Author: Jessica Gregory

The Wisconsin Professional Police Association revealed their reform initiative Wednesday hoping to appease unrestful Wisconsinites calling for governmental change to policing practices.

Titled A Blueprint for Change: Opportunities to Evolve Policing in Wisconsin, the proposals are split into four target categories, Training and Standards, Oversight and Accountability, Community Engagement and Innovation and Officer Wellness.

The executive summary states that the contents will benefit both the public and law enforcement by jumpstarting action and discussion.

Created in conjunction by law enforcement, lawmakers and community interest groups, the Blueprint includes a few proposals that have been widely discussed by the public. The Blueprint proposes eliminating chokeholds and requiring yearly de-escalation training aligning with policing reform bills made by Gov. Evers. 

Alternatively, some of the points in the Blueprint may meet opposition as some initiatives require increased funding, like the “Community Policing Grant Program”.

On Monday, Gov. Tony Evers held a special session on police reform and training. Evers wrote nine bills early this summer that directly address police's use-of-force techniques and other protocols. Lawmakers are not forced to vote or debate on any of the bills and did not do so at the special session this week.