State Legislators Propose Package of Bills They Say Will Help Retain and Attract Law Enforcement Officers

Wednesday, January 5th, 2022 -- 8:04 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) At the Capitol, Republican legislators propose a package of bills they say will help attract and retain law enforcement officers.

West Allis Police Chief Pat Mitchell said it’s a complicated issue, but the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer has had a definite impact. “The state of Wisconsin has had no time in the past ten years with less law enforcement officers than right now.”

Representative Mark Born said the 25 million dollar package of incentives and grants would be paid for from federal pandemic relief. “We’re confident that this is not only a proper use but a smart use of these funds.” One possible hitch, Democratic Governor Tony Evers determines how those federal funds are allocated.              

West Allis Police Chief Pat Mitchell said it will help. “It’s a very complicated issue, but one of things that has driven it in the past two years is clearly the events in Minneapolis.”

West Allis Police Chief Pat Mitchell said it’s been a tough couple of years, following the police killing of George Floyd. “People who consume the news got it loud and clear. If you’re a responsible parent, you’ve got a 22-year-old child, and you see that law enforcement is no longer honorable because of the actions of one, do you encourage your 22-year-old child to be a police officer? Probably not.”

Rather than tap into the state’s two-and-a-half billion dollar budget surplus, Republicans want to pay for the 25 million dollar package of incentives and grants from federal pandemic relief.

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