Police Practices

Abuse by police continues to be a major civil liberties problem in the U.S., particularly for the poor and for people of color. Everyone needs and deserves effective and humane law enforcement in schools, communities and courtrooms. The ACLU works to address systemic problems in police practices and to educate Americans about their rights when interacting with law enforcement.

Racial Profiling Law Could Have Helped Cops End Biased Policing
Wednesday June 22, 2011
Today Governor Walker signed a bill repealing a law that took effect January 1, 2011 that gave Wisconsin law enforcement managers a new tool to identify biased policing during traffic stops. The new law set up a system to collect traffic stop data and have the Office of Justice Assistance analyze it to determine if minority motorists were being stopped or searched disproportionately compared to non-minority motorists. In response to the repeal of the traffic stop data collection law, the ACLU of Wisconsin will begin an effort to collect the stories from individuals who have experienced biased policing. Read more…
Press Release: 6/22/2011 – Racial Profiling Law Could Have Helped Cops End Biased Policing

UW Milwaukee Police Conduct Report Leaves Unanswered Questions, Says ACLU of WI
Thursday August 26, 2010
On March 4th, students at the UW-Milwaukee campus gathered to rally over the increase of tuition rates. When they took their message to the University's administration building, police and protesters had a confrontation and students were arrested and ticketed. The ACLU of WI called for an investigation to review the use of force by campus police against protesters. However, the partial release of a report on police conduct by law enforcement experts and the Vice Chancellor leaves questions unanswered. “We recognize that officers have a great deal of responsibility and work in often difficult circumstances," said Executive Director Chris Ahmuty. "Difficult circumstances do not diminish their responsibility to use constitutional police methods.” Read more…
Press Release: 8/26/2010 - ACLU of Wisconsin Responds to Partial Release of Report on UW Milwaukee Police Actions During March 4th Incident (PDF)

Milwaukee Alder Donovan’s Ill-Conceived Surveillance Scheme Amateurish
Tuesday August 10, 2010
According to media reports in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and his own press release (PDF), Milwaukee Alderman Robert Donovan has procured a recycled armored truck equipped with surveillance cameras for his crime fighting group “Operation Impact.” The Milwaukee Police Department will accept the vehicle, although they did not ask for it, according to a MPD spokesperson. The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin is concerned that the Alderman appears to be offering his constituents publicity rather than the professional policing they deserve. Read more…
Press Release: 8/10/2010 – ACLU of Wisconsin Calls Ald. Donovan’s Ill-Conceived Surveillance Scheme Amateurish (PDF)

Police GPS Tracking Question Left Unanswered by WI Supreme Court; ACLU Seeks Legislative Response
Tuesday July 20, 2010
On Tuesday July 20th, the Wisconsin Supreme Court sidestepped the question of whether there are any constitutional limits on police use of global positioning system devices to track people in their cars. Instead, the Court decided that a court order obtained by the police in the case of State v. Sveum satisfied the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Wisconsin Constitution. Read more…
Press Release: 7/20/2010 - Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision Leaves Unanswered Questions About GPS Tracking; ACLU Seeks Legislative Response (PDF)

ACLU of Wisconsin introduces Milwaukee and Madison bust cards with local resources
The ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation works to educate individuals about their rights with police and what to do if they feel they have been racially profiled. New local bust cards are pocket references on what to do when encountering police. These cards now feature information on Milwaukee and Madison resources for people to get help in filing police complaints. More bust cards will be issued soon for other areas of the state. For more information on getting a bust card made for your region or to schedule a Know Your Rights workshop in your area, contact Emilo De Torre at (414) 272-4032 x 23.
Bust card with local contacts for Milwaukee (PDF)
Bust card with local contacts for Madison (PDF)

For more resources and information on the ACLU’s work on police practices across the nation, please visit the national ACLU's criminal justice page.