Wisconsin Professional Police Association’s Blueprint for Change aims to establish a wearable camera grant

Green Bay, Wisconsin (WBAY)-The death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake have brought police reform into the center of attention.

Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said: “People seem to feel that they need to enter one of the two camps and either they must support social justice or the police.” WPPA).

Earlier this year, Governor Tony Evers signed new laws and regulations for agents who use body cameras, clarifying training practices, how to release videos to the public and retain data.

“In Wisconsin, it’s not clear how long you will need to keep the evidence and how long you will store it; Green Bay Police Commissioner Andrew Smith said, “Because there are 179 police officers running with body cameras. Come and go, so you need to store a lot of video evidence.

According to the law, after recording, data from the camcorder needs to be stored for 120 days. If the video records death, personal injury, or the use of force by a police officer, the video must be kept until the investigation or the court is closed.

These clarifications have led Green Bay City leaders to consider buying more seriously.

"We will include it in the capital budget that will be debated and approved this fall. But of course it depends on parliamentary approval."

Palmer said that the law still has flexibility and there are funding challenges.

He said: "It does not specify how to use them, nor does it provide funds."

The "Blueprint for Change" released by the association last week addressed some of these gaps.

It includes the establishment of a three-year grant program to support agencies in implementing and maintaining body cameras, and hopes to make it easier to use.

Palmer said: "It can really help solve many of the questions people have about the use of force in law enforcement, and it can solve people's concerns."