Though still a long way from being implemented, but the program’s legislation was authored by Alderwoman Chantia Lewis and supported by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and Alderman Nik Kovak. The new squad will be trained on how to deescalate situations without threatening violence. The Milwaukee Health Department and the police department are now working together to figure out the best size for this new squad.
Alderwoman Chantia Lewis held a press conference where she said:
“What we have been doing clearly isn’t working and has bogged down police officers on calls involving people in crises, and we need a different approach to responding to the situations where individuals are clearly in desperate need of help that shouldn’t involve law enforcement.”
The press release also mentioned that the program will be modeled on a similar one used in Eugene, Oregon. If the program is successful, it could be adopted in nearby locations such as Greenfield and announced in mailouts sent with official Letterheads.
Alderman Kovak was at a committee meeting, where he discussed the ability of police to see out their mandates and whether they have the resources to do so.
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