A majority of the Milwaukee Common Council held a news conference on Tuesday to spell out some ideas of how local laws and programs can change in response to the shooting of Dontre Hamilton.
In April, a now-fired police officer killed Dontre Hamilton at a Milwaukee park, during an altercation. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced on Monday that the officer would not be charged for his role in the incident.
Alderman Willie Wade said an expansion of a plan to have Milwaukee street officers wear body cameras is likely.
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“So as soon as we get a vendor that we’re comfortable, we’re going to expand the use of that camera to the whole department,” said Wade. “And that’s going to be close to a million-dollar expenditure, and we’re looking to take that out of the police forfeiture fund along with other areas.”
Wade said the devices will better protect the community and police.
Other possible changes in Milwaukee include updated diversity training for police, an expansion of the city’s Fire and Police Commission and the creation of a police-community advisory council. Some alderpeople also want the state Legislature to review a recent Wisconsin law aimed at improving investigations of officer-involved shootings.
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