Today, the Madison Police Department announced that Officer Matt Kenny has been exonerated following the internal investigation of his actions in the fatal shooting of Tony Robinson on March 6, 2015.  The ACLU of Wisconsin has been following the criminal and internal investigations in the killing.  Chris Ahmuty, the executive director of the ACLU of Wisconsin, has made the following statement:

“The Madison Police Department has found that Officer Kenny did not violate departmental policies and procedures when he fatally shot Tony Robinson on March 6, 2015.  Mr. Robinson is the latest in a series of individuals killed by Madison Police.  Since the killing of Paul Heenan on November, 9, 2012 there have been five more killings including Mr. Robinson.  The ACLU of Wisconsin believes that too many killings have taken place, whether or not police officers violated the law or departmental policy."

“The ACLU of Wisconsin believes that either the Madison Police Department’s policies or its internal investigations are deficient.  A recent story in the Wisconsin State Journal pointed out that the Madison Police Department’s standard operating procedure for officer-involved shootings states that 'detailed interviews should be delayed to allow the involved officer time to overcome the initial stress of the incident.’ This procedure should call into question the integrity and accuracy of the internal investigation into Officer Kenny’s conduct.  The internal investigation needs to be investigated to determine whether or not it is credible."

The ACLU of Wisconsin is concerned that the recurring violence carried out by the Madison Police Department will continue, unless the Madison Police Department finds better ways to handle critical incidents.  It calls upon Madison Police Chief Mike Koval, the Common Council, and other city leaders to seriously address these killings.  Another study or 'commission' is not likely to result in meaningful change.  The Madison Police Department needs to change.”

 

 

Photo courtesy of Joe Brusky Photography.