Wausau Police Chief Issues Statement in Response to Video Involving Officers and a Group of Teenagers

Tuesday, August 18th, 2026 -- 1:00 PM

(Desiree Fischer, WSAW) Wausau Police Chief Matt Barnes has issued a statement in response to public criticism regarding a recent incident involving Wausau police officers and a group of teenagers.

According to Desiree Fischer with WSAW, in a post on the department’s Facebook page, Chief Barnes explains he’s aware of online commentary and criticism in response to a social media post that contains video of Wausau officers using force while arresting several teenagers.

Barnes says the video shared on social media is a small portion of the interaction between officers and what he calls a group of intoxicated teenagers. Barnes says important context and details are missing and the entire incident lasted about 90 minutes.

Barnes goes on to explain the officers were dealing with 11 intoxicated teenagers. Some were disrespectful, argumentative, vulgar, physically resisted arrest and assaulted an officer.

Barnes says he’s reviewed the officers’ body camera footage in its entirety and supports his officers’ actions. He says the officers acted appropriately, within policy, and according to their training.

“Our officers seek voluntary compliance whenever they can. They don’t want to use force. The officers in this incident made numerous attempts to deescalate the situation and gave the group multiple opportunities to cooperate and avoid additional consequences,” Barnes wrote in his post. 

A petition circulating on the website Change.org is demanding enhanced de-escalation and restraint training for Wausau police officers. The petition states a male officer used excessive force against a 15-year-old girl, causing physical injuries.

The petition goes on to say the officer continued to kneel on the girl’s back after she was handcuffed. “We call upon the Wausau Police Department and the city officials to implement mandatory, comprehensive de-escalation and crisis intervention training for ALL police officers.

This training should focus on strategies for redirecting and properly restraining without causing harm to adults, youth, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing crises,” the petition reads in part.

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