Two great myths about our community in Dane County, Wisconsin are that we live where all races can achieve their American dream and, that we live where community input greatly influences how we are policed.   

When it comes to academic gaps between white children and black children, economic opportunity between whites and blacks, and the incarceration of non-violent black males, Dane County is shamefully leading the nation. 

In 129 years, in Dane County not a single police chief, sheriff or commission ruling can be found where an officer was declared “unjustified” in the taking of a life.  Rarely ever, in those 129 years, have officers been found in the wrong for using excessive force and there are no screening mechanisms in place to ensure they are operating with sound minds and judgement.  When we ask law enforcement to help remedy these insecurities with legal protections for civilians, they take it personally.  

As you read this, law enforcement within Dane County is growing more militant in both training and equipment in a community they are not at war with, not even close.

These contradictions increase and this impossible record of perfection persists at a rate that requires serious bipartisan awareness, education and action.  We do not have time for political games or baby steps.  

The tragedies in Ferguson and elsewhere around the country, including right here in Wisconsin show us that we cannot bet on the good will of individual chiefs, sheriffs and officers to guarantee our safety in the hands of law enforcement.  There must be laws in place requiring our safety and legal protection in the event that an officer uses poor judgement.

We must no longer sit back in fear of the work and risk required to fix the levy while being told, time and again, under no uncertain terms, the tsunami is here.  

To become the caring community we proclaim we are, to actually fulfill Dane County’s potential as all it already claims to be,  we must make changes thoughtfully, swiftly and, now.

Without an agreed upon definition of justice, there will be no peace.  These changes we are asking for simply represent a justice that protects all human life no matter what color we are or badge we wear. 

We are petitioning for all elected officials within Dane county to require all law enforcement within Dane county to:

1.) Engage in community-approved ongoing diversity and sensitivity education with action promising a diversified demographic in all areas of law enforcement.

2.) Cease all involvement with military equipment programs.  

3.) Offer Independent and impartial investigations, reviews and determinations for all officer-inflicted injuries

4.) Require ongoing screening, preventative and responsive support to ensure mental fitness for duty.

5.) Use body and dash cameras with strict, community-supported policy

6.) Require termination for officers found by chief, sheriff, commission or civil court to have used excessive force

7.) Keep and share detailed STATS on any incidents involving harassment and injury.

8.) Develop detailed polls to survey police on leadership and civilians on police and police policy

9.) Stop abusing the Objective Reasonableness Standard, ignoring the use of force continuum and their moral obligations listed within the use of force policy. 

For a more detailed list, read the letter below and please, sign and share this petition.