Author: The Badger Project
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Wisconsin cop fired for offering driver cash after crash still working in policing
The Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Department fired Thomas Dammer after he caused a minor collision and didn’t immediately report it. He still works as a part-time police officer in Oconomowoc.
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Pass the butter: State legislators want to tighten Wisconsin’s margarine laws
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is pushing to strengthen limits on margarine. The effort is a reminder of a centuries-old squabble between the butter substitute and the state’s ensconced dairy industry.
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‘Officer Asshole’ – Chippewa Co cop who quit amid probe now at nearby PD
Andrew Straszkowski resigned from the Lake Hallie Police Department on the day of a disciplinary meeting regarding his use of force and insubordination. He’s now working at a nearby police department.
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Ex-Sauk Co jailer charged with 3 felonies for topless photo of female inmate
A former Sauk County Sheriff’s deputy is accused of snapping the photo from the jail’s video surveillance system without the inmate’s knowledge and then sharing it with a colleague.
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The Badger Project asks judge to award lawyer fees after St. Croix County refuses
After initially denying requests, St. Croix County released records regarding a former deputy after The Badger Project sued. But the county has refused to pay the journalism organization’s attorney fees.
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Waushara Co Sheriff’s deputy demotes self after inquiry into job performance
Scott Schaut, who had been the department’s night-shift sergeant, was on an improvement plan when The Badger Project requested those records. He resigned from that leadership position shortly after.
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Wisconsin joins 35 other states to ban phones in classrooms starting next year
Despite his concerns, Gov. Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill requiring public schools to limit the use of cell phones in classrooms.
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The Badger Project settles lawsuit after Racine Co PD releases records, pays $1500
The Badger Project sued the Wind Point Police Department after it denied records requests related to an officer who resigned in 2023. The village agreed to produce what they had and pay attorney’s fees.
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New police chief in Racine County was arrested for drunk driving in 2008
Waterford Police Chief Timothy O’Neill was arrested for OWI during his tenure as a cop in nearby Sturtevant. He said he took full responsibility and used the incident to gain more “compassion and insight.”
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Richland Center PD, Richland Co Sheriff change records policy after our story
Following The Badger Project’s reporting, the Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Office have discontinued a minimum $25 fee for records, which experts said was illegal.
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‘Huge step forward’ – Wisconsin gov signs bills bolstering EMS workforce, funding
Experts say the new laws will strengthen emergency response across the state by funding more educational costs and increasing the payment EMS services get for treating but not transporting patients.
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‘Clearly illegal’: Richland Co Sheriff, city PD charging $25 for all records requests
The law enforcement agencies’ minimum fees, experts say, contradict Wisconsin state law that states any charges for records requests must be tied to a calculation of the actual cost of producing the records.
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Waushara County Sheriff must repay $22k plus interest in K9 stipends, board votes
An investigation from The Badger Project found that Sheriff Walter Zuehlke had continued taking a monthly stipend for years after quitting trainings for his law enforcement dog Argo.
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Bill to increase penalty for impersonating cops advances in Wisconsin Legislature
A bipartisan bill seeks to change the crime of impersonating a police officer from a misdemeanor to a felony. The move comes after several instances in Wisconsin and the killing of a lawmaker in Minnesota.
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Banned statewide, bill allowing traffic cameras in Milwaukee creeps forward
A bipartisan bill in the Wisconsin State Legislature would let the city install traffic cameras to ticket speeders and red light runners. Milwaukee’s top brass has begged lawmakers for the exception.
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Waushara Co Sheriff promoted deputy after lewd photos, other bad behavior
Matthew Elliott resigned from the sheriff’s department last month, just days after The Badger Project requested a 2022 investigation into him propositioning colleagues and sending others lewd photos.
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Ex-Muskego officer accused of sex assault by fellow cop working at nearby agency
Andrew Sundstrom, a former Muskego Police K9 officer, was accused of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, also a cop. He was forced out of the job but not charged and claims the allegations were “manufactured.”
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GOP lawmakers want to include state police in law enforcement bill of rights
Wisconsin is one of many states to protect cops through a bill of rights, but it excludes state-employed police. Some lawmakers want to change that, while critics worry they are receiving special treatment.