Category: Law enforcement
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WisDOT releases records, pays legal fees after lawsuit from The Badger Project
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation twice refused to release records pertaining to a former State Patrol officer, so The Badger Project sued. Less than two weeks later, the department agreed to release them.
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The Badger Project sues DOT for records in investigation of former state trooper
A former state trooper was “terminated for cause” in 2020, but has continued to work in law enforcement. The Badger Project argues the DOT’s refusal to release documents related to the case is illegal.
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The Badger Project sues St. Croix County for records in ex-deputy investigation
A deputy resigned from the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office before it concluded an investigation into her conduct. The county denied a request for those records, citing concerns over department morale.
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Bipartisan bill to aid recruiting at small police depts stalls after state budget snub
With the total number of law enforcement officers in Wisconsin sitting near record lows, the bill aims to ease staffing shortages with grants to help pay for the training of new hires. But it faces an uphill climb.
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Racine County cop kept job despite DA’s deception claim; she alleges retaliation
The district attorney said Waterford Police Officer Sarah Polka was dishonest during an investigation into her son. Polka said that was untrue and payback for her advocacy of her department.
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Political challenger accuses Waupaca Co Sheriff, local GOP chapter, of blacklisting
More than a year before the GOP primary, a rural Wisconsin sheriff’s race is heating up, with the former and current DAs taking sides.
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‘They don’t know’ – Cop ousted in Racine Co for dishonesty promoted at new dept
A sheriff’s investigation recommended that the Waterford Police Department terminate Nathaniel Schweitzer in 2024. He was recently promoted to sergeant in Big Bend in Waukesha County.
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Milwaukee-area cop resigns after investigation from The Badger Project
Amanda Lang quit the Lannon Police Department after our story noted why she had been forced out of a previous job in law enforcement.
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Fond du Lac Co Sheriff’s deputy quit previous jail job after stealing toilet paper
Coty Hazelett was rehired by the Vilas County Jail after his 2020 resignation, then moved to a similar job in Fond Du Lac County in 2023.
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Vilas Co deputy who quit after drunken street scuffle back at sheriff’s office
Police arrested Brent Wilmot after he fled the altercation in 2021. A superior says the department gave him a second chance in 2024 and he has become one of their “better deputies.”
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Milwaukee-area cop quit last police job after appearing to skip 200+ work hours
An internal investigation found the officer, Amanda Lang, had “displayed a lack of integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.”
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For 3rd time in 4 years, Milwaukee Press Club awards gold to The Badger Project
The first-place award recognizes managing editor Peter Cameron’s investigative reporting on wandering officers, those fired or forced out from previous jobs in law enforcement only to be rehired elsewhere.
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La Crosse Police were the only department in Wisconsin using this ‘unusual practice.’ And it cost taxpayers.
After paying $450,000 to a man involved in a 2020 police confrontation, the department stopped using traffic stops to issue unrelated and outstanding citations last month.
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Wis DOJ reversed decision to release cop names after pushback from police groups
The Badger Project is suing the Wisconsin Department of Justice for the names and work histories of all law enforcement officers in the state.
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‘You wouldn’t call your plumber to fix your teeth’ – Nonpolice response teams may cut crime, save cash, but data limited
Programs that manage stubborn problems like mental health and homelessness, with or without police, are spreading across Wisconsin, and the nation. Early results are promising, experts say.
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From record low, total number of police officers in Wisconsin ticks up 4%
The total number of law enforcement officers in the state has steadily decreased since the Wisconsin Department of Justice started tracking it in 2008. Efforts to reverse that trend may be working, experts say.
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Milwaukee-area police who joined Oath Keepers resigned jobs after The Badger Project investigation
One is now working for a sheriff’s department. The other two are out of law enforcement, according to the state DOJ.
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Milwaukee Co sheriff’s deputy was fired from MPD after domestic violence arrest
Oak Creek Police officers arrested Christopher Romero Sanchez in 2021 when he was a recruit officer in the city of Milwaukee. The DA declined to charge him, and his law enforcement career has continued.