2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
July 14, 2017 - Introduced by Representatives C. Taylor, Goyke, Bowen,
Anderson, Crowley, Berceau, Ohnstad, Sargent, Considine and Kessler,
cosponsored by Senators Johnson and Risser. Referred to Committee on
Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
AB438,1,3 1An Act to renumber and amend 66.0511 (2); and to create 66.0511 (2) (a), (b),
2(c) and (d) and (4) and 165.85 (4m) of the statutes; relating to: law enforcement
3agency policies on the use of force.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires each law enforcement agency to ensure that its publicly
available policy on the use of force incorporates the following principles: that the
primary duty of all law enforcement is to preserve the life of all individuals; that
deadly force is to be used only as the last resort; that officers should use skills and
tactics that minimize the likelihood that force will become necessary; that, if officers
must use physical force, it should be the least amount of force necessary to safely
address the threat; and that law enforcement officers must take reasonable action
to stop or prevent any unreasonable use of force by their colleagues. This bill also
prohibits disciplining a law enforcement officer who reports a violation of a law
enforcement agency's policy regarding the use of force.
This bill also requires the Law Enforcement Standards Board to develop a
model use of force policy for law enforcement agencies. The model policy must
address interactions with individuals with mental disorders, alcohol or drug
problems, dementia disorders, and developmental disabilities; limit the use of force
against vulnerable populations; and include other best practices that LESB
identifies.

For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB438,1 1Section 1. 66.0511 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 66.0511 (2) (intro.) and
2amended to read:
AB438,2,93 66.0511 (2) Use of force policy. (intro.) Each person in charge of a law
4enforcement agency shall prepare in writing and make available for public scrutiny
5a policy or standard regulating the use of force by law enforcement officers in the
6performance of their duties. The law enforcement agency shall provide in its policy
7the instances in which a use of force must be reported, how to report a use of force,
8and a requirement that officers who engage in or observe a reportable use of force
9report it. Each policy or standard shall incorporate the following principles:
AB438,2 10Section 2. 66.0511 (2) (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) and (4) of the statutes are created
11to read:
AB438,2,1312 66.0511 (2) (a) That the primary duty of all law enforcement is to preserve the
13life of all individuals.
AB438,2,1414 (b) That deadly force is to be used only as a last resort.
AB438,2,1615 (c) That officers should use skills and tactics, including de-escalation tactics,
16that minimize the likelihood that force will become necessary.
AB438,2,1817 (d) That, if law enforcement officers must use physical force, it should be the
18least amount of force necessary to safely address the threat.
AB438,2,2019 (e) That law enforcement officers shall take reasonable action to stop or prevent
20any unreasonable use of force by their colleagues.
AB438,3,9
1(4) Whistleblower protections. No law enforcement officer may be
2discharged, disciplined, demoted, or denied promotion, transfer, or reassignment, or
3otherwise discriminated against in regard to employment, or threatened with any
4such treatment, because the law enforcement officer reported, or is believed to have
5reported, any violation of a policy under sub. (2); initiated, participated in, or testified
6in, or is believed to have initiated, participated in, or testified in, any action or
7proceeding regarding a violation of a policy under sub. (2); or provided any
8information, or is believed to have provided any information, about a violation of a
9policy under sub. (2).
AB438,3 10Section 3. 165.85 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB438,3,1311 165.85 (4m) Best practices. The board shall develop, and review at least once
12every 2 years, a model use of force policy for law enforcement agencies that does all
13of the following:
AB438,3,1414 (a) Incorporates the principles under s. 66.0511 (2).
AB438,3,1615 (b) Addresses interactions with individuals with mental disorders, alcohol or
16drug problems, dementia disorders, and developmental disabilities.
AB438,3,1917 (c) Limits the use of force against vulnerable populations, including children,
18elderly individuals, pregnant women, individuals with physical or mental
19disabilities, and individuals with limited English proficiency.
AB438,3,2020 (d) Includes other best practices that the board identifies.
AB438,3,2121 (End)
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