 incarcerated people have died of causes related to COVID-19. Over 7,900 in all have […]
House of Representatives passes cannabis decriminalization
The U.S. House of Representatives is experiencing a milestone moment with the passage of a Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. The legislation aims to end the federal prohibition on cannabis, which has also contributed to systemic racial injustice. “Passage of the MORE Act in the House charts a path to repair and redress […]
Emails raise questions about the independence of police shooting investigations
In the Milwaukee area, investigations into police shootings are handled by a network of detectives, supervisors, and other personnel from every nearby municipality. Dubbed the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team (MAIT), it replaced the state Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in 2016 as the main entity handling the area’s officer-involved shootings. Rather than requesting help from […]
Tosa PD found ‘significant training issues’ in the Anderson shooting
“I have identified two significant training issues regarding this incident,” reads a version of the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) administrative review of Jay Anderson’s shooting by the Officer Joseph Mensah, who resigned on Nov. 30. The review, conducted by supervisors within the department, is part of a trove of emails obtained through recent open records requests. […]
ACLU calls Tosa PD discussion of high records fees ‘unlawful’
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin has issued a series of statements condemning an internal email sent by personnel at the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) in 2016. Sent from Detective John Milotzky, who also serves as president of the Wauwatosa Peace Officers Association (WPOA), the email discusses the possibility of charging high fees […]
Advocates say the recount is part of a pattern of undervaluing minority votes
As Milwaukee and Dane County head into day six of the vote recount, local officials remain confident that the election’s outcome will remain the same. Still, voters and citizens in Wisconsin’s most diverse counties express disappointment at being targeted for a recount and unsubstantiated allegations of fraud. Angelito Tenorio, a City of West Allis alderman […]
Internal email suggests Tosa PD use high fees to ‘combat’ records requests
The investigation into the second fatal shooting involving Wauwatosa police officer Joseph Mensah was over, and people had filed open records requests for Mensah’s personnel file. Then, two days after the shooting was cleared by the District Attorney’s office, Milotzky would send out a telling email. “I spoke with Attny. Cermele about it,” John Milotzky, […]
Officer Mensah’s resignation raises questions, invigorates ongoing protests
Joseph Mensah is set to resign from the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD), but the movement calling for the department to be held accountable for its policies continues to push for change. Mensah, who’s been involved in three fatal police shootings over the past five years, agreed to resign after finalizing a separation agreement with the […]